The Portland Timbers U-23s made a first half goal by midfielder Bim Ogunyemi stand in a 1-0 win over the Tacoma Tide in a special Health and Fitness Soccer School Day event, presented by Providence Health & Services, on Tuesday at PGE Park. Including hundreds of Portland-area youth, the 2,247 on hand set a new single-game attendance record for the Timbers U-23s.
Tacoma goalkeeper Scott Barnum recorded seven saves in the contest and forward Rory Agu attempted a team-high three shots, including a missed penalty kick attempt in the 90th minute, in the losing effort. The Tide (0-2-0, 0pts) has lost its first two games to start the 2010 campaign.
The Timbers U-23s took the lead in the 28th minute on a well-placed goal by Ogunyemi. Making his first start of the season, Braun crossed the ball from the right side back into the box for Ogunyemi. With space he one-timed a shot from 15 yards out just under the crossbar for his first strike of the season.
The home side had more of the early chances, but in the 31st minute, the Tide had a good look at equalizing. A free kick placed 30 yards away from goal looked like a likely chance to cross a ball to the back post. Instead, Brayton Knapp, standing over the set piece noticed the Timbers goal keeper cheating to his back post. Knapp, a former University of Portland - Pilot, drilled a bending shot the near post and if not for a sprawling save, would have scored the ball in the upper corner.
Less than a minute later, the Timbers went back on the attack and forward, Roberto Farfan, placed an open shot off the right post for one of his seven shots on the day.
Barnum turned in a productive first half, making six saves, including one midway through the period as he charged off his line to deny a dangerous attempt by vanSchaik from inside the box.
A heavy rain drenched the field late in the first half. The rain and half time substitutions seemed to improve the Tide in the second 45, however, chances still came each way. In the 52nd minute, Abrego split a pair of Tacoma defenders and put a shot from the top of the box off the right post. He tried to put away the rebound, but sent his second effort over the crossbar.
In an effort to create more chances on goal, the Tide went to three forwards in the 80th minute. The change worked in the 86th minute, when the nicest Tide combination of the day came on the left side of the box. Pirotte, Nixon, VanHoosen and Agu all linked up to find Agu on the top of the box but after a nice turn his shot was sprayed wide of the goal.
As the Tide pushed more men forward, they got their payoff in extra time. A well weighted pass from Spencer Schomaker put Mark Conrad into the box on the right side of the penalty area. He was able to beat Timbers midfielder, Jordan Crasilneck, to the ball as Crasilneck lunged. The Timber pulled down Conrad and the Tide had a life-line for away points. Unfortunately for the Tide, it was not their day. Agu stepped up to take the penalty kick attempt in effort to salvage a tie, but put his shot over the crossbar. The match ended 1-0.
The Tide’s next match is the home opener on May 28 at Curtis High School Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30pm. Tickets are just $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be bought online at TacomaTideSports.com or at the gate on gameday.
Tide Starters - GK-Barnum, D-Armitage(45 Conrad), D-Henry, D-Knapp, D-Pirotte, M-Tangney (79 VanHooser), M-Voin, M-Orozco(79 Nixon), M-Cox, F-Sanders(45 Schomaker), F-Agu
Timbers Starters - GK Gleeson, D Granger, D Crasilneck, D Kawulok, D Evans, M vanSchaik, M Braun, M Hasson, M Ogunyemi, F Abrego (Coelho, 68), F Farfan (Cortes-Carillo, 73)
