The Timbers Academy U-14 and U-13 teams hit the road for their longest away trip of the season to date to compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Showcase Nov. 3-5 in Oceanside, Calif., against MLS academies and other elite club teams.
The Timbers U-13s assembled a 1-1-1 record at the showcase. In the first of two matches on Nov. 3, the Timbers U-13s played the Colorado Rapids Academy to a 1-1 draw on Alexander Borst’s ninth-minute goal. After a loss to LAFC, the team responded with a 2-0 victory over Real SoCal on Nov. 4; Bryan Rodriguez and Gunder Miller each notched goals. The shutout against Real SoCal capped a standout performance from goalkeeper Zack Andoh during the Showcase.
The Timbers U-14s faced the LAFC and LA Galaxy academies and San Diego Surf in their matches at the Showcase. After losses to LAFC and LA Galaxy, the team recorded a 2-1 victory over San Diego Surf on Nov. 5. Julian Rivas tallied a brace against the Surf, scoring in the 29th and 48th minutes, to help the team close out the showcase with a win.
A little closer to home, the Timbers U-17 Academy (4-5-1, 13pts) went on the road and earned a 1-1 result against Crossfire Premier U-17s in Kirkland, Wash., on Nov. 4. The Timbers U-17s took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute on a goal from Josh Darius. Portland’s defense kept the home side off the board until the final minutes, when Crossfire found the equalizer in the 86th minute. Darius has a team-leading five goals in his 10 games played this season.
The Timbers U-19 Academy (5-4-1, 16pts) had a four-game unbeaten streak snapped in a 3-1 road loss to Crossfire Premier U-19s on Nov. 4. Forward Giovanni Calixtro scored his first goal of the season to give Portland a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. Crossfire then responded with three unanswered goals to secure all three points.
