PORTLAND — The goal did not make headlines. It was witnessed by a small gathering Sunday in Burnaby, B.C., one of three scored by the Portland Timbers Reserves in a win over the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves.
But for Brent Richards it was monumental, as first goals always are.
The Camas native put away a cross from Chris Taylor for his first professional goal, giving the Timbers a 1-0 first-half lead.
“It felt really good,” Richards said. “It was a good goal for me. A big step.”
The jump from college, where he was the top scorer at the University of Washington, to the professional game has challenged Richards both physically and emotionally. So Sunday’s goal was a lift for the first homegrown player signed by the Timbers.
“It’s big for me,” he said. “Confidence for me is a big thing. I think I’ve been doing a little bit better lately. I’ve done fairly well in the reserve games.”
Major League Soccer has a reserve league so that young players such as Richards, who aren’t likely to crack the first team, get a chance to develop beyond training sessions. For Richards, the three reserve games played so far have provided some validation that he belongs on the field with MLS players.
As a bonus, he was one of seven substitutes selected by coach John Spencer to dress for Saturday’s match against Kansas City. He didn’t play, but said he enjoyed being on the bench for a big win at Jeld-Wen Field.
“There were a little bit of head games going on for me. I wasn’t playing nearly as well as I wanted to,” Richards said of his first couple months as a professional. “The reserve games have been helping me a lot, I think. I’ve been doing a little bit better in training, too. Hopefully, this will turn a page for me.”
One of the big challenges for Richards has been his control of the ball in tight space. Primarily a forward in college, Richards has played both forward and outside midfield positions with the Timbers.
“I’m starting to hold the ball a little bit better at times, at times I’m not,” Richards said. “But I’m getting more comfortable about turning on the sideline and having space restrictions.”
Sunday’s goal came from a familiar spot, as Richards worked himself to the middle of the penalty area and finished a cross from Taylor, another former Husky.
“I don’t think Chris even saw me. I think he was trying to pick Charles (Renken) out,” Richards said. “I told Charles to leave it, and I got a hold of it.”
It was a big moment, but further evidence that Richards has another aspect to improve.
“I didn’t have a goal celebration. Guys kind of made fun of me for that,” Richards said with a smile. “I just turned around and joggged back to the center. Guys were saying, ‘Why are you jogging? You should walk and take a breather for a minute.’ ”
Richards isn’t secure enough as a member of the Timbers to take many breathers. But Sunday’s goal and a strong training session Tuesday had him feeling better about his game.
“They brought me here for a reason,” he said. “They have confidence in me, so I should have confidence, too, that I can play with these guys. Once I do that I’m much better off.”
