Preseason Ends With Loss to Pumas

The Timbers lost their only game of the preseason with a 3-2 loss to the Kitsap Pumas last night in Bremerton, WA. A back-and-forth match, the Timbers would take a 1-0 lead into the half on Ryan Pore's first goal of the year. Fortune's would change in the 2nd half however, as the Pumas would answer with an early equalizer and the Timbers would soon find themselves a man down after mid-fielder Raul Lopez was penalized with his second caution of the match. Apparently, Lopez was penalized for arguing with the ref and then ejected around the 60th minute after a hard sliding tackle. Kitsap would take advantage, with newcomer Robby Christner scoring two more goals, including the eventual game-winner. The Eugene born, 24-year old Christner is an Oregon State University graduate, who recorded 7 goals and 3 assists his senior year in Corvallis. Christner was also a college teammate of MLS #1 draft pick Danny Mwanga. Always good to see the local have some success...even if it's slightly at our expense.

It should also be noted that despite being down a man, the Timbers managed to score a goal in the 2nd half on a shot by James Marcelin. Quite an accomplishment and all things considering, a good indication that our offense is clicking well.

Still, on a cold night, in front an estimated 175 fans, the Kitsap Pumas earned some measure of revenge after the Timbers ousted them from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup last season in a 3-0 beating. For the upstart Pumas, a second year soccer franchise playing in the lowly USL Premiere Developmental League and located in lonesome Kitsap Country, a small region in northern Washington, whose largest city is Bremerton, a gray, bitter, graveyard of town, who's number one claim to fame is a historic naval shipyard, this exhibition victory could in fact, be considered one the biggest wins in the franchise's short history. Seriously. That's how big-time the Timbers are.

All-in-all a good effort by the Timbers even though they'll have some kinks to work out heading back to training camp on Monday. The regular season kicks off on April 17th against the Rochester Rhinos, Saturday evening at PGE Park. Be there.




There were almost as many Timber fans as Puma fans at Bremerton Memorial Stadium - Smoke Bomb after Pore's Goal!







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