PORTLAND, Ore. – With just three road matches remaining in their inaugural 2015 USL regular-season schedule, T2 travel to face the Austin Aztex at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 1; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific).
T2 (7-11-2, 23 pts) enter the weekend just four points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after playing two matches last week. Playing their fourth match in an eight-day span, T2 were unable to overcome an early one-goal, first-half deficit in a 1-0 loss against LA Galaxy II on July 26 at Merlo Field. The loss marked Portland’s first defeat at Merlo Field since May 22. Portland travels to Austin for the first time this season on Saturday, playing their 12th USL match away from home. The last time T2 faced Austin, Portland earned a 3-1 win against the Aztex on June 14 at Merlo Field in Portland as Blair Gavin, Fatawu Safiu and Rundell Winchester all tallied goals.
Entering the weekend, T2 rank sixth among all USL teams in assists (21) and are led by forward Kharlton Belmar with nine goals through 20 matches. Belmar ranks tied for fourth in goals (9) among all USL players. The Virginia Beach, Va., native also ranks tied for sixth overall in points (21). Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson ranks fifth overall in saves (58) and eighth in saves per game (3.87) through 15 games played.
Austin (7-9-3, 24pts) enters Saturday’s match in eighth place in the Western Conference standings following a 1-0 win over Arizona United SC on July 25 at Scottsdale Stadium. The Aztex have not lost at home since May 24. Austin is led by forward Kris Tyrpak, who ranks tied for third in the league in game-winning-goals (4) and leads the Aztex with seven goals and two assists. Forward Trevin Caesar has registered seven goals in 18 appearances. Goalkeeper Devin Perales ranks sixth among all USL players in goal-against-average (1.04) and is tied for fourth in shutouts (5) in 13 starts.
Saturday’s road match will be carried on a live, high-definition web stream on www.timbers2.com.
Following Saturday’s match, T2 kick off a three-game home stretch, facing OKC Energy FC on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Merlo Field in Portland; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets for Saturday’s home T2 match against OKC Energy FC are available online by clicking here.
