After beginning the 2018 USL regular season with fives games on the road, T2 plays host to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Wednesday, April 18, at Merlo Field in the club's home opening match; kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Streaming Changes: matches now stream on ESPN+
As part of the USL's new broadcast deal with ESPN, all league matches will now be streamed live on ESPN+, which is ESPN's new subscription-based, direct-to-consumer streaming platform. Starting Wednesday, all T2 matches will now stream live on ESPN+ for those residing in the United States; international viewers can still stream matches live via YouTube.
ESPN+ is viewable online, the ESPN app or across a variety of mobile and connected living room devices, including Amazon's Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and more.
* Note: ESPN+ is offering a free 30-day trial; trial offer ends Thursday, April 19 *
For more information and a FAQ on ESPN+, click here.
T2 return to Merlo
T2 return to Merlo Field for their 2018 home opener following a 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC on April 7. Defender Lamar Batista and forward Foster Langsdorf each scored their first career goals, while midfielder Victor Arboleda scored in his second straight appearance. Additionally, forward Augustine Williams registered his first two assists of the season. Williams was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 4 for his two-assist performance.
Timbers on loan
Seven Portland Timbers players started for T2 in the 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC on April 7. Forward Jeremy Ebobisse made his fifth straight start of the season, while Arboleda appeared in his fourth match in 2018. Timbers goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh made his third straight appearance, posting his second straight shutout. Defender Modou Jadama earned his fifth straight start. Midfielder Eryk Williamson made his third start of the season, while Langsdorf earned his second start of 2018. Defender Vytas, playing on loan from the Timbers, made his first start of the USL campaign, playing 59 minutes.
Stout defense
Portland secured its second consecutive shutout, and its third shutout overall this season, in the 3-0 win over OKC Energy FC on April 18. Additionally, Portland did not allow a single shot on goal, the first time that feat has occurred in the club's four-year history.
Portland against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
In four all-time matches against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, T2 lead the series 2-1-1. In the most recent regular-season meeting between Portland and Rio Grande Valley, the two clubs played to a 1-1 draw at H-E-B Park on Aug. 30, 2017. In the last meeting between the two clubs in Portland, T2 defeated RGVFC 2-1 at Providence Park on July 29, 2017.
T2 Team Leaders
Goals: Victor Arboleda, Augustine Williams (2)
Assists: Augustine Williams (2)
Chances Created: Andre Lewis (9)
Shutouts: Kendall McIntosh (2)
Saves: Kendall McIntosh (9)
Scouting Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (0-2-2, 2pts), the USL affiliate of the Houston Dynamo, enter Wednesday's match following a 3-2 loss on the road to Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Cheney Stadium on April 14, which extended a four-match winless run to begin the 2018 USL campaign. Rio Grande Valley is one of four teams in the Western Conference that has yet to win a game this season. Additionally, RGVFC have scored six goals and have conceded eight goals.
Head coach: Gerson Echeverry
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros Team Leaders
Goals: Six players tied (1)
Assists: Four players tied (1)
Chances Created: Todd Wharton (9)
Shutouts: n/a
Saves: Nicholas Corti (4)
