ISSAQUAH, Wash. – Playing in their second of four consecutive road matches, the Portland Timbers U-23s battled back from a first-half deficit and forward Jesse Garcia-Aguilar netted the game-tying goal in the 34th minute to help Portland earn a point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Puget Sound Gunners FC at Issaquah High School in Issaquah, Wash., on Sunday afternoon.
The Timbers U-23s (6-1-3, 21pts) conceded a goal early in the first half against Puget Sound Gunners (0-6-4, 4pts) as forward Daniel Gavin scored, getting a touch on a back pass from Portland in the fifth minute. Portland tallied the equalizer later in the first half as former Timbers Academy standout Garcia-Aguilar fired a well-placed shot inside the lower left corner of the net after receiving a pass from defender Niko De Vera to level the match in the 34th minute.
With the draw, Portland extended their unbeaten streak to seven consecutive games (4-0-3). The Timbers U-23s saw their streak of five consecutive shutouts snapped, ending the stretch at 510 minutes without conceding a goal in regular-season play, dating back to June 2. The Timbers U-23s have conceded just six goals through ten matches this season, which ranks tied as the fifth-fewest goals allowed among the PDL’s 63 teams.
Searching for the go-ahead goal, the Timbers U-23s created several chances in the second half, forcing Puget Sound goalkeeper Ian Lambart to make a number of close saves. In the 84th minute, Portland’s Todd Wharton volleyed a shot in the box, but saw it saved. Lambart finished the match with five saves.
Portland finished with a 12-11 advantage in total shots and earned a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks. Timbers U-23s goalkeeper Auden Schilder came up with several key stops for Portland, finishing the game with four saves.
Following Sunday’s match, the Timbers U-23s remain on the road to face Lane United FC at Willamalane Center in Springfield, Ore., on Friday, July 3; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific).
Scoring Summary
PSG: Gavin, 5
POR: Garcia-Aguilar (De Vera), 34
Misconduct Summary
POR: Lewis (Caution), 27
PSG: Gavin (Caution), 45
PSG: McGivern (Caution), 47
Lineups
POR: GK Auden Schilder, D Niko De Vera, D Ezana Kahsay (Castillo, 45), D Dakota Barnathan, D Noah Gaines (Wharton, 62), M Dewey Lewis, M Michael Sperber ©, M Greg Timmer (Moberg, 62), F Sam Werner (White, 69), F Anthony Macchione (Langsdorf, 69), F Jesse Garcia-Aguilar
Subs Not Used: GK Collin Partee
PSG: GK Ian Lambart, D Declan McGivern, D Garret Jackson, D Justin Crichlow, D Robert Hyams (Cook, 70), M Kyle Bjornothun, M Javier Reyes, M Henry Wingo, M Adam Jones, F Dawda Dibba (Troccoli, 65), F Daniel Gavin (Hammond, 81)
Subs Not Used: GK Dec Cameron, D Daniel Smith, M Luke Bunjovac,
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistant Referees: Chris Turrier, John Chu
4th Official: Chuck Sutter
