PORTLAND, Ore. — Playing their third straight game on the road, the North Sound SeaWolves got a strong performance in goal from Keegan Rogers but struggled to generate offense, losing to the Portland Timbers’ U-23 team 2-0 Friday in front of 5,897 fans at JELD-WEN Field.
The crowd was the largest in the Premier Development League this season, beating Fresno’s crowd of 4,617 on May 9.
“It was an amazing atmosphere for our guys to play in,” SeaWolves coach Ed Moore said. “It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to get a better result, but playing these kind of games against tough teams in front of a really big crowd is going to help us down the road.”
Rogers, who played for the Timbers in 2012, made seven saves and was under fire much of the match. He faced 18 shots, 11 in the first half.
The first-place Timbers (4-0) broke a 0-0 tie in the 40th minute on a goal by Clark Phillips. Rogers came off his line to save a shot by Reinaldo Brenes but the ball ended up at the back post and Phillips finished into an open net for this third goal of the season.
Victor Sauto, making his season debut for the Timbers, scored in the 89th minute, firing in a shot from 15 yards out.
Portland goalkeeper David Meves earned his third shutout in four games. The SeaWolves (0-3-1) managed just eight shots.
“This is a challenging stretch for us,” Moore said. “We knew it would be. We just have to keep working, finding the right combinations and continue to play with a lot of effort and confidence.”
The SeaWolves continue their road trip Wednesday, playing the Seattle Sounders U-23 team at 7:30 p.m. at Sunset Stadium in Sumner.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
