PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers U-23s play host to Kitsap Pumas for the first time this season on Saturday, June 28, at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, Wash.; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland (3-4-3, 12pts) is unbeaten in its last three matches with back-to-back victories against Sounders FC U23 on June 15 and Highlanders FC on June 21. The Timbers U-23s have scored a goal in five straight matches and multiple goals in three straight matches, while outscoring their opponents 8-3 during their unbeaten stretch.
Forward Kharlton Belmar has tallied five goals in the last three matches and a brace in back-to-back matches. He currently ranks tied for third in the Premier Development League (PDL) in goal-scoring (7). On Saturday against Highlanders FC, forward Miguel Aguilar became the first Timbers U-23s player this season to tally a goal and an assist in the same game.
The Timbers U-23s recorded a 3-1 victory over Victoria Highlanders FC on June 21 at Alder Creek Middle School in Milwaukie, Ore. Belmar opened the scoring in the 14th minute, tapping in the rebound on a shot by Aguilar, but Highlanders FC equalized five minutes later on a counterattack. Portland reclaimed the lead in the 80th minute on Aguilar’s header off a corner kick, while Belmar sealed the victory with a goal the 90th minute. Defender Hugo Rhoads registered two assists on his debut for the Timbers U-23s.
Portland has a 6-4-5 all-time record against Kitsap. In the last meeting, the Timbers U-23s conceded a pair of first-half goals in a 3-0 loss on May 24 at Gordon Park in Bremerton, Wash. In home matches against Kistap, Portland is 4-2-1 all-time, winning the last two home matches against its Northwest Division foe.
Kitsap (6-0-4, 22pts) comes into Saturday’s match following a 3-1 win against Washington Crossfire on June 21, scoring three goals in the second half. The win extended the team’s unbeaten streak to 14 games dating back to the 2013 season.
Following Saturday’s match, the Timbers U-23s play host to Lane United FC at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. on Tuesday, July 1; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Schedule note: Portland’s regular-season finale, originally scheduled for Sunday, July 13, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore. has been rescheduled for Monday, July 14. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).
