OSU coach Steve Simmons likes how his team played against an MLS team Thursday night.
The Oregon State men’s soccer team faced off with the Portland Timbers in an exhibition match on the road Thursday night and lost a close one 1-0.
Last year the game was in Corvallis, and I covered the game and atmosphere. That was when the Timbers coach big-timed me on an interview request.
“First of all, I want to thank the Timbers for allowing us to come to their place for this game,” OSU coach Steve Simmons said in a press release. “We are in a unique position at Oregon State that affords us amazing opportunities to play clubs like we did tonight. We have built a great rapport with the Timbers and are extremely thankful to do anything that we can to cultivate this relationship.”
The Timbers played primarily starters, with a starting lineup of Jake Gleeson, Mike Chabala, Futty Danso, Eric Brunner, Steve Purdy, Erik Alexander, Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chara, Franck Songo’o, Jorge Perlaza and Bright Dike.
“We obviously were absorbing a lot,” Simmons said. “I’m glad that (Timbers coach) John Spencer played a lot of his first-teamers to give our guys a taste of what it’s like to compete at that level. We learned a lot and are going to take a ton of positives out of this game. All in all it was a great night and we’re looking forward to having an opportunity like this again in the future.”
The Timbers scored the game’s lone goal in the 84th minute when Hanyer Mosquera headed home a corner kick from Kalif Alhassan.
OSU’s best chance came late in the second half when Glenn Paden had a breakaway in the box, but had his shot challenged and corralled by Portland’s keeper.
4 comments
ChrisOSAlum says:
Feb 24, 2012
Cliff, great to hear about soccer. Those who grew up playing the game have a real appreciation for the finer points- like the amazing ball control these guys have. It’s tough to tell by a 1-0 score how close the game really was, but it is great to hear of a college team playing the professionals. Doesn’t happen in many other sports. Without having seen the game, it’s tough to guage by the score alone how close the college kids at OSU are to the level of the Timbers players. Do you have any other stats like shots on goal, corner kicks or time of posession?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 24, 2012
No other stats, but from what I heard the Timbers struggled in the game. Maybe taking the college team too lightly.
D.erickson says:
Feb 26, 2012
Cliff are there any plans to upgrade the soccer facilities (i.e., grandstand) ?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 26, 2012
There was talk about that, but I don’t think that’s at the forefront of plans.