The most successful Washington Timbers soccer team in club history has a date with destiny Monday.
After falling down 1-0 within the first 10 minutes, the U-14 Red girls scored three goals in a row to defeat Willamette United Levante, of West Linn, 3-1 for the Oregon State Cup title May 7, at the Tualatin Hills Recreational Center.
“They scored that first goal and celebrated like they had won the cup,” said Timbers coach Cliff Samodurov. “From that point on, we owned the game.”
The win propels the Timbers into the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championship June 20 to 25, in Boise. This tournament features 16 teams from Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The top eight advance to the quarterfinals. From there, it’s just three more wins without a loss to become champions.
“This is the first Timbers team to make it to the regional championship at the highest level, and we hope to make our community proud with a great showing,” Samodurov said. “If you can get out of pool play, that’s quite an accomplishment. Once you’re in the quarterfinals, anything can happen.”