PORTLAND, Ore. – T2 will travel to face fellow USL expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, B.C.; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
T2 (5-6-2, 17pts) are sixth overall in the Western Conference standings and have played eight of their 13 USL matches on the road so far this season. In their last match, T2 earned a 3-1 victory over the Austin Aztex on June 14 at Merlo Field. Playing their first home match in more than three weeks, T2 scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half and added a third goal late in the second half to improve to 3-1-0 at Merlo Field this season. Midfielder Blair Gavin and defender Jeanderson each tallied their first goals of the season and midfielder/forward Fatawu Safiu converted a penalty kick for his second goal in league play.
Forward Kharlton Belmar leads Portland with six goals through 13 matches and ranks tied for fourth in goals among all USL players. Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson ranks second overall in saves (45) and fifth in saves per game (4.09) through 11 appearances.
Sunday’s match marks the first of four meetings between the two Cascadia rivals this season, with T2 returning to Vancouver on July 10 and Whitecaps FC 2 making the trip to Portland on July 19 and Aug. 18.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (3-7-4, 13pts) enter Sunday’s match on a three-game losing streak, following a 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy II on June 14 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, B.C. The defeat marked Vancouver’s first home loss (2-1-3) of its inaugural season. Whitecaps FC 2 have scored six goals in five games at home and rank first in saves (61) and fouls committed (167) in USL. Forward Caleb Clarke leads Whitecaps FC 2 with five goals and one assist through 14 games, while goalkeeper Spencer Richey ranks sixth in saves overall (33) through six games played.
Sunday’s road match will be carried on a live, high-definition web stream on www.timbers2.com.
Following Sunday’s match, T2 will return home to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Merlo Field on Monday, June 29; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
