Timbers2 earned their first win of the season Sunday night, thanks in large part to a standout performance from 22-year-old goalkeeper Ryan Bilichuk.
Bilichuk earns Player of Matchday 5 honors with a clean-sheet performance in the first professional win of his career. He made seven saves as Timbers2 took the lead in the first half, then further sealed their first three-point performance of the year in the second half.
Timbers2 found the lead in the 32nd minute through a long-range free kick from Selmir Miscic. Noel Caliskan doubled the lead in the 66th minute, striking from a scramble in front of goal.
Bilichuk, who played college soccer at Elon and South Carolina, arrived to the Timbers organization as a second-round pick (No. 44 overall) in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
Sunday's win was a special moment for Bilichuk and his family, as his parents made the trip to Providence Park to see their son play professionally for the first time. Bilichuk is half Argentinian from his father's side, earning dual citizenship in 2019. He speaks English and Spanish, communicating effectively in either language with his teammates.
