PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s open a new in-state rivalry on Saturday when they play host to the Cascade Surge at Kiggins Bowl at 7 p.m. The Timbers U-23s and Surge, based in Salem, Ore., meet for the first time Saturday.
Tickets are available for $10 and can be purchased at the door.
The Timbers U-23s (3-1-1, 10pts) have won three of their last four matches and currently sit in a three way tie for first place in the Northwest Division with the Kitsap Pumas and Seattle Wolves at 10 points. The Timbers U-23s have scored 16 goals through their first five games of the season and pace the PDL, along with the Hollywood United Hitmen and Newark Ironbound Express, in goals scored.
In their last match, Portland captured a 1-0 win over the Tacoma Tide on the road with a first-minute goal by midfielder Matt Van Houten on May 23. Van Houten’s strike helped the Timbers hand the Tide their first home loss since joining the PDL in 2006.
Saturday’s contest between the Timbers U-23s and Surge is the first match of a two-game regular-season series between the two clubs.
The Surge (2-2-0, 6pts) have lost two of their last three matches entering Saturday’s contest against Portland. Cascade will be without the services of goalkeeper Brandon Cave, defender John Swenson and forward Teteh Bangura on Saturday due to a league-imposed, one-game suspension for their red card ejections in the team’s last match on May 23 – a 3-0 loss to the Kitsap Pumas on the road.
Cascade’s roster features goalkeeper Steve Reese, who played for the Portland Timbers first team for two seasons from 2007-08. He made one appearance during his time with the Timbers, entering an exhibition game against Preston North End on July 28, 2007.
Following their match up against Cascade, the Timbers U-23s take off on a two-game road trip to face the Victoria Highlanders on June 5 and the Kitsap Pumas on June 6.
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