Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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 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.