Dustyn Brim of the Pumas was 'world class' today in an off-season victory over the USL-1 Portland Timbers (David Falk archive photo).
Kitsap Pumas-1 Portland Timbers-0 (see photos of the match here)
The Kitsap Pumas and the Portland Timbers got together today in Portland for a friendly that was off-season for the Pumas and between the regular season and the playoffs for the Timbers. In a shock final Kitsap came out on top one goal to nil.
Portland won the Commissioners Cup for best record in the USL-1 and are one of the favorites in the upcoming playoffs. The Pumas, meanwhile, are without a head coach and set roster. Kitsap agreed to the friendly as a favor to the Timbers in their playoff bye week.
Winger Alex Megson scored in the 12th minute and the boys held on for the win. The match was played in thirty minute thirds due to the nearly 100-degree on-field temperatures.
Pumas goalkeeper Dustyn Brim was, in the words of caretaker head coach James Ritchie, "world class," making "eight outstanding saves." Ritchie beamed about the play of the Pumas stalwart. "It's a shame there are no international scouts here today - I believe he is the best 'keeper in America."
Kitsap Sun: Pumas shock Timbers 1-0 in friendly
Chuck Stark's Blog: Pumas win friendly in Portland
Ritchie instituted a 5-3-2 formation that "worked to perfection," against the first-place and USL First Division Timbers. The friendly was played as a tune up for the Timbers' upcoming playoff run following the side's first-round bye.
"Every one of the players worked their arses off - the work rate was brilliant. At times it was like the Alamo - Davy Crockett couldn't have shuttered up as well," said the proud Ritchie.
The following players made the trip to Portland for the Pumas: Tony Kerr, Alex Megson, Dustyn Brim, Max Lipset, Kyle Johnson, Jordan Jennings, Nik Besagno, Daniel Scott, Steve Mohn, Mark Lee, Jesse Wheelock, William Njamen, Zack Sampson, Matt Friesen, Aziz Dieng, Stephen Phillips and Mark Conrad.
Read a Timbers fan site report here.
Visit www.KitsapSoccerClub.com
Alex Megson netted the winner for Kitsap today in Portland. (Archive photo)
Comments
THAT'S what I'm talking about! :)
I tip my Sounders hat in your general direction, Pumas!
Way to go Alex, Dustyn and guys!
it's all downhill from here :)
There is an error in your reporting here, David. The only starters for the Timbers to play in the first third were Savage & Josten. A couple more starters came in for the second, and the full team for the third. You have this reversed.
"The Pumas faced the Timbers starters for the first 60 minutes of the match and then held on against the rest of the squad's bench players to claim the win."
Diggs, thanks for that info. The section in question has been removed.
diggs, either way the timbers have a squad of 24 usl players and they were all there, all had even minutes and they have been the best team arguably in the country at this level and the pumas have beaten you. Pumas had what...5 subs? no training since their defeat in Laredo Texas? Im not sure, but what a win, it's really going to damage portlands chances in the playoffs. allez pumas!
yep...i just read pumas havent trained together for nearly two months. what an effort. well done boys.
Any time any club from up here can stuff one on their sad sack fans, It's all good! Have a nice afternoon, Big Al? LOL.
This won't effect the Cinders playoff chances. In fact, it is a wake-up call for them. We'll see how they respond, if anyone around here even cares...
Nice photos by Big Al. Nice of he-she to stay behind the camera. LOL. GREAT WORK KITSAP! It never gets old!
Refocus, people. This one is all about the PUMAS!
Great game for the Pumas, but this makes that long off-season seem just a bit longer! And Portland players and fans may not win much on the field, but they're world-champion whiners :)
Congratulations to both teams for a hard fought battle. Appears they were fairly evenly matched.
not much fun to be a member of the timbers army today
PUMAS had not played a game since 31 July - nearly 2 months ago.
The recap from a Timbers website said that nearly all the Timbers regular starters played the last 30 minute period - but they could not score even though they spent most of the time in the PUMAS end.
PUMAS held the Timbers to a goal for 89 minutes in the US Open Cup match in May. We knew all along that the PUMAS could hang with them.
no worries for the Timbers here at all -- just a conditioning practice w/o using most of the starters
and didnt they score too chud? should have been counted but the referee called a bad offsides. pumas were better that night and yesterday by the sounder of it. lets go pumas!
HA HA.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!