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Japanese striker Takayuki Suzuki recorded a goal and an assist to lead the Portland Timbers to a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders in front of 9,894 at PGE Park on Saturday night. With the win, the Timbers extend their unbeaten regular-season streak at home and maintain their early season lead in the USL First Division.

Suzuki tallied his first goal of the season in the sixth minute to give Portland an early 1-0 lead. He then fed midfielder Miguel Guante on his first professional goal in the 76th minute to help Portland capture a 2-0 victory and maintain its first place position in the USL First Division table.

The Timbers took an early 1-0 lead on a strike by Suzuki. Portland’s defense was able to stop a corner kick by Seattle and the ball trickled out to forward Chris Brown just outside the top of the Portland penalty area. Brown sent a long pass down field to Suzuki, who caught up to the ball and collected it outside the top right corner of the box. Working the ball to space, he rocketed a 22-yard shot into the top far corner of the frame for his first goal as member of the Timbers.

In the 76th minute, Guante, who made his first start of the season Saturday, added to the Timbers’ lead with this first strike of the season. The play developed as Suzuki carried the ball up the right touch line and found Guante in the center of the pitch about 30 yards out from goal. Guante fought his way around a Seattle defender and knocked the ball from 15 yards out inside the left post past a diving attempt by Seattle goalkeeper Chris Eylander for a 2-0 Portland advantage.

The Japanese forward and 2002 World Cup participant has made 55 appearances and scored 11 goals as a member of Japan’s National Team and is considered the club’s most significant signing since joining United Soccer Leagues in 2001. Suzuki, 31, played in all four matches for Japan during the 2002 World Cup. His international career also includes appearances in the 2001 and 2005 FIFA Confederations Cups, and he led Japan to the Asian Cup title in 2004. Suzuki scored three goals in five qualifying matches to help Japan reach the 2006 World Cup.

Last year, Crystal Palace Baltimore opened their inaugural season with four consecutive losses. This year, the club was a 3-0 winner in its season opener Friday against the visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

In addition to leading the defense to the shutout performance, Andrew Marshall helped the team on the offensive end, helping set up the second goal in the 38th minute. Later as the half drew to a close, Marshall made a lung-bursting run from deep in his own half all the way to the Pittsburgh box. He crossed perfectly to an open Matthew Mbuta, who will undoubtedly rue having taken too many touches, eventually shooting from too tight an angle when perhaps a first time shot could have made it 3-0 going into the break.

Despite being one man down due to an ejection, Palace kept pressing forward and the always dangerous Mbuta earned a free-kick outside the area in the 42nd minute. That effort was cleared but Palace sealed the victory from the ensuing corner - Andrew Marshall got his head to Harkin's fine delivery before the 'keeper could get his hands on it, flicking on to new signing, Pat Healey waiting in the six yard box for the easiest of finishes.

Marshall was a key contributor to the team's success last season as one of the anchors on the back line, playing in 19 games and tallying a goal and two assists.

USL First Division Team of the Week
 
 Pos  Name  Team  Highlights
 
 G  Ray Burse  Portland  Six saves in 2-0 win over Seattle 
 D  Stephen de Roux  Minnesota  Led team in 1-0 win at Vancouver 
 D  Scot Thompson  Portland  Led team to pair of wins 
 D  Marco Reda  Charleston  Led team in 1-0 loss at Carolina 
 M  Shaun Higgins  Portland  Game-winner in 2-1 win over Minnesota 
 M  Osei Telesford  Puerto Rico  Game-winner in 3-1 win over Miami 
 M  Ansu Toure  Atlanta  Led team in 3-2 win over Montreal 
 M  Patrick Leduc  Montreal  Goal, assist in 3-2 loss at Atlanta 
 F  Juan Pablo Galavis  Miami  Goal in 2-0 win at Puerto Rico
* F  Takayuki Suzuki  Portland  Goal, assist in 2-0 win over Seattle 
 F Connally Edozien  Carolina  Game-winner in 1-0 win over Charleston

USL Second Division Team of the Week
  Pos  Name  Team  Highlights
 
 G  Emilio Zelaya  Real Maryland  Eight saves in 2-0 win over Pittsburgh
  D  Dustin Bixler  Harrisburg  Led team in 1-1 draw against Cleveland 
* D Andrew Marshall  CP Baltimore  Two assists in 3-0 win over Pittsburgh 
 D  Brady Bryant  Charlotte  Led team in 3-0 win over Richmond 
 M  Kwame Steede  Bermuda  Goal in 2-0 win over Wilmington  
 M  Derek Potteiger  Cleveland  Goal in 1-1 draw at Harrisburg 
 M  Stephen Astwood  Bermuda  Goal in 2-0 win over Wilmington  
 M  Jorge Herrera  Charlotte  Goal in 3-0 win over Richmond 
 F  Gary Brooks  CP Baltimore  Goal in 3-0 win over Pittsburgh 
 F  Dustin Swinehart  Charlotte  Goal, assist in 3-0 win over Richmond  
 F  William Brindley  Real Maryland  Goal in 2-0 win over Pittsburgh
 
Press release courtesy of www.USLsoccer.com