PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers received a second-half goal from forward Jose Valencia to defeat English Premier League side Norwich City FC in an international friendly before 18,553 fans at JELD-WEN Field on Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first half, the Timbers cracked the deadlock less than 10 minutes into the second. A giveaway by Norwich City led to a counter for the Timbers and midfielder Kalif Alhassan played the ball to Valencia on an open run down the left side. Valencia, who struck the right post earlier in the half, one-timed a rolling shot that beat Norwich City goalkeeper Carlo Nash inside the far post.
Portland goalkeepers Milos Kocic and Jake Gleeson each played a half and combined for five saves to record the shutout.
The Timbers finished their slate of international friendlies in 2013 with a pair of victories, also defeating Mexican first-division side Monarcas Morelia, 1-0, on July 3 at JELD-WEN Field. Wednesday’s match marked the third and final stop on a preseason tour to the United States for Norwich City as it prepares for the upcoming 2013-14 Premier League campaign starting in August.
The Timbers and Norwich City each had a shot hit off the woodwork in the first half. Portland’s Alhassan was on the receiving end of a pass from inside the box from Rodney Wallace and found the right post with a shot in the ninth minute.
New Norwich City midfielder Nathan Redmond attempted a team-high four shots, placing three on goal in the first half. A quick shot from distance by Redmond in the 38th minute was tipped by Kocic and deflected off the crossbar.
In the opening minute of the second half, Valencia struck a right-footed shot from the top of the arch that beat Nash, who finished the night with five saves of his own, but rang off the right post. The two clubs combined for 23 shots, 11 of which were put on frame.
The Timbers return to league play Saturday as they visit the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday’s match will be televised on ROOT SPORTS, with live radio broadcasts available on 750 The Game and in Spanish on La Pantera 940AM.
International Friendly
Portland Timbers vs. Norwich City FC (England)
July 24, 2013 – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Norwich City FC 0 0 0
Portland Timbers 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
POR: Valencia (Alhassan), 52
Misconduct Summary
POR: Powell (Caution), 17
POR: Zemanski (Caution), 28
POR: Danso (Caution), 54
NCFC: R. Bennett (Caution), 91+
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Milos Kocic (Jake Gleeson, 45), D Alvas Powell, D Rauwshan McKenzie, D Futty Danso (Andrew Jean-Baptiste, 75), D Ryan Miller, M Ben Zemanski, (Jack Jewsbury, 63) M Kalif Alhassan, M Will Johnson (Steven Evans, 45), F Jose Valencia (Michael Harrington, 71), F Ryan Johnson (Sal Zizzo, 45), F Rodney Wallace (Sebastián Rincón, 45)
Substitutes Not Used: None
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Valencia, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Valencia, 4); FOULS: 21 (McKenzie, 4); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 5 (Kocic, 3)
NCFC: GK Carlo Nash, D Russell Martin, D Steven Whittaker (Daniel Ayala, 71), D Jonny Howson, D Ryan Bennett, M Nathan Redmond, M Wes Hoolahan (Jacob Buttersfield, 70), M David Fox, Elliot Bennett, F Robert Snodgrass (Josh Murphy, 76), F Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Luciano Becchio, 70)
Substitutes Not Used: GK John Ruddy, GK Mark Bunn, D Adel Gafaiti
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Redmond, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Redmond, 3); FOULS: 15 (Remond, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 5
Referee: Younes Marrakchi
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Colin Arblaster
4th Official: Ronald Lagraff
Attendance: 18,553
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Clear, 90 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
