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It was a day when the scoreline was largely inconsequential in comparison to the setting.
The Victoria Highlanders didn鈥檛 get distracted by the nearly 9,000 screaming fans in attendance at Providence Field in Portland, Oregon, on Friday 鈥� almost all of them young students who were there for a special 11 a.m. school-day start.
The Highlanders (1-1-1) played to a 1-1 draw against MLS-affiliate Portland Timbers U-23 (0-1-1) in a United Soccer League Premier Development League fixture.
鈥淭hat was such a tremendous atmosphere, and it was so cool for our players to be in the [visiting] Providence Park dressing rooms [where MLS opponents of the senior Timbers change],鈥� Highlanders coach Dave Dew said.
Victoria came off a 2-0 loss to Calgary Foothills FC in its home opener last Sunday at Centennial Stadium. Earlier, the Highlanders were awarded their lone win via the boardroom when a 3-0 season-opening loss to the Kitsap Pumas went into the books as a Victoria victory because the Pumas had used an ineligible player.
The first point earned on the field, and first goal of the season, were both welcome relief for the Highlanders, even if Timbers-23 tied the game at 91 minutes in injury time.
鈥淧ortland earned it,鈥� Dew said about the draw.
鈥淏oth teams had their chances. It was end to end, as attested by the 16-15 shots [in Portland鈥檚 favour].鈥�
Victoria took the lead on 85 minutes when Chris Rushworth pounced on a bouncing ball to drive home a screecher of a volley.
鈥淥verall, it was a much better performance by us than in our first two games,鈥� Dew said.
鈥淚t was the best we鈥檝e played all year. And to do it in such a tremendous atmosphere made it all the more satisfying.鈥�
The Highlanders head down I-5 to play Lane United FC in Eugene, Oregon, tonight.
Undefeated Lane United (1-0-1) has a roster dotted with NCAA Division 1 players from the Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers and Creighton.
