REDMOND, Wash. – First-half goals from midfielder Steven Evans and forward Erik Hurtado guided the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 3-0 win over Washington Crossfire in their 2012 Premier Development League regular-season finale on Wednesday at Redmond High School.
With the win, the Timbers U-23s (10-4-2, 32pts) finished the regular-season in second place in the PDL’s Northwest Division and will play host to the Kitsap Pumas in a divisional playoff match on Sunday at Gladstone High School at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Facing Washington for a second time in three matches, the Timbers U-23s staked an early lead on Evans’ goal in the 14th minute, set up by forward Mark Sherrod. Evans then initiated the play that led to a 37th minute goal by Hurtado, doubling the Timbers U-23s lead 2-0 heading into halftime. Portland sealed its 10th win of the season in the 63rd minute on a goal from forward Clark Phillips after he beat the goalkeeper to a ball played into a dangerous area by defender Brock Granger, capping the 3-0 victory.
Evans and Phillips recorded their fourth goals of the season, while Hurtado netted his sixth goal on the campaign to lead the Timbers U-23s in the win over Crossfire (8-7-1, 25pts). Goalkeeper Spencer Richey anchored the team’s second shutout its last three matches and fifth overall on the season.
Portland heads into the postseason having won four of its last six regular-season matches.
Notes: The Timbers U-23s and Pumas finished the regular season with identical 10-4-2 records, but the Timbers U-23s claim second place in the PDL’s Northwest Division on the league’s goal differential tiebreaker. The Timbers U-23s finished the 2012 regular season with a +19 goal differential … In addition to Portland and Kitsap, the Northwest Division playoff field also features Seattle Sounders FC U-23 and Washington … With the win over Crossfire, the Timbers U-23s maintain a perfect 4-0-0 in regular-season finales since joining the PDL in 2009 … Portland has posted 10 or more wins in three of its first four PDL seasons … The Timbers U-23s finished the 2012 season series against Washington with a 2-1-0 record and are 5-3-1 all-time against Crossfire … Defender Brock Granger made his season debut for the Timbers U-23s, making his first start since coming back from injury …Forward Mark Sherrod finished the 2012 regular season ranked among PDL leaders in points, goals and shots, while midfielder Cam Vickers finished the campaign tied for third among PDL assist leaders with eight.
Scoring Summary:
POR: Evans Steven, 14
POR: Erik Hurtado, 37
POR: Clark Phillips (Brock Granger), 62
Misconduct Summary:
WAS: Rafael Sanchez (Caution), 81
WAS: Matthew Fisher (Caution), 88
WAS: Conner Moe (Caution), 90
Lineups:
POR: GK Spencer Richey (Keegan Rogers, 81), M Steven Evans (Nicholas Hamer, 64), M Andrew Ribeiro, M William Seymore, M Cameron Vickers (F Emery Welshman, 53), D Brock Granger, D Evyn Hewett, D Anthony Hobbs (Reed Matte, 71), D Eric Miller, F Erik Hurtado (Clark Phillips, 60), F Mark Sherrod (Roberto Farfan, 53)
Subs not used: None
WAS: GK Andrew Holte, M Alex Klein, M Alex Taylor (Solomon Gold, 59), M Kellen Watulok (Sean Klauer, 53), D Matthew Fischer, D Conner Moe, D Jose Ocampo, D Rafael Sanchez, D Uche Ugwoba, F Lelan Matthaeus (Eli Gordley, 68), F Zack Wolfenzon
Subs not used: None
