PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing their final home game of the 2016 PDL season, the Portland Timbers U-23s gave up an early goal and were unable to mount a comeback, falling 1-0 to Washington Crossfire at Delta Park on Saturday night.
Defender Jalen Markey tallied the lone goal of the match for Washington Crossfire (4-4-5, 17pts) after midfielder Alex Roldan sent in a ball from a corner kick that Markey headed over the outstretched arms of Portland goalkeeper Andrew Konstantino and into the back of the net. Konstantino finished the match with two saves, including a diving save to his left on Crossfire midfielder Michael Roberts’ shot from outside of the box in the 72nd minute.
Searching for an equalizer, the Timbers U-23s (2-7-4, 10pts) created a number of scoring opportunities in the second half. In the 59th minute, midfielder Edson Martinez’s cross from the right wing found forward Jordan Jones, who’s right-footed shot just missed the frame. Defender Niko De Vera carried the ball from his own half and fired a shot at Crossfire goalkeeper Saif Kerawala, which he saved in the 68th minute.
Portland’s best goal scoring opportunity came in the 79th minute when first-half substitute Eddie Sanchez avoided several defenders and placed a right-footed shot on goal that forced Kerawala into a diving save to his left.
Up next, Portland play their final match of the PDL season when they travel on the road to go up against Victoria Highlanders FC at the University of Victoria on Sunday, July 17; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
Scoring Summary
WASH: Markey (Roldan), 6
Lineup
POR: GK Konstantino, D De Vera, D Boateng, D Ornstil, D Presscott, M Michaelson, M Gaines, M Langsdorf, F Jones, F Jellah, F Macchione
