PDL Game Report
Saturday, May 17, 2014
SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Puget Sound Gunners FC defender Michael Dodds’ goal in the 60th minute of the club’s 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers U-23s was significant for two reasons. First, the goal represented the Gunners’ first of the 2014 PDL season; and second, it signified the beginning of a new era for the club, officially making its Issaquah-area debut.
The former North Sound SeaWolves impressed in their May 17 season opener at Mount Si High School, despite the fact the team had only trained together a few times.
“Considering that we’ve only had three training sessions together, I thought the team came together well,” Dodds, a Barry University standout, said. “We weren’t lucky enough to come away with a win, but a draw is satisfactory against the Timbers.”
The Gunners’ lack of familiarity with each other showed in the first half, as they struggled against the Timbers’ attack, head coach Jimmy Ball said.
“The first half was a bit scruffy, but we expected that,” Ball said. “They’re still getting to know each other and understanding their teammates’ habits and movements.”
The start of the second half was a largely different story, though, as the Gunners came out and had the Timbers on the ropes for most of the first 20 minutes. Dodds’ goal came in the 60th minute, after he headed in Justice Duerksen’s corner kick.
“There was nobody marking me and I had a good jump on the ball.” Dodds said. “It was clear as day, so I just put it straight past the goalkeeper. I was delighted.”
The Timbers responded just 10 minutes later, as Fatai Alashe found the goal in the game’s 70th minute.
“We broke down once and they scored, so we were a bit disappointed in the locker room to be truthful,” Ball said. “We think we gave them a goal there.”
Overall, though, Ball said he was pleased with the team’s first game. Not only did the draw earn a point, the team also learned a lot about each other, he said.
“I think it shows that we have a lot of potential,” he said. “To put in a performance like that after three practices, was very, very good. We showed a lot of camaraderie, a lot of togetherness and they don’t even know each other.”
The Gunners next play Sunday, May 25 against the Sounders U23 at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner, Wash.