Timbers U-23s beat Tacoma 2-0

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – A brace from forward Miles Byass and another shutout performance by goalkeeper Jason Dodson helped the Portland Timbers U-23s extend their unbeaten streak to four matches with a 2-0 win over the Tacoma Tide at Clackamas High School on Sunday.

The win marked the fourth and final match for the Timbers U-23s towards qualification for the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Timbers U-23s finished with a record of 3-0-1 in qualification matches and sit in a two-way tie with the Kitsap Pumas through three tie breakers – total wins, goal difference and goals scored – for the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division berth in the tournament. A lottery will be conducted by the league Tuesday to determine which team advances to the tournament.

Byass opened the scoring in the 31st minute on a penalty kick and then capped the night with a strike in the opening minute of the second half. Dodson logged two saves as the Timbers U-23s (3-1-1, 10pts) extended their shutout streak to four straight games; the team has not conceded a goal in 395 consecutive minutes.

Facing its third game in seven days, the Tide (0-2-2, 2pts) was handed its second straight loss. Tacoma received shots from four different players, but was out-shot 17-4 in the match.

Portland grabbed the lead just after the half hour. Byass was clipped from behind inside the box as he broke free towards the goal and the Timbers U-23s were awarded a penalty kick. He finished home from the spot for his third goal of the season, giving the Timbers U-23s a 1-0 advantage in the 31st minute.

Byass, who also scored against the North Sound SeaWolves earlier this week, added to his account with a goal in the 46th minute. From the second half’s opening kickoff, Byass intercepted a pass between Tacoma players and then rocketed a shot from 18 yards out past Tide goalkeeper Jordan Jennings for a 2-0 lead for the Timbers U-23s.

In the closing minutes of the match, Dodson turned in a key save on a shot off a Tacoma corner kick, preserving his clean sheet.

The Timbers U-23s close out their regular-season series with the Pumas on Friday, June 3, at JELD-WEN Field on a Health and Fitness School Day, presented by Providence Health & Services; kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PT). Tickets, priced at $5, will be available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office on match day.

Notes: The last goal allowed by the Timbers U-23s was in their season opener against Victoria on May 7 … With three goals this week, Byass now leads the team with four on the campaign. He also becomes the first Timbers U-23s player to score in back-to-back games this season … The longest consecutive shutout streak for the Timbers U-23s is six games and was set last season … Earlier this week, Dodson was named an honorable mention on the PDL Team of the Week for Week 4, with a shutout against Kitsap on the road May 21 … Tacoma forward Quinton Beasley was a member of the Timbers U-23s in 2010. He started and played all 90 minutes against his former PDL club.

Scoring Summary:
POR: Byass (penalty kick) 31
POR: Byass (unassisted) 46

Lineups:
POR: GK Dodson, D Kawulok, D Gonzalez, D Morris (Tucker, 56), D Hasson (Dorrego, 87), M Ogunyemi (Matte, 56), M Palodichuk, M Evans (Iyoha, 64), M Farfan, F Richards, F Byass (Abrego, 68)

TAC: GK Jennings, D Foss (Kelley, 79), D Arimtage (Vickers, 59), D Pirotte, D Henry, M Wenzel, M Orozco (Grisham, 66), M Bettencourt (Kelly, 83), M Gray, F Tangney (Kearns, 72), F Beasley