Timbers 3-0 U of Portland

Goals from Kreamalmeyer just before half time, Miranda on 52' and McAthy on 90'.

A bit more later, but those are the bare bones.

Coach Agnello started today's pre-season game at Merlo Field with a 4-4-2 formation. Drew McAthy and Oral Bullen were given the forward duties with a midfield of Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Tommy Poltl, Edwin Miranda and Luke Kreamalmeyer. Defence: Goodfellow, Thompson, Morrison and Nsien.

The first half was a pretty evenly matched game with few chances at either end. The main points to be noted are that both Hugo and Edwin were outstanding, looking fit and eager.

The forward pairing didn't seem to come off although McAthy got an early chance when Hugo's cross from the right reached him at the far post, but his header went into the side netting.

The Timbers did go into half time ahead however thanks to the same move. Miranda out to Hugo and his cross was put away by Luke Kreamalmeyer at the far post.

The second half was where the Timbers really took the upper hand. Troy Ready replaced Oral Bullen and Agnello switched to a 4-5-1 with Kreamalmeyer and Miranda switching sides to support Hugo and Ready where needed.

52' and Troy Ready (who impressed today - was quick, had a nice turn, and a swift low shot) played the ball into McAthy and his knock down was into the path of a deadly Miranda and his blast from just inside the box beat the UofP keeper. 2 - 0

A nice steal by Drew McAthy on 55', but his shot from 20yds was straight at the keeper.

The Pilots had a chance on about 61' with a player in on Josh Saunders, but the Timbers keeper was down to block the incoming player and the follow up was put over the bar.

Troy Ready had a nice chest trap and shot on target on 70' and McAthy nearly managed to chip the oncoming keeper on 85'.

Randolph replaced Nsien on 88' and in stoppage time a Pilot's defender gave the ball away to Alcaraz-Cuellar and his perfect curling cross was put in by McAthy from 5yds.

3-0 Timbers.

A pretty nice performance by the Timbers particularly second half. Outstanding players for me included Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar, Edwin Miranda and Michael Nsien. No Byron Alvarez today as he was dealing with the aftermath (paper-work) of a car accident on Thursday (no injury to Byron luckily).

The only off-the-pitch news I picked up was that a resolution on Timbers radio presence should be due soon...it is only a week away from the Vancouver trip after all!

[more later - I'm cookin' dinner!]