Byass brace helps Timbers U-23s in win over Tacoma

TACOMA, Wash. – A pair of goals from forward Miles Byass and a strike from forward Ricky Abrego guided the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 4-1 victory over the Tacoma Tide at Stadium High School on Wednesday night.

Opening a stretch of three road games in five days, the Timbers U-23s scored three of their four goals in the second half to defeat the Tide for the second time this season. With the win, the Timbers U-23s move back into second place in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division.

Byass recorded his second two-goal performance this season, Abrego tallied his second goal and midfielder Steven Evans scored his first goal of the campaign to help the Timbers U-23s (4-2-1, 13pts) to their third win in four games.

Portland goalkeeper Garrett Staples was on his way to his second shutout of the season until Tacoma (1-3-3, 6pts) converted a penalty kick midway through the second half.

The Timbers U-23s took a 1-0 lead into halftime on Byass’ first goal of the night, connecting with a free kick from defender Ryan Kawulok.

In the opening stages of the second half, a corner kick from defender Tracy Hasson led to Byass’ second goal and Abrego scored off a feed from forward Brent Richards to lift the Timbers U-23s to a 3-0 lead. Tacoma was then able to pull one back on a penalty-kick goal near the 70th minute. The Timbers U-23s tacked on a fourth goal on a penalty kick by Evans with less than 10 minutes left in the contest.

The Timbers U-23s travel to British Columbia this weekend, facing the Abbotsford Mariners on Saturday at 2 p.m. before visiting the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency on Sunday at 3 p.m., to close out their three-match road swing.

Notes: The Timbers U-23s remain unbeaten on the road in 2011, with a record of 2-0-1 … With two goals against Tacoma, Byass becomes the Timbers U-23s’ leading scorer this season with six goals in six matches. Four of his six goals this season have been scored against the Tide … Both of Abrego’s goals this season have come on the road. His first was part of a 6-0 road victory over Washington on May 15 … After joining the team late last week, defender Andy Hackbarth made his Timbers U-23s debut as a second half sub, while forward Erik Hurtado earned his first start.

Timbers U-23s Starting XI: GK Staples, D Matte, D Kawulok, D Tucker, D Hasson, M Palodichuk, M Evans, M Iyosa, F Richards, F Byass, F Hurtado