Timbers Development Update: Oct. 15, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers Academy teams head back out on the road for a match against Real Salt Lake-AZ Academy on Saturday at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Ariz. The U-18s kick off at 10 a.m. (Pacific), while the U-16s kick off at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Both Timbers Academy teams played their first home matches of the season in their last matches Oct. 6-7, with each team extending its respective unbeaten streak. 

The Timbers U-18 Academy (1-2-2, 5pts) extended their current unbeaten streak to three games with a 1-1 draw against Real So Cal on Oct. 6 and a 1-0 win over Arsenal FC on Oct. 7. Midfielder Foster Langsdorf (Vancouver, Wash.) factored in the scoring in both matches, first scoring the equalizer against Real So Cal before then being taken down in the box against Arsenal FC to set up the game-winning goal on a penalty kick. 

The Timbers U-16 Academy (2-0-3, 9pts) is on a five-match unbeaten streak to open their season. The team has won two of its last three games, including a 3-2 victory over Real So Cal on Oct. 6. Forward Alejandro Segovia (Beaverton, Ore.) has scored in two straight matches, including the equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal FC on Oct. 7

With a break in league play, the Timbers U-16s played an exhibition over the weekend against McKay, a local youth team from Salem, Ore., who recently won the Socio MLS U-18 tournament. Additionally, the Timbers ODP Pre-Academy ’97 boys played an exhibition against the U-16 Socio MLS-winners, the Jetz from Hillsboro. Both matches were held at Horizon Christian School in Tualatin, Ore.

Timbers U-23s’ Miller sees action with U.S. U-20 National Team
Timbers U-23s defender/midfielder Eric Miller and the U.S. U-20 National Team opened play in the 2012 Marbella Cup in Spain last week and wrap up cup play Tuesday. 

Miller, currently in the middle of his sophomore season at Creighton University, came on as a second-half sub in each of the first two cup matches. He played 21 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Canada on Oct. 10 and then saw 27 minutes of action in a 2-0 shutout win over Scotland on Oct. 12. 

The U.S. U-20s face Azerbaijan in their third match of the tournament Tuesday at the Marbella Football Center at 8 a.m. (Pacific). 

Timbers U-23s’ Evans, Hurtado share goal-scoring lead in West Coast Conference
Timbers U-23s midfielder Steven Evans (Troutdale, Ore.) and forward Erik Hurtado (Beaverton, Ore.) continue to lead the NCAA’s West Coast Conference in goal-scoring. Evans, a junior at the University of Portland, and Hurtado, a senior at Santa Clara University, have each tallied nine goals this season and are tied for fourth in the nation in goals scored.  

The two standouts went head-to-head over the weekend at Merlo Field in Portland in a dramatic match between the two schools. The two players factored in each goal scored in the 3-2 overtime win for Santa Clara. Evans tallied both goals for UP, while Hurtado also scored two goals and provided the game-winning assist in overtime.