Jim Rilatt’s vision for his soccer team this weekend goes something like this:
Camas native Brent Richards scores an early goal.
The Timbers Army goes bananas. Timber Joey revs his chain saw, slicing off a piece of log.
Energized by the thrill of such a moment at PGE Park, the Portland Timbers under-23 team rolls to a national title.
“My hope is that we can show folks what this organization and city are: the best place to play soccer in the United States,” Rilatt, the Timbers U-23 coach, said.
The Timbers’ developmental squad is hosting the semifinals and finals for the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League today and Saturday at PGE Park.
The USL PDL is considered the top men’s league in North America for players 23 and younger. It includes current college players and has 67 teams in four conferences. The conference champions make up the PDL final four.
The Timbers U23s (18-0), in only their second season, are the top seed among the final four teams. They face the Reading (Pa.) United AC at 7:30 p.m. today in the second semifinal match. The championship will be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday and televised live nationally on cable by the Fox Soccer Channel.
Richards, who is entering his junior season at the University of Washington, might win big before he takes the field today.
The 2008 Camas grad is one of four finalists for the Premier Development League’s most valuable player and rookie of the year awards.
Those will be announced prior to today’s semifinal matches.
“I feel real good about the nomination,” Richards said. “It’s definitely a result of the team I have behind me. The wide players have done a great job. Having those players put balls to me in positions I can score from has allowed me to finish.”
Richards has 14 goals and two assists this summer in 12 games. He scored in five consecutive matches at one stretch, and had a four-goal game.
The daily morning practices also have helped Richards’ consistency.
“I think I’ve learned a lot about being in a professional environment and what it takes to be successful,” he said.
“His quality of finishing has gone up this summer,” Rilatt said, adding that Richards and fellow forward Brian Ramsey (six goals, three assists) from Oregon State have formed a productive bond up front.
Such bonds are the foundation of this team’s success.
While many Timbers play for rival colleges in the fall, the team quickly developed cohesion after a tryout process in the spring, Rilatt said.
“I’m actually really pleased with how we’ve all gotten along,” Richards said, adding that he has developed friendships with players from rival colleges.
Rilatt credits former Oregon State midfielder Tracy Hasson, the team captain, for building rapport among the summer teammates. The coach noted that because many of the players have responsibilities that take them away from the team, every player on the roster saw playing time and feels a part of the success.
The reward is a chance to compete for a championship in front of an audience that will be larger than most college players have experienced. It’s also a stage that can help a player’s pro soccer prospects, Rilatt said.
“This puts these players on the field directly in front of the people they want to play for (as professionals),” Rilatt said. “And with the support of the Timbers Army and the atmosphere, what a great place for a kid to be.”
