Whitecaps beat Timbers 2-0 in preseason match

Blas Perez and Octavio Rivero scored goals Wednesday as the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the Portland Timbers 2-0 in a preseason Major League Soccer match at Providence Park.

Perez scored in the 39th minute off of a corner kick. Unmarked at the far post, the former Dallas forward cleanly finished his chance. Rivero made it 2-0 with a left-footed shot from 18 yards in the 72nd minute.

The Timbers started 10 different players than the 11 who started Sunday’s match against Minnesota United. Jake Gleeson was in goal with Taylor Peay, Anthony Manning, Zarek Valentin and Andy Thoma in the back four. Jack Jewsbury, Ben Zemanski and Ned Grabavoy started in midfield. Up front, Jack McInerney was flanked by rookies Ben Polk and Neco Brett.

Forward Michael Seaton center back Trevor Morley, midfielder Nick Besler and Timbers 2 forward Kharlton Belmar came on during the second half.

Vancouver played a more experienced group, though 15-year-old Alphonso Davies played his first match for the Whitecaps.

The Timbers are expected to play their projected starters on Sunday when they conclude their preseason with a 5 p.m. game against the Chicago Fire in the final game of the Simple Invitational.

Chicago 4, Minnesota United 0 — Joey Calistri scored twice in the first half in Wednesday’s first match at Providence Park and the Fire remained unbeaten in preseason play.