Returning to league play for the first time since Oct. 29, the Portland Timbers U-16 and U-18 Academy teams each played two away matches this past weekend, facing San Diego Surf and Nomads SC, respectively.
Opening the weekend’s fixtures against San Diego Surf, the U-16s started the match on the front foot when Coby Atkinson scored in the 11th minute of the match, putting the Timbers ahead 1-0. Following a finish from San Diego shortly afterward, Atkinson scored his second goal of the game, giving Portland a 2-1 edge in the 20th minute. However, San Diego managed to score another equalizer, before producing the game-winning goal from a penalty kick in the final minute of the match.
In their second match of the weekend, the U-16s secured three points, defeating Nomads SC 2-0. Bryan Martinez-Serrano put the Timbers ahead in the 28th minute of play, scoring his seventh goal of the season, which ranks as the most on the team. In the second half, Coby Atkinson scored his third goal of the weekend, finishing Martinez-Serrano’s assist in the 68th minute of play, as the Timbers achieved their third win of the season.
In their opening contest, the Timbers U-18s fell 3-0 to San Diego Surf, marking the first time an opponent has managed to keep the U-18s scoreless in the 2016/17 USSDA campaign. Despite the result, Lucas Cini was a constant threat for the U-18s against San Jose, creating several chances to find the back of the net. Facing Nomads SC on Sunday, the U-18s battled the home side to a 0-0 draw, with Cini and Wilterlynd Inalien, who leads the team with eight goals this season, producing several scoring opportunities.
Isaac Homer, Andre Saucedo-Avila named to U.S. U-14 Boys' National Team
Portland Timbers defender Isaac Homer and forward Andre Saucedo-Avila have been named to the United States U-14 Boys’ National Team for the team’s sole training camp in 2016, it was announced today. Set to take place at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center in Carson, Calif., the training camp will run from Nov. 13-20, featuring two intrasquad matches on Nov. 16, as well three matches against U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs on Nov. 19. The U.S. U-14 BNT will face Strikers FC at 3 p.m. (Pacific), LA Galaxy at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) and Real So Cal at 6 p.m. (Pacific).
