Portland Timbers smoke Kitsap Pumas out of US Open Cup, 4:1

Pumas supporters (at right), covered in their club's colors, roam the pitch after the Portland Timbers easily beat the Pumas 4:1 on Tuesday night in Bremerton. The traveling Timbers supporters celebrate with their team, amidst smoke bombs, in the background. (David Falk)

Up in smoke. That's where the dreams of the Kitsap Pumas advancing in the United States Open Cup went after they were pushed around by the Portland Timbers 4:1 tonight in Bremerton.

Bright Dike scored three goals and teammate Ross Smith added another to lead the Portland Timbers past Kitsap 4:1 in the second round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in front of 1,205 fans at Bremerton Memorial Stadium.

The Timbers, of the United Soccer Leagues First Division, led from beginning to end after Ross broke a scoreless tie in the 34th minute.

But it was Dike – listed at 6-1, 220 pounds – who dominated the match.

“He’s a massive guy, he’s very good,” Kitsap coach Peter Fewing said. “He holds ground well, he gets in your face and he’s tireless.”

Those skills were on display all night, but especially late in the first half and into the second.

The former MLS draft pick – he was selected by Columbus – gave Portland a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute, drilling a left-footed shot under the crossbar from about 10 yards out. Dike beat Kitsap goalkeeper Dustyn Brim from the left side of the box after making a quick move with the ball.

Kitsap Sun Match Report

Two minutes after halftime, the forward scored again. He sent a low shot across the box from left to right, managing to slip the ball past Brim, who appeared to make a deflection.

It was a devastating goal to the Pumas, who had shifted from a 4-4-2 formation to a 3-5-2 in hopes of creating more offense.

Dike completed his hat trick in the 62nd minute, making it 4-0.

“Their gamble didn’t pay off,” Timbers coach Gavin Wilkinson said. “Ultimately, it created a lot more room for Bright.”

Commentary: Pumas still have a long way to go

Tye Perdido and John Fishbaugher converge on the Portland goal but Steve Cronin reacts to stop the attack in first-half action. (Jenni Conner)

The brightest moment for the Pumas came in the 90th minute, when Robert Christner found the back of net with a strong finish against Portland keeper Steve Cronin. Second-half substitute Stephen Phillips assisted.

But that didn’t lessen the disappointment of losing to the Timbers for the second-straight season in the Open Cup.

In 2009, Portland defeated the Pumas 3-0 in the first round in Bremerton in a game that was closer than the score indicated.

Kitsap then defeated the Timbers 3-2 in a preseason friendly match prior to the 2010 season at Memorial Stadium and seemed poised for a repeat performance.

“Hats off to Portland,” Fewing said. “They played well.”

With the win, Portland advances to the third round of the Open Cup and will host Seattle Sounders FC Wednesday, June 30.

Seattle, which won the tournament in 2009, will welcome Portland to MLS in 2011.

“It means a lot,” Dike said of the win. “We’re trying to find our groove toward the next half of the season and keep this going into league play.”

Despite the setback, Kitsap remains in good position to repeat as division champions. The Pumas are 7-1-0 in league play, trailing the Portland Timbers U23 (9-0-0) and Victoria Highlanders (7-2-1) for first place. Kitsap, as of today's date holds two games in hand on the Highlanders.

Kitsap hosts Victoria at 7:30 p.m. Friday and would move into second place with a win.

(Kitsap Pumas contributed to this match report)

Scot Thompson of Portland shields Kitsap's Cameron Hepple from the ball. (Jenni Conner)