NW PDL Weekly: Portland takes over first, Tacoma wins three straight

Dan Scott and Jamel Wallace of the Kitsap Pumas are out-jumped by the shorter Brent Richards of the Timbers U23's. Richards, a Washington Husky striker, scored the first goal for Portland in their 3:0 rout of the Pumas in Hillsboro on Saturday night. (Jenni Conner)

The Portland Timbers U23's have faced their biggest Northwest Division title competitors on back-to-back weekends in Oregon and have come away with the top spot in the table. Last week the U23's shut out Victoria's Highlanders 4:0 and just this last Saturday they shut out the Kitsap Pumas 3:0. The U23's are now 6-0-0 and alone at the top with 18 points. (See Jenni Conner's U23's-Pumas match photos in the gallery below.)

Tacoma Tide FC began the season with away losses at Kitsap and Portland, but now the Tide are sporting a three-match winning streak after wins over Yakima, Spokane (last week) and Abbotsford (Saturday). The streak has Tacoma all the way up to fourth place.

The Yakima Reds have already played half of their season schedule (8 matches), and find themselves at 2-0-6 with six points. The Reds just finished a road swing at Washington (W), at Abbotsford (L), at Vancouver (W) and at Victoria (L).

Timbers and Pumas scramble in Hillsboro. (Jenni Conner)

Last Week's Matches

Abbotsford 1:0 Yakima The Mariners scored in the 88th minute to edge the Reds at Bateman Park before 125 fans. Match report.

Vancouver 0:1 Yakima Abdulwali Aman netted with winner in the 67th minute as the Reds nipped the Whitecaps Residency before 77 fans at Simon Fraser University. Match report. Red's Examiner report.

Spokane 3:1 Washington After losing 7:2 in Seattle recently, the Spiders turned the tables and beat Washington at Joe Albi Stadium. Match details not yet available. Short recap here.

Abbotsford 0:1 Tacoma Wes Van Hooser got the winner for the Tide in the 53rd minute before 175 fans at Abbey's Bateman Park. Match stats.

Victoria 3:0 Yakima 1,689 fans at Bear Mountain Stadium watched the Highlanders beat the Reds. Match report.

Portland 3:0 Kitsap Washington Husky forward Brent Richards scored the winner as the Timbers went on to rout the Pumas before at Hillsboro's Hare Stadium on Saturday night. Match reports and photos.

This Week's Schedule

Friday June 11:

Tacoma Tide FC at Victoria Highlanders, 7:00 PM, Bear Mountain Stadium

Abbotsford Mariners at Washington Crossfire, 7:00 PM, Interbay Stadium

Spokane Spiders at Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, 7:00 PM, Simon Fraser U.

Saturday June 12:

Yakima Reds at Portland Timbers U23's, 7:00 PM, Kiggins Bowl

Sunday June 13:

Kitsap Pumas at Abbotsford Mariners, 2:00 PM, Bateman Park

Tacoma Tide FC at Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, 2:00 PM, Simon Fraser U.

Spokane Spiders at Victoria Highlanders, 7:00 PM, Bear Mountain Stadium