Preview: Portland Timbers U23s vs Kitsap Pumas | Timbers U23s Take On Kitsap At Jeld-Wen For Open Cup Berth
By Will Conwell
Portland Timbers U23's (3W-1L-1T) vs Kitsap Pumas (5W-0L-1T)
Friday, June 3rd, 11:00 a.m. Streaming at PortlandTimbers.com
Previous match-up(s): 0-0 @ Kitsap on 5/21/11
The Timber's dreams of Open Cup glory may have been dashed by a cruel San Jose goal in the final minutes of extra time, but some small glimmer of hope remains in the Timbers' U23 Premeir Development League squad. After going undefeated last year the U23s are hungry for glory once again and feature a lineup full of young stars in the making.
An identical record to their rivals, Kitsap Pumas, in Open Cup qualifying would have left the young Timbers fates' to the flip of a coin, but with a league game approaching it was decided to out it all on the line and play for the Open Cup berth.
A playoff atmosphere in front of the Timbers Army will make this the most interesting game of the U23s season and, at $5 for seats anywhere in the stadium, a great opportunity to see some future MLS Timbers Play.
FORMER TIMBERS U23 PLAYERS
Freddie Braun – Portland Timbers
Jake Gleeson – Portland Timbers
Collen Warner – Real Salt Lake
U23 TIMBERS TO WATCH
Nick Palodichuk – Member of the US U20 Men's National Team
Brent Richards – 3 Goals in 3 games
Miles Byass – 4 Goals in 4 games
TIMBERS NEXT 5 MATCHES
6/4 @ Chivas USA
6/11 vs Colorado Rapids
6/19 vs New York Red Bulls
6/25 @ FC Dallas
7/2 vs Sporting Kansas City
BOTTOM LINE
Skip work, come to Jeld-Wen Field, watch the Timbers U23's play their regional rivals for entrance into the U.S. Open Cup.
