PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing their final game of a three-match homestand, T2 defeated Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 in their first win of the 2016 USL season at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland on Sunday afternoon.
ForwardKharlton Belmar found the back of the net for T2 (1-3-0, 3pts) in the 46th minute, while T2 posted their first shutout of the season to hand Sacramento (2-1-1, 7pts) its first loss of the campaign.
After dispossessing Sacramento Republic FC defender Derek Foran deep in the visitors’ half, Belmar scored the game’s lone goal after taking a touch into the box before calmly bending his shot into the back of the net.
Despite a scoreless first half, T2 threatened in the 10th minute when defender Taylor Peay’s free kick found midfielder Andre Lewis at the edge of the box. With a leading touch, Lewis made a run towards the near post, but his shot was denied for a corner kick. Two minutes later, Belmar sent a low, driven ball into the six-yard box that narrowly missed the collapsing run of midfielder Neco Brett.
In the 28th minute, forward Victor Arboleda threatened at the near post. After defender Brent Richards released Arbodela from the right side, the Colombian’s low, driven ball towards goal was deflected out of play for one of T2’s three corner kicks in the first half.
T2 goalkeeper Wade Hamilton made consecutive saves at the back post to deny Sacramento from equalizing in the 75th minute of play, while Richards and midfielder Nick Belser produced consecutive goal-line clearances in the 62nd minute to help secure the club’s first clean sheet.
Next up, T2 will travel to Southern California to play Orange County Blues FC on Wednesday, April 20, at Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC Irvine; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Wednesday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
Postgame Quote Sheet
Quotes with reaction to the match from T2 head coach Andrew Gregor and select players can be accessed when ready by clicking here.
T2 (1-3-0, 3pts) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (2-1-1, 7pts)
April 17, 2016 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
T2 0 1 1
Sacramento Republic FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR: Belmar, 46
Misconduct Summary
SAC: Christian (Caution), 12
SAC: Jahn (Ejection), 76
POR: Brett (Caution), 90
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Hamilton, D Richards, D Peay ©, D Gallagher, D Farfan, M Lewis (Lowe, 76), M Besler, M Arboleda (Polk, 71), M Brett, M Damraoui (Duarte, 65), F Belmar (Bijev, 87)
Substitutes Not Used: GK McIntosh, D Morley, M Meva
TOTAL SHOTS: 4 (Belmar, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Belmar, 1); FOULS: 10 (Belmar, 4); CORNER KICKS: 3 ; SAVES: 4
SAC: GK Dominik, D Foran, D Christian, D Kiffe, D Klimenta, D Foran, M Motagalvan (Guzman, 87), M Barrera, M Cazarez (Thompson, 46), M Koval, F Stewart (Jahn, 46), F Iwasa (Pridham, 87)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Newton, D De Fonte, M/F Alvarez
TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Thompson, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Thompson, 3); FOULS: 13 (Four players tied, 2 ); CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 0
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Lucas Brooks, Benjamin Warren
4th Official: Andrew Brooks
Attendance: 1,649
Weather: Sunny, 78 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
