This past weekend, several Portland Timbers and Portland Timbers 2 players took part in international matches.
Last Friday. Timbers midfielder Will Johnson started and went 90 minutes against Belize, in Canada's first qualifying match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a match the Canadadians won decisively, 3-0. The Canadians outshot visiting Belize 25-0 in a dominant performance.
Then on Tuesday, in the return leg in Belmopan, the Timbers captain capitalized on a scramble in front of the goal to score a needed equalizer against Belize just before half time. It was Johnson's fifth goal for Canada and first since 2012. The match ended 1-1 with Canada advancing to the next round 4-1 on aggregate.
Like Canada, Jamaica also played in its first World Cup qualifier, losing 3-2 to Nicaragua at the National Stadium in Kingston. Timbers fullback Alvas Powell started and played 76 minutes. Timbers and Timbers 2 forward Michael Seaton did not play in the match.
Jamaica overcame the goal deficit Tuesday night as the Reggae Boyz went to Nicaragua and won 2-0 in Managua. Powell again started and played the full 90 while Seaton was an unused sub on the matchday 18. Advancing 4-3 on aggregate, Jamaica moves on to the next round in qualifying.
Timbers 2 forward Rundell Winchester was called in to camp ahead of Trinidad and Tobago's friendly match against Mexico. While Winchester didn't appear in that match, he looked on as his teammates played to yet another thrilling, high-scoring 3-3 draw with Mexico.
Meanwhile, halfway across the world, Timbers 2 midfielder Tim Payne played the final 13 minutes for his native New Zealand in a 1-1 draw with Myanmar.
