Team makes second National appearance in 3 years.
(Portland, Oregon) – The Thunder Bay Chill will have to settle for second place in the 2010 Premier Development League (PDL) Playoffs, as the team fell 4-1 to the Portland Timbers U23 on Saturday night in Portland, Oregon. After the Chill's Rafa Heck was sent off early in the game with a red card, the Thunder Bay team was unable to keep pace with a Timbers side that ends the season (regular season and playoffs) with a perfect record of 20-0-0.
Heck was sent off in the 16th minute, after a high foot, and the Timbers did not wait long to take the lead on an undermanned Chill side, as Tracy Hasson scored in the 30th minute, assisted by Paul Ogunyemi. "I thought that was a tough call against us, but unfortunately it's not up to me. There was contact but I know it was not intentional and felt that a yellow card would be justified," commented Coach Colistro.
Chill forward Gustavo Oliviera, breathed some life into his team’s title hopes, as he tied the game in the 45th minute, assisted by keeper Steve Paterson. However, that was as good as things would get for the Chill, as the home side put in three unanswered goals to lock up the 2010 PDL Championship title. The Timbers received scoring from Brent Richards in the 51st and 62nd minute, assisted by Steven Evans and Ryan Kawulok respectively. Freddie Braun would round out the scoring for the Timbers in the 76th minute, when he fired home the final goal from the penalty spot.
Chill captain Wilson Neto became probable for tonight's final after suffering a hard blow to the back in yesterday's semi-final vs. Baton Rouge. The Chill center back, and arguably the leader of the Chill back four had to be substituted in the 2nd half of yesterday's semi-final. Neto warmed up with the team in the final game tonight but had to be pulled off the roster minutes before kick off as he struggled to walk.
"The two goals in the 2nd half from set pieces were errors on our part. Losing Wilson in our warm-up left the center of the defense with a large gap to fill. Both goals came from that spot, which I guarantee would not have happened with Wilson in the line-up. At the end of the day Portland did well to expose us in the center and in the flanks when we went a man short. Credit to their team and coaching staff. They deserved the win," stated Colistro.
The Thunder Bay Chill would like to thank their fans and volunteers for their continued support throughout the regular season and playoffs. Despite finishing second place in the PDL Championship Finals, the Chill will consider the 2010 season a success, after claiming the PDL Heartland Division title, the Central Conference Championship, and reaching the PDL Championship game.
The team is scheduled to arrive home from Portland Monday morning. Season tickets will go on sale for the 2011 season in mid-December.
