Late Goals Disguise Closeness of Match

Pumas Eliminated but Far from Disgraced

Portland Timbers advanced to the next stage of the US Open Cup having come to Bremerton and secured a 3-0 triumph over the Kitsap Pumas in only their eighth ever competitive game. But for large parts of the match, the Pumas matched and even exceeded their guests in possession and quality of football, and in the end the difference was probably the gap between the sides in experience of playing as a unit, plus a little bit of extra fitness.

Mark Conrad (16) and Tony Kerr (10) Caused Portland First Half Problems

Yet it didn’t always look so good for the home side who made a nervous start. Just 15 seconds in, they were caught unawares as former Minnesota Thunder player Brain Farber found himself through on goal, only to be denied by the impressive Dustyn Brim in the Pumas goal.

But thereafter, the Pumas began to ‘find their boots’ and three minutes later Spencer Schonmaker found his way inside the Portland defence but fired over. Between then and half time, the Pumas were the better side and Tony Kerr, having obtained his obligatory booking, produced a fine save from Steve Cronin just after the half hour. On the stroke of half time, he blasted another chance straight at the Timbers keeper.

The interval came too soon for Kitsap and just in time for Portland. Barely twenty seconds into the second half, Portland took the lead. The Pumas, as well as most of the crowd, had not regained their concentration when Brian Farber, probably Portland’s best player on the night, slid in the opening goal past an unprotected Brim.

Yet the Pumas heads didn’t go down and they nearly equalised 12 minutes later. Spencer Schonmaker found Kerr on the left and the Englishman comprehensively beat Cronin with his shot. But the stand side linesman had correctly flagged him offside. A minute later the roles were reversed but Schonmaker’s shot went agonisingly wide after Cronin had come bravely off his line to close him down.

In the last twenty minutes though, Portland’s superior fitness began to tell. The Pumas had played three games in six days, and it was beginning to show as their less fatigued opponents began to have more time on the ball. Brim produced a remarkable save down low to his left from a header with 18 minutes left and produced a flashier diving save from a David Hayes free kick four minutes later.

Timbers Keeper Steve Cronin Holds on Under Pressure

As Pumas began to see out the game confidently, they finished stronger and Brim kept the score respectable by keeping out Keith Savage’s long range effort in the 84th minute.

But two late goals were to put a better gloss on the score for the Oregon side than the balance of play perhaps deserved. Substitute Tom Poltl found Jason McLaughlin in space a minute from time, as Kitsap continued to pour men forward in search of the equaliser. McLaughlin’s chip superbly rose over Brim and into the net. It was a classy piece of finishing from the former Atlanta Silverback player. In injury time, David Hayes completed the scoring from the penalty spot.

Portland can be pleased at a job well done. Their 70-80 fans helped the noisy locals create a real cup tie atmosphere. The game was played in the right spirit and well refereed. The Pumas can also take many good points out of the night. Over 2100 people came out on a Tuesday to watch this club, playing in, what is effectively a regional fourth division of the US Soccer pyramid. Those 2100 are predominantly young and the club doesn’t have to wonder where its next generation of supporters (and players) are coming from. They have an extensive school camp program which extends well beyond the immediate environs of Bremerton, and they also have some excellent players with Californian Max Lipset looking very assured especially against better opponents.

Attendance: 2128

Kitsap Pumas: Dustyn Brim; Max Lipset, Mark Lee, Taylor Hyde, Stephen Mohn; Matt Friesen, Kyle Johnson, Stephen Phillips, Mark Conrad; Tony Kerr, Spencer Schonmaker

Portland Timbers: Steve Cronin; David Hayes, Scott Thompson, Stephen Keel, Mamadou Danso; Alex Nimo, Keith Savage, Tony McManus, Brian Farber; Mandjou Keita, Jason McLaughlin

Further coverage:
Pumas Pride grows in the 3-6-0 even after Cup setback

Kitsap Sun

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