TUMWATER, Wash. – Midfielder Todd Wharton netted a second-half brace and the defense registered its fifth consecutive clean sheet, helping the Timbers U-23s extend their unbeaten streak to six straight games with a 2-0 win against Seattle Sounders U-23 on Friday night at Tumwater High School in Tumwater, Wash.
With the victory, the Timbers U-23s (6-1-2, 20pts) moved into first place in the PDL Northwest Division and pushed their winning streak to four consecutive games, dating back to June 13. Portland hasn’t conceded a goal in 505 consecutive minutes since June 2 in a 1-1 draw against Calgary Foothills FC. The Timbers U-23s have conceded just five goals through nine matches this season, which ranks as the fourth-fewest goals allowed among the PDL’s 63 teams.
Facing Sounders U-23 for a second straight match, Portland opened the scoring in the 72nd minute as Wharton converted a penalty kick after Seattle defender Jonathan Campbell was called for a handball in the box on a shot from Portland’s James Moberg. Wharton recorded an insurance goal in second-half stoppage time, finishing a cross from substitute forward Ben White at the right post past Sounders U-23 goalkeeper Paul Christensen. Wharton, Moberg and midfielders Ismaila Jome and Geoffrey Dee each finished with two shots each for the Timbers U-23s as Portland finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots.
Portland finished their regular-season series against Sounders U-23 (4-3-1, 13pts) with consecutive victories, following a 1-0 win over Seattle on June 21.
Defensively, Portland has conceded just one goal in its last six matches, while also earning five straight clean sheets. Making his second start of the season, Timbers U-23s goalkeeper Auden Schilder registered four saves in the shutout against Seattle.
Following Friday’s match, the Timbers U-23s travel to take on Puget Sound Gunners on Sunday, June 28, at Issaquah High School in Issaquah, Wash.; kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
Scoring Summary
POR: Wharton (penalty kick), 72
POR: Wharton (White), 90+
Misconduct Summary
POR: Moberg (Caution), 17
SEA: Reinikka (Caution), 20
POR: Sullivan (Caution), 28
POR: Castillo (Caution), 88
Lineups
POR: GK Auden Schilder, D Sheldon Sullivan, D Devon Fisher, D Dennis Castillo, D Nathan Smith (Gaines, 77), M Geoffrey Dee (Sperber, 69), M Romilio Hernandez (Lewis, 69), M Todd Wharton ©, M Ismaila Jome (De Vera, 77), F James Moberg (Barnathan, 90), F Foster Langsdorf (White, 75)
Subs Not Used: GK Collin Partee
SEA: GK Paul Christensen, D Mark Lee, D Jonathan Campbell, D Matt Reinikka, D Alex De Carolis, M Joran Schweitzer, M Troy Peterson, M Luis Esteves (Hanson, 69), F Florian Valot, F Brandt Bronico (Gjertsen, 64), F Guillermo Delgado (Olsen, 60)
Subs Not Used: GK Jeff Caldwell, D Blake Jones, D Michael King, F Chaffin Satoshi
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Brandon Marshall, Scott Powell
4th Official: Raymond Moffatte Jr.
