Saturday, June 2, 2012
TUMWATER, Wash. – The Sounders FC U23 defeated the Portland Timbers U-23s 1-0 in dramatic fashion on Saturday night as a stoppage time by Sounders U23 forward Jamael Cox handed his side victory against their Cascadia rivals. Goalkeeper Doug Herrick stepped up big for the Sounders U-23 to keep Portland off of the board, handing the Timbers U-23s their first defeat of the PDL season.
The rivalry match was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 1,300 at Tumwater High School. Supporters from both sides made their way out to cheer on their team. The Sounders looked to be off to a dream start as the ball fell to Aodhan Quinn in the second minute just outside the penalty area. He gathered the ball and rifled a shot on goal, but it wen straight at Portland goalkeeper Spencer Richey.
Shortly after, a long throw-in by Portland into the Sounders U23 penalty area was headed toward for the corner of the goal, but Herrick was able to make his first of what would be many outstanding saves on the day. Sounders U23 came close in the 19th minute when Quinn was able to pick up the ball at midfield and slot a looping pass through the Portland defense to a diagonally-running Fernando Monge, who had a great look at goal but could not beat Richey.
For much of the first half both teams struggled to create chances on goal. In the 26th minute Portland’s Roberto Farfan crossed a free kick into the Sounders U23 penalty area, but the defense stood strong and was able to clear the threat. As the half was winding down Sounders U23 forward Sean Okoli earned a free kick for just outside the right side of the box as he held off two Portland defenders. However, the cross was taken right into the one-man wall and the chance went wasted.
The Sounders U23 had one more chance at goal in the 45th minute as DeAndre Yedlin made a run up the sideline from his right back position to whip a cross into the box where two green jerseys were making a run. The Portland defense held strong and won the ball in the air for the clearance, leaving the game scoreless at the break.
Early in the second half the Timbers U-23 were knocking on the door as a free kick was given in the 48th minute just outside the Sounders U23 penalty area in the center of the field. The five-man wall stood tall as the kick was taken directly into it, and then cleared out of danger.
The Sounders U23 went the other way with the ball down the right sideline, and after some great close-quarters one-two passing between the Sounders U23 midfielders, Monge was sprung into the penalty area with a look at goal. He hit his shot which prompted a diving effort from Richey, but sailed just over and wide of the target.
For most of the rest of the game the Sounders U23 survived several good attacking chances by the Timbers U-23s. In the 52nd minute the ball was picked up at the top of the box by Portland forward Erik Hurtado, who was able to beat his defender and send a shot toward goal. Herrick came up with a huge save getting just enough of the ball to send it wide of the post. Herrick came up big again for his team in the 57th minute as he came racing out of his goal to punch away a Portland corner with authority.
The attacks on the Sounders U23 goal kept coming in the 72nd minute as Hurtado broke loose behind the defense and tested Herrick again, but again the Sounders goalkeeper was up to the challenge and knocked the shot wide. The last great chance for Portland came in the 87th minute as a good through-ball raced through the Sounders U23 defense to Mark Sherrod, who wound up to strike the ball on goal. Sounders U23 defender Anthony Arena slid in and knocked the ball away just in time for a goal-saving tackle.
With the game still knotted at 0-0 entering stoppage time, it looked as though the teams were headed for a scoreless draw. Then, Sounders U23 forward Facundo Dipasquale was able to bring down a long kick from Herrick and slide it past the Portland defense to a streaking Cox, who rocketed a shot past the Richey for the deciding goal.
The win puts the Sounders U23s in a tie for second with the Kitsap Pumas in the PDL Northwest Division standings with 12 points. The Portland Timbers U-23s remain in first place with 15 points. The Sounders U23 are back on the field Friday June 8th, when they host the Washington Crossfire at 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Pierce High School. Tickets will be available at the gate, and also at SoundersU23.com.