Timbers Development Update: Nov. 26, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers Academy teams head to Lakewood Ranch, Fla., this weekend to participate in the annual U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase. The marquee event will feature all 80 Development Academy clubs playing 240 non-conference matches from Friday through Tuesday, Dec. 4. 

At the Winter Showcase, the Timbers Academy teams will face the Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire academy sides as well as FC DELCO from Downingtown, Pa. Both the Timbers U-18 and U-16 Academy teams will play their matches during the showcase at the Premier Sports Complex. 

The Timbers U-18 Academy heads to Florida having won two of their last three matches and currently sits in fifth place in the Northwest Division with a record of 3-4-2 (11pts). The Timbers U-18s open play in the Winter Showcase on Friday against the Houston Dynamo U-18 Academy. They will take on FC DELCO on Saturday and finish Monday, Dec. 3 against the Chicago Fire U-18 Academy. 

Timbers U-18 Academy Winter Showcase schedule: 
Friday, Nov. 30 – vs. Houston Dynamo U-18 Academy; 11:15 a.m. (Pacific) 
Saturday, Dec. 1 – vs. FC DELCO; 8 a.m. (Pacific)
Monday, Dec. 3 – vs. Chicago Fire U-18 Academy; 6 a.m. (Pacific)

The Timbers U-16 Academy enters the Winter Showcase with a 4-1-4 (17pts) record and is in third place in the Northwest Division. Coming off two straight victories, the Timbers U-16s face the Houston Dynamo U-16 Academy on Saturday before playing FC DELCO on Sunday. The team wraps up its stay in Florida against the Chicago Fire U-16 Academy on Tuesday, Dec. 4. 

Timbers U-16 Academy Winter Showcase schedule: 
Saturday, Dec. 1 – vs. Houston Dynamo U-16 Academy; 1 p.m. (Pacific)
Sunday, Dec. 2 – vs. FC DELCO; 11 a.m. (Pacific) 
Tuesday, Dec. 4 – vs. Chicago Fire U-16 Academy; 6 a.m. (Pacific)

In conjunction with the Winter Showcase, the U.S. U-17 National Team will play host to the 2012 Nike International Friendlies, where they will play Brazil, Portugal and Turkey. 

Timbers U-23s players help college teams advance to Elite 8 of NCAA tournament
Over the weekend, Timbers U-23s-led teams Creighton University and the University of Louisville earned wins in the Round of 16 to advance to the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament. 

Timbers U-23s players Andrew Ribeiro and Eric Miller helped Creighton get past Akron on the road, earning the win in a penalty-kick shootout following a 1-1 draw. Ribeiro played the full 110 minutes through regulation and overtime and assisted on the game-tying goal. He also converted his penalty kick in the second round of the shootout. Creighton next plays No. 4 seed Connecticut on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. (Pacific) for the chance at a return trip to the NCAA Men’s College Cup. 

Timbers U-23s defender Brock Granger and Louisville recorded a 2-1 win over Northwestern at home. Granger has started each of the Cardinals’ two tournament matches, helping the defense limit opponents to a combined 14 shots and one goal. Louisville travels to take on No. 2 seed Maryland on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. (Pacific).