Sounders FC U23 News Release - www.soundersu23.com
Sunday, June 15, 2014
TUMWATER, Wash. – The Sounders U23s’ four-match unbeaten streak was snapped on Sunday afternoon as they fell to the Portland Timbers U-23 3-0. After battling each other to a scoreless first half, three set-piece-scores from the Portland side in the second half earned them the three points.
The Sounders U23 goal was under frequent attack from the Timbers U-23 offense, which troubled the Sounders defenders with size and speed. Though the Sounders attack had some good looks at a score of their own, they could not find a finishing touch in the box.
The Timbers U-23 were the closest to strike first in the 21st minute as forward Miguel Aguilar collected a pass in the right side of the Sounders U23 box. Aguilar cut the ball back onto his left foot and sent a shot through traffic toward goal. Sounders keeper, Jeff Caldwell, was well positioned to block the shot, but he could not collect it. The ball was free inside the six, but Sounders U23 defender, Chase Hansen, was there to clear the danger away and keep the match scoreless.
The Timbers U-23 were threatening again in the 36th minute. This time, forward Kharlton Belmar had run through an attempted clearance by Hansen, and was on his way toward goal. Belmar lined up his shot with one last touch into the box, but then sent the ball sailing over the goal.
As the half came to a close the Sounders U23 were again under attack from the Timbers U-23 offense. The Timbers had been given a free kick just outside the Sounders U-23 box on the left side of the field. The kick was driven in with pace, but Caldwell was able to rise above everyone to punch the ball away from the oncoming attack and the half ended without a score.
The Sounders U23 found their attacking stride in the opening five minutes of the second half. In the 50th minute Chris Wehan ran onto a Jamael Cox through pass into the box on the right side of the goal. Wehan touched the ball toward goal and then sent a sharp low pass across the six. The ball took a deflection and fell for Sounders forward Niko Hansen, but the Timbers defense cut him down before he could send a shot toward goal.
The Portland Timbers U-23 put in their first of three scores a few minutes later in the 58th minute. The Timbers sent a corner kick swinging into the box and Caldwell was off his line again to try to punch it out. However, this time Caldwell got caught up in the mass of bodies and the ball fell for Belmar. After a scuffle in front of the goal as the Sounders defenders tried to clear the danger, Belmar was able to muscle the ball across the line to give the Timbers the 1-0 lead.
The Soundes U-23 appeared to have an equalizer in the 70th minute when the ball fell for Wehan in the box. After Sounders U23 forward Jordan Morris’ shot went deflected, Wehan picked up the loose ball and fired his shot at the face of the goal. The shot had beaten Timbers U-23 keeper, Justin Luthy, but it struck the crossbar squarely and was cleared from danger.
The Timbers U-23 immediately took the clearance and countered up field, ultimately earning a corner. The corner was swung in toward the Sounders goal, and Timbers defender Will Seymore out-leapt the Sounders defense and sent the ball to the back of the net for the 2-0 Timbers lead.
The Timbers U-23 put the game on ice in the 85th minute with their third goal of the half. The Timbers had earned a free kick near the corner flag again on the right side of the field. Timbers defender, David Rose, swung in a left footed kick that found Seymore again. Seymore headed the ball with power first time toward goal, and as it approached the line, Belmar used his body to shield the Sounders defenders and deflect the ball into the net to compete the 3-0 shut out.
The Sounders U23 will look to rebound from the disappointing loss on Friday, June 22 when they’ll take on Lane United FC at Sunset Stadium at 7 p.m. PT. The Sounders U23 will be looking to avenge their 1-0 season opening loss to Lane United in Eugene, Oregon. For information and tickets to Friday’s match up, visit SoundersU23.com.