Timbers U-23s to play host to Whitecaps FC U-23s in divisional playoff match July 23

PORTLAND, Ore. — As the second seed in the Northwest Division, the Portland Timbers U-23s play host to the third-seed Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 in a Premier Development League divisional playoff match on Tuesday, July 23, at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, Wash.; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Tickets, priced at $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger, will be available for purchase at the gate.

The Timbers U-23s advance to the postseason after finishing second in the PDL’s Northwest Division with a record of 7-3-4 (25pts) during the regular season. Portland clinched a postseason berth as one of the top three teams in the division on July 12, after drawing Whitecaps FC U-23 1-1 on the road.

The winner of the July 23 divisional playoff match advances to the PDL’s Western Conference Championship, featuring the top two teams from the league’s Northwest and Southwest Divisions.

In 2013, the Timbers U-23s finished the regular season as one of the best defensive teams in the Western Conference. The team allowed just 12 goals in 14 matches, the fewest in the Northwest Division and the second-fewest in the conference.

The Timbers U-23s have qualified for the PDL postseason for the fourth time in five seasons, and reached the Western Conference semifinals in 2012. Portland captured the PDL championship in 2010, becoming the first undefeated champion in the league’s history with a perfect 20-0-0 record during the campaign.

The Timbers U-23s and Whitecaps FC U-23 met twice during the regular season, with Portland capturing a win and a draw. Midfielder/defender Eric Miller recorded a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Whitecaps FC U-23 at JELD-WEN Field on May 23. Earlier this month, forward Zack Foxhoven scored the equalizer to help the Timbers U-23s to a 1-1 road draw against Whitecaps FC U-23.

Whitecaps FC U-23 finished the 2013 regular season in third place in the Northwest Division with a record of 7-4-3 (24pts). With two goals by midfielder Cam Hundal, Whitecaps FC U-23 defeated North Sound SeaWolves FC 4-1 in their regular-season finale Wednesday night, finishing the regular-season on a five-game unbeaten run.