The Portland Timbers and the Sonoma County Sol would meet for the second year in a row in Lamar Hunt US Open Cup action, this time in Portland instead of in California, but the result was the same as the Timbers won 3-0 for the second year in a row and advance to face the Kitsap Pumas. Alex Nimo, Takayuki Suzuki, and James Marcelin would all score for the Timbers, while Steve Cronin recorded the shutout. Sonoma County compete in the National Premier Soccer League as an amateur team.
The Timbers were able to control possession right from the start, and it didn’t take them long to get their first good chance, with Ryan Pore turning at the top of the Sonoma County box, with his shot being blocked by the Sol defense, and just past the foot of a charging Takayuki Suzuki. Three minutes later, off a cross from Alex Nimo, forward Mandjou Keita gave the Timbers another good scoring chance as he trapped then side volleyed a shot from 12 yards out that slipped just past the right post.
For a full report, go to SoccerCityUSA.com
Lineups:
POR: GK Cronin, D Joy, D Danso, D Smith, D Thompson, M Farber (Lopez, 55), M Nimo (McManus, 86), M Marcelin, M Suzuki, F Pore, F Keita (DeMartin, 45)
SON: GK Sosa, D Sandwina, D Paredas, D Summerscales, D Russell, M Larson, M Lafon, M Hurst (Arroya, 69), M Travis (Tavares, 79), F Percell (Boone, 51), F Santoya
Scoring Summary:
POR: Nimo (DeMartin), 58
POR: Suzuki (Pore), 88
POR: Marcelin (Lopez), 90