Timbers U-23s fall 1-0 to Crossfire on the road

REDMOND, Wash. – Midfielder Matthew Sarett scored the game’s lone goal as the Washington Crossfire defeated the Portland Timbers U-23s 1-0 on Wednesday night at Redmond High School. It was the first loss of the season for the Timbers U-23s, ending their season-opening unbeaten streak at five games.

Sarett tallied the decisive goal in the 70th minute off a pass from midfielder Nik Besagno. The goal by Crossfire was just the second goal allowed by the Timbers U-23s defense this season and the first since May 18, ending the Timbers U-23s’ recent run of shutout play at 362 minutes.

The Timbers U-23s (4-1-1, 13pts) remain in first place in the Premier Development League’s Northwest Division. Wednesday’s match was Portland’s third in six days.

Sarett’s first goal of the season gave Washington (1-2-1, 4pts) its first win of the 2013 campaign.

The Timbers U-23s nearly took the lead just before halftime. Forward Clark Phillips had a header off a corner kick rattle off the goal frame and Portland’s follow-up effort was cleared off the goal line.

The Timbers U-23s continue their current four-game road stretch Sunday against the Sounders FC U-23 at Tumwater High School in Tumwater, Wash., at 2 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday’s contest marks the midway point for the Timbers U-23s in the regular season.

Notes: The Timbers U-23s have allowed just two goals through their first six matches of the regular season, the fewest in the Northwest Division and tied with the Fresno Fuego for the fewest in the Western Conference … The Timbers U-23s are 5-4-1 in the all-time series against Crossfire … Portland is 1-1-1 in its three road matches this season.