PORTLAND, Ore. – After a thrilling 4-3 win over English Premier League club Newcastle United in an international exhibition on July 21 at Providence Park, T2 return to USL league play, playing two matches over the weekend. T2 will face Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash., on Friday; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Following the match, T2 return home to the Rose City facing a quick turnaround as they play host to LA Galaxy II at Merlo Field on Sunday, July 26; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
T2 (7-9-2, 23pts) enter the two-match weekend just one point out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, following a 4-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in their last USL match on July 19 at Merlo Field. T2 return to regular-season action against Seattle on the road, playing their 11th USL match away from home this season. Forward Kharlton Belmar leads Portland with nine goals through 18 matches and ranks 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 with 54 through 14 games played.
Portland travels to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 (10-6-3, 33pts) for the second time this season and the final matchup of the regular season between the two clubs. In their last meeting, despite having the advantage in shots on goal, T2 conceded a goal in each half in a 2-0 loss against S2 on June 29 at Merlo Field.
Seattle enters Friday’s match in first place in the Western Conference standings following a 1-1 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on July 18 at Sand Creek Stadium. S2 have not lost at Starfire Stadium since June 5 and hold the best home record in the Western Conference (8-1-0). Seattle ranks third in goals (35) among all USL teams and is led by forward Pablo Rossi with seven goals and two assists through 19 games played.
As they prepare to take on Galaxy II in Portland on Sunday, T2 have found success at home in the Rose City this season, posting a 5-3-0 overall home record. Portland has registered 15 goals in eight home games in their inaugural season and are currently on a two-game win streak at home, defeating Arizona United SC 3-1 on July 2 and earning a 4-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on July 19.
LA Galaxy II (10-5-3, 33pts) travel to Portland for the first meeting between the two clubs and enter Sunday’s match riding a six-game unbeaten streak after posting a 1-1 draw with Orange County Blues FC on July 16. LA Galaxy II rank second in the Western Conference and lead USL in assists (27) through 18 games played. The Galaxy II are 5-2-0 on the road this season and have scored 14 goals away from home. LA is led by forward Ariel Lassiter, who ranks tied for fourth in goals (9) among all USL players through 15 games played. Galaxy midfielder Raul Mendiola leads USL in assists (8), while goalkeeper Clement Diop ranks tied for third in shutouts (5) through 15 games played. Portland will travel to face LA Galaxy II on Sept. 16 for the final match of their inaugural regular-season.
Tickets for Sunday’s home T2 match are available online by clicking here. Additionally, both matches will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
