Spring games

PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots will host the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team in a men's soccer friendly on Wednesday, March 12 at Merlo Field at 7 p.m. The game is open to the public and admission is free.

"We're really looking forward to playing the U-17's," said Portland Director of Soccer and men's head coach Bill Irwin. "We've seen them play several times and it's going to be a great test for our boys. The U-17's are a very talented team who are well-coached and well-organized."

The Pilots went 9-11-0 last fall and featured freshman standout Eddie Sanchez, who racked up several post-season awards after leading the West Coast Conference in points (27), goals (12) and game-winners (4). A native of Canby, Ore., Sanchez was named a Freshman All-American by Soccer America, he was tabbed the WCC's freshman of the Year and he landed on the All-WCC First Team.

Portland's young roster also features fellow freshman Matthew Coffey, who joined Sanchez on the WCC's All-Freshman Team, while earning all-league second-team honors. Junior Derek Boggs and sophomore Hugo Rhoads also earned honorable mention accolades last fall.