Portland Timbers U23s 4-0 Spokane Spiders

By: Bob Kellett | May 15th, 2009

Bottom Line: On the same day in which they were added to the roster, Warren Ukah and Miguel Guante helped led the Portland Timbers U23s to a convincing 4-0 over the Spokane Spiders in front of 363 at PGE Park. Ukah opened the scoring in the 13th minute after he took a cross from Avneet Shergill and used his left foot to beat Spokane (1-3-0, 3pts) keeper Joshua Peck. Ukah, who most recently played for USL First Division side Atlanta Silverbacks, added a second goal in the 48th minute on a nifty tun and strike. Guante made it 3-0 in the 51st minute when he scored after being set up by Timbers (1-0-1, 4pts) forward Brent Richards in the box. Mutanda Kwesele capped off the scoring in the 55th minute, converting a penalty after Ryan Youngblood was taken down in the box. The game marks the first of four that will count towards US Open Cup qualifying. The U23s will host the Yakima Reds on Saturday.

Timbers U23s Lineup (I think)
Staples
Erskine Brown Crasilneck Emory (Flunder 64)
Shergil (Hasson 56) vanSchaik (Harms 72) Kwesele (Warner 60) Guante
Ukah (Youngblood 54) Lopez (Richards 45)

Random observations

Far and away the most dominating performance I have seen at PGE Park in a long time. Spokane is a team of community college players. The Timbers had four guys who have suited up in the USL First Division and a number of players playing high level Division One collegiate soccer. Could have been 10-0. The final shot tally, Timbers: 34 Spokane: 3. Wow.
Ukah, who is getting a look from the senior club, didn’t impress me with his speed but his finishing is clinical. He has a strong backside and is good with his back to the goal. He clearly is not a PDL player. I think at this point he could do more for the senior club than Jallow.
The most talented guy on the pitch was Frankie Lopez. Kid can play. I’d like to see him and Brent Richards play together. Richards set up two of the goals and has a knack for creating scoring opportunities
The big difference between PDL and USL-1 is the pace of play. It is a lot slower.
Guante played the full 90 coming back from a leg injury. He looks a little slower but he still is skillful on the ball. Nice to see him out there.
Interesting watching a game at PGE Park with only a couple hundred people in the stands. Reminds me of the early years. The north end was shut off. Dan Zusman was still out there hunting his season ticket prey. Amos Magee was the public address announcer. Gavin Wilkinson watched from a luxury box. It was all a bit surreal.
Avneet Shergill made a lot happen on the right side. Oregon State’s Tracy Hasson is a 5′4″ dynamo.
Your U23s captain is Mutanda Kwesele.
If Ryan Youngblood finished he would have had 7 goals. Interesting watching a guy who played defense for the Timbers years ago now playing forward.

Final Thoughts: Watching the kids play was a blast. Watching them dominate another team and do so in an entirely entertaining fashion was a bonus. We’re going to win the league.

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