USL News Release

 

Monday, August 21, 2006

 

TAMPA, FL – United Soccer Leagues announced Monday its USL First Division Team of the Week for the 18th week of the season, honoring Byron Alvarez of Portland as the USL First Division Player of the Week.

It has been a tough year for Portland striker Byron Alvarez. With 37 goals in his account over his first three seasons on the team, Alvarez went into Saturday's match with just two tallies through 21 games of the season and had not scored since May 27 at Minnesota. He broke out the slump in highlight fashion with two goals, and created the third to keep the Timbers' slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Puerto Rico.

Portland took the early lead when Alvarez got the ball down the right wing. The forward brought the ball upfield and into the Puerto Rico penalty area, forcing goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to come off his line. Alvarez calmly slotted the ball between Kennedy’s legs and into the goal for the 1-0 lead.

Puerto Rico doubled the advantage for the Timbers when John Queeley directed a ball from Alvarez into his own net, putting Portland up 2-0.

Alvarez got his second goal of the evening two minutes later when he received the ball at the edge of the penalty area from substitute Yuri Morales. Alvarez drew Kennedy away from the goal, then lofted the ball over Kennedy’s head before watching it cross the line to seal the 3-0 win.