—by Lucas Grzybowski

A week late and a US Open Cup berth short, here's a little video I got from the Timbers U23 vs Kitsap Pumas match last Friday, June 3. Timbers came out rather flat — perhaps more accurately Kitsap came out full-bore — and fell behind 0-2 in the first half.

Kitsap's second goal was, it must be admitted, pretty sweet. Brent Richards-esque, one might say, from former flounder Nik Besagno. Sarah Alley caught the moment in this great photo:

Brent Richards Himself got one back for the U23 early in the second half, but the Timbers were never able to properly defend the set piece all day: all three of Kitsap's goals came following set pieces. Even with a man advantage (which should have been a two-man advantage after Ricky Abrego was taken down in the box by the last defender), Timbers U23 were unable to get over the hump. Miles "Bypass" Byass missed the resulting penalty (and the point-blank rebound, maddeningly), and a late goal from Nick Palodichuk (who had a very nice game) wasn't enough. A 2-3 loss in front of nearly 5,000 fans (a U23 record), and Timbers fail to qualify for the USOC for the third year running. On top of that we now sit nine points behind Kitsap (with one game in hand) for first place in the PDL NW Division.

The next U23 home game is Saturday June 18 at Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, WA. There's no conflict with the Elder Timbers, and from all reports Kiggins is a fantastic place to take in a game (I've missed the match up there the past two years).

Onward, Rose City!