PORTLAND, Ore. – A two-goal performance from midfielder Michael Nanchoff helped guide the Portland Timbers Reserves to a second straight victory, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes Reserves 2-1 in an MLS Reserve League match before 1,243 fans on Monday evening at JELD-WEN Field.
The Timbers Reserves and Earthquakes Reserves traded goals in the first 24 minutes of the first half, played under periods of rain and hail. Nanchoff tallied the game’s opening goal in the 14th minute and midfielder Walter Martinez answered 10 minutes later for San Jose. Nanchoff then struck for the game-winning goal directly off a free kick early in the second half, lifting the Timbers Reserves to the 2-1 win.
Nanchoff recorded his first multiple-goal performance of the season and goalkeeper Milos Kocic made four saves, including two in the final 10 minutes, as the Timbers Reserves (3-1-0, 9pts) secured their third win in four games to open the MLS Reserve League season and move into first place in the league’s West Division. Nanchoff has recorded three goals and one assist over the last two games.
Martinez registered his first goal of the season, forward Mike Fucito logged his first assist and goalkeeper David Bingham made two first-half saves in the loss for the Earthquakes Reserves (0-2-0, 0pts).
High pressure by the Timbers Reserves helped set up the game’s opening strike. Nanchoff and midfielder Ben Zemanski were able to win possession of the ball in the Earthquakes Reserves’ defensive third. Nanchoff then set up for a shot from inside the box and hit the ball past Bingham, who was off his line, and into the left side of the goal.
The Earthquakes Reserves pulled level in the 24th minute. Martinez was on the receiving end of a centering pass from forward Fucito, and drilled a shot from 25 yards out into the bottom right corner of the goal, tying the match at 1-1.
The Timbers Reserves broke the deadlock in the 50th minute. Off a re-start approximately 30 yards out from goal, Nanchoff hit a curling ball around the inside of San Jose’s two-man wall and it skipped inside the right post for his second goal of the night, giving the Timbers Reserves a 2-1 advantage.
Nanchoff also made a key defensive play on the goal line in the 10th minute, blocking a bouncing shot from short range by Earthquakes defender Brad Ring off a corner kick.
Bingham left the match in the 41st minute due to an injury sustained while chasing down and clearing away a ball played deep in the left corner; he was replaced by Evan Newton. Before exiting the match, Bingham made a key save in the 28th minute, turning away a half-volley struck by Timbers midfielder Mobi Fehr aimed at the left post.
The Timbers Reserves visit the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves in their next match on Sunday May 19, at UBC Thunderbird Stadium; kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (Pacific).
MLS Reserve League
Portland Timbers Reserves (3-1-0, 9pts) vs. San Jose Earthquakes Reserves (0-2-0, 0pts)
April 15, 2013 – JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary
POR: Nanchoff, 14
SJ: Martinez (Fucito), 24
POR: Nanchoff, 50
Misconduct Summary
SJ: Ring (Caution), 33
SJ: Tommy (Caution), 38
POR: Tucker-Gangnes (Caution), 47
POR: Kawulok (Caution), 54
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Milos Kocic, D Ryan Miller (Anthony Machionne, 90), D Steven Evans, D Ryan Kawulok, D Dylan Tucker-Gangnes, M Ben Zemanski © (James Nosack, 81), M Michael Nanchoff, M Mobi Fehr, F Frederic Piquionne (Christian Desir, 63), F Jose Valencia, F Sebastián Rincón
Substitutes Not Used: GK Jake Gleeson, D Niko De Vera, M Lucas Cawley
TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4
SJ: GK David Bingham (Evan Newton, 41), D Steven Beitashour (Trevor Long, 45), D Brad Ring ©, D Hunter Gorskie^, D Colin Mitchell, M Cordell Cato (Dan Delgado^, 64), M Abu Tommy, M Walter Martinez, M Sam Garza (AJ Gray^, 77), F Mike Fucito (Tommy Thompson, 77), F Adam Jahn
Substitutes Not Used: D Peter McGlynn, F Alexandre Emerson
TOTAL SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
indicates academy player
^ indicates guest player
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
