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The Kitsap Pumas are still undefeated, but you'll pardon them for being a tad disappointed at surrendering a stoppage time goal that resulted in a 1:1 draw with the Portland Timbers U-23's last night in Tualatin, Oregon. Perhaps 'disappointed' isn't strong enough of a word. Pumas players, coaches and fans at the match felt the Portland goal was aided by a handball. The officials conferred but eventually disagreed.
Moments later there was a bench-clearing brawl after a Portland player stepped on Kitsap goalkeeper Dustyn Brim. Two Timbers and Kitsap defender Taylor Hyde were ejected before the match simmered to a close.
Kitsap goal keeper Dustyn Brim had just made a save when defender Chris Harms kicked him in the face while Brim was still on the ground.
Brim jumped up and got in Harms’ face. Harms tried to choke Brim. A melee ensued, as both sides exchanged words and pushes and shoves. After the officials restored order, they booked Harms, Josh Brown and Kitsap’s Taylor Hyde for a red card, while Brim was awarded a yellow card.
Brim said it was his fault that Hyde was ejected.
“I just snapped,” he said. “I wish he hadn’t got sent off. It was my fault for losing my cool. I should’ve just taken my lumps.”
The Pumas had taken a 1-0 lead in the first half on a free kick goal from Matt Friesen. It was Oregon native Friesen's second such goal against Portland this year. Earlier at Kitsap Friesen's free kick had held up for a 1:0 Pumas win.
Kitsap's Dustyn Brim (warm ups file photo by David Falk) kept the Pumas in the match in the second half.
Reports from Oregon suggest that Brim had a great second half. The Timbers outshot the Pumas 10-2 in the second stanza, and the Kitsap goalkeeper punched several balls over the bar and off the line.
The draw hurts the Timbers more than the Pumas. Kitsap can still clinch the 2009 Northwest division title with just one win in their last three matches. Sitting on 33 points the Pumas will clinch the division at 36. The Pumas hope to do it at home on July 11th against the last-place Abbotsford Mariners. Meanwhile, the Timbers gain just one home point and sit at 26 with three matches left for them. The Timbers will be keeping a close eye on the Seattle Wolves (24) and Cascade Surge (23) as they hit the road minus two players for their next match. Kitsap will play without Hyde against Abbotsford.
Jenni Conner made the trip to Oregon so we'll have photos from the Pumas-Timbers match up later today!
Today's matches: Cascade at Vancouver, Seattle at Victoria, Yakima at Abbotsford
Last night: Portland 1:1 Kitsap, Vancouver 6:0 Yakima
| # | PDL NW Division 2009 | Points | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 1 | Kitsap Pumas | 33 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Portland Timbers U-23 | 26 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Seattle Wolves FC | 24 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Cascade Surge | 23 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Tacoma Tide FC | 16 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | Vancouver Residency | 14 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | Victoria Highlanders | 13 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8 | Yakima Reds | 9 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| 9 | Spokane Spiders | 9 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| 10 | Abbotsford Mariners | 8 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Comments
We'll get the division crown on Saturday at our place, PUMAS!
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