PORTLAND, Ore. --- Portland's Benji Michel scored twice and Malcolm Dixon provided the game-winner as the Pilots defeated the British Columbia Thunderbirds 4-2 in a men's soccer exhibition match played on a hazy Wednesday night at Merlo Field. Rey Ortiz also found the back of the net for the Pilots.
It was Ortiz who struck first when he scored on a free kick in the game's second minute. From just outside the box, Ortiz bent a shot around the wall and past the UBC goalkeeper to hand the home side an early cushion.
The Thunderbirds then briefly leveled the score courtesy an own goal, but Michel quickly gave the lead back to Portland with the first of his two goals.