Friday, July 6, 2012
CAMAS, Wash. – The Portland Timbers U-23s clinched a playoff berth in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division with a 1-0 win against the Washington Crossfire before 2,056 fans at Doc Harris Stadium on Friday night. Forward Mark Sherrod scored the game-winning goal in the second half to extend the Timbers U-23s’ unbeaten streak to four matches.
The match was physical, featuring two teams contesting for a division playoff berth, but the Timbers U-23s were able to put Crossfire under pressure for most of the contest. Midfielder Nicholas Hamer delivered a sharply-placed cross from the right side to set up Sherrod’s decisive goal in the 69th minute. Washington was able to gain momentum late in the match, but the Timbers U-23s' defense stood firm over the final 15 minutes to preserve the 1-0 win.
With the win, Portland becomes the third team in the Northwest Division clinch a playoff spot and moves into a two-way tie with the Kitsap Pumas for second place in the division standings.
Sherrod tallied his 10th goal of the season, Hamer recorded his first assist and goalkeeper Spencer Richey logged his third shutout to guide the Timbers U-23s (9-3-2, 29pts) to their fourth win in six games. Sherrod becomes just the third Timbers U-23s player in team history to record 10 or more goals in a single season.
Midfielder Zach Hammond attempted a team-high two shots and goalkeeper Andy Holte made four saves in the loss for Crossfire (8-6-1, 25pts). Washington plays host to the Timbers U-23s in the season finale for both teams on Wednesday, July 11.
Scrappy play by the Timbers U-23s in the midfield helped set up the game’s lone goal in the second half. After winning possession of the ball, Portland worked it down the right side to Hamer, who drove down the touchline before whipping in a cross. Sherrod was making a run in on the near post and connected with the ball, driving a header from the top of the goal box past Holte for the score and a 1-0 lead.
Crossfire made a late surge over the final 15 minutes of the match, attempting four of their six second-half shots over the final quarter-hour. Washington appeared to have found the equalizer in the 89th minute, knocking in a shot off a long free kick from midfield. But an offside call on Crossfire cancelled the play and the Timbers U-23s were able to defend their lead until the final whistle.
The Timbers U-23s had the run of play in the first half, putting pressure on Washington’s defense throughout the half and held a 9-1 advantage in shots heading into halftime. Portland had a chance to crack the deadlock in the 20th minute, when midfielder Roberto Farfan smashed a side-winding shot from near the penalty spot off the top left corner of the goal frame.
Portland’s defense held Washington to just single shot in the first half. Richey recorded two saves to earn the shutout, including one in the 17th minute, tipping an open look by Crossfire defender Jordan Burt from inside the box over the crossbar.
The Timbers U-23s play host to the Kitsap Pumas in their regular-season home finale, presented by Billups Worldwide, on Sunday at Hare Field in Hillsboro, Ore., at 6 p.m. (Pacific).