PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s play host to Sounders FC U-23 on Tuesday in their 2013 Premier Development League regular-season finale at Southridge High School in Beaverton, Ore.; kickoff is 7 p.m. (Pacific).
The Timbers U-23s (7-3-3, 24pts) sit in second place in the PDL’s Northwest Division and are one of three teams in the division advancing to the postseason, along with Victoria Highlanders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23.
Tuesday’s match will be the Timbers U-23s third match in five days as the team recently completed a two-game road trip to British Columbia to face Vancouver and Victoria. After a 1-1 draw against Whitecaps FC U-23 on July 12, the Timbers U-23s defeated division-champion Highlanders FC 2-1 on July 13 with a pair of second-half goals.
The Timbers U-23s are 4-2-0 at home during the regular season and have allowed a division-low five goals. Overall, the 11 goals allowed by the team’s defense are the fewest in the division, and goalkeeper David Meves is tied for the PDL-lead with six shutouts.
The Timbers U-23s and Sounders FC U-23 meet for the third time during the regular season, with Portland capturing wins in both of the previous matchups. Eric Miller and Zack Foxhoven both scored in a 2-0, season-opening win over Sounders FC U-23 on May 16 at JELD-WEN Field. Foxhoven then scored the game-winner in a 1-0 road victory over Sounders FC U-23 on June 9.
Sounders FC U-23 (4-5-4, 16pts) are in fourth place in the Northwest Division, and Tuesday also will mark their final match of the 2013 regular season. Sounders FC U-23 played the Kitsap Pumas to a 3-3 draw in their last match July 13, behind a brace from Max Estrada. Sounders FC U-23 is winless in their last five matches and are looking for their first road win of the season.
Following Tuesday’s match, the Timbers U-23s will travel to Eugene, Ore., to play a friendly match against Lane United FC at South Eugene High School at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets, priced at $8 for adults and $5 for kids, will be available for purchase at the gate.
