Heading into Week 7 of the 2019 USL Championship season, T2 play host to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Merlo Field on Saturday, April 20; kickoff is at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Last match recap
Playing their second home match of the 2019 USL Championship season, T2 recorded a 1-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC at Merlo Field on April 13. Modou Jadama scored his second goal of the season, the game-winner, converting from the penalty spot in the first half to help T2 secure a second consecutive victory and their first shutout of the season.
Strong start to 2019
In six matches to begin the 2019 season, T2 (4-1-1, 13pts) sit in first place in the Western Conference standings and second behind Saint Louis FC in the league standings. Portland enters the match tied for third in the league in goals scored (13), while ranking tied for third in the league in assists (10). Dairon Asprilla, Jadama, Marvin Loría and Timbers Academy forward Gio Calixtro are tied for the team-lead in goals scored (2). Additionally, Eryk Williamson ranks tied for first in the USL Championship with five assists in four appearances, while Harold Hanson ranks tied for fifth in the league in tackles won (15).
Goals from all over
Following Zach Kobayashi’s goal in a 3-2 win against OKC Energy FC on April 6, T2 ranks tied for second in the league in goals scored from outside the box (3). Marvin Loría scored the club’s two other goals from outside the box in a 3-1 win against San Antonio FC on March 16, while as a club, T2 ranks first in the league with two goals from fast breaks. Additionally, Portland’s 10 goals from inside the box ranks tied for fourth in the USL Championship in 2019.
Portland against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
In nine all-time matches between T2 and Colorado (2-3-1, 7pts), T2 trail the series 1-5-3. Portland is 0-2-3 in five home matches against Colorado, dating back to Sept. 5, 2015. In the last meeting between the two clubs in Portland, Colorado defeated T2 4-1 at Merlo Field on June 17, 2018, with Harold Hanson tallying his first professional goal and Modou Jadama registering his first assist of 2018. The match on Saturday marks the first of two regular-season matches between the two teams, as they will face each other again at Weidner Field on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
T2 2019 Team Leaders
Goals: Four players tied (2)
Assists: Eryk Williamson (5)
Chances Created: Eryk Williamson (12)
Shutouts: Jake Leeker (1)
Saves: Jake Leeker (13)
Scouting Sacramento Republic FC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2-3-1, 7pts) enter Saturday’s match following a 2-0 loss against Reno 1868 FC at Weidner Field in their sixth match of the 2019 campaign on April 13. On the road, Colorado has a 1-1-1 record, defeating LA Galaxy II 4-1 on March 9, drawing Phoenix Rising FC 2-2 on March 30 and losing 2-0 against Orange County SC on April 6. Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez was voted USL Championship Player of the Week for Week 4, after he recorded 11 saves in his professional debut against Phoenix Rising FC on March 30.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Head Coach: Steve Trittschuh
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2019 Team Leaders
Goals: Shane Malcolm (3)
Assists: Mike Seth (2)
Chances Created: Alexander Molano (12)
Shutouts: Andre Rawls (1)
Saves: Abraham Rodriguez (17)
