Timbers U-23s battle rivals Kitsap, Vancouver during two-game week

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers U-23s face a two-match week, starting Thursday, when they play host to rival the Kitsap Pumas as part of a Health and Fitness School Day, presented by Providence Sports Care Center, at JELD-WEN Field at 11 a.m. (Pacific).

The Timbers U-23s then take to the road for the first time this season, visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 on Saturday at the University of British Columbia at 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Tickets for Thursday’s match are $5 and are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The day will feature health fair on the concourse at JELD-WEN Field and a special pre-game, on-field presentation led by Providence Health & Services; gates open at 9 a.m.

The Timbers U-23s (2-0-0, 6pts) are coming off a 4-1 victory over Victoria Highlanders FC on May 19, led by a hat trick by forward Mark Sherrod. With five goals scored through the first two games of the season, Sherrod ranks second in the Premier Development League in both scoring and goals scored.

Thursday’s match pits the top two teams in the PDL’s Northwest Division, with both Portland and Kitsap (2-1-0, 6pts) tied with six points. The Timbers U-23s lead the all-time series against the Pumas, with a record of 3-2-1. The two sides last met June 3, 2011, also a Health and Fitness School Day, with the Pumas earning a 3-2 win at JELD-WEN Field.

Saturday’s match is the first of two games this season against Whitecaps FC U-23 (1-1-1, 4pts). The Timbers U-23s own a 4-1-1 record in the series with Whitecaps FC U-23, including a 2-1-0 mark on the road. The two teams will meet again on Friday, June 1, at JELD-WEN Field.

Kitsap opens a stretch of four straight road matches on Thursday and visit Victoria Highlanders FC on Sunday. The Pumas defeated Seattle Sounders FC U23 2-1 at home in their last match on May 19. Forward Ben Truax and midfielder Matt Friesen, the team’s leading scorer in each of the last two seasons, both scored against Seattle.

With 10 days between matches, Whitecaps FC U-23 returns to action Wednesday before taking on the Timbers U-23s on Saturday. Vancouver’s last match was May 13, a 1-1 draw against Highlanders FC.