US Open Cup: Kitsap Pumas v. Portland Timbers

The second round of the US Open Cup takes place on Tuesday night in Bremerton, Washington as Kitsap Pumas will host Portland Timbers for the right to play Seattle Sounders in the third round. Kitsap of course lost to the Timbers in the Open Cup last season but did defeat Portland in a pre-season friendly at Bremerton Memorial Stadium in early April. More recently Pumas lost 3-0 to the Timbers U-23 side that is currently undefeated in PDL competition.

It is quite obvious that another loss in Bremerton would be a completely and utter disaster for the Timbers. Hosting the Sounders last season drew the largest crowd in years and despite the 2-1 loss, was a major moment in the city in 2009. Even with a struggling side this year, another date with Seattle at PGE Park would be a massive draw and a chance to exact revenge on the Cascadia rivals from up north.

So the Timbers must play well against Kitsap. Gavin Wilkinson rested several starters, some of whom did not even travel, for the Minnesota away match on Saturday. Expect to see a full-strength side (whatever that means in this year of the try-out) from the Timbers with nothing but a comprehensive victory in mind.

Kitsap have only lost once this season, in the aforementioned rout by Timbers U-23. In their six victories Pumas have allowed just two goals and of course forward Robbie Christner, an Oregon State grad, recorded a brace against the Timbers first team in that April exhibition. Presumably the defense at the PDL level is not up to par with the first team Timbers, but Portland should still expect an offensive assault from Pumas, particularly if the game is close in the final fifteen minutes.

Category: Portland Timbers, US Open Cup