Heading into Week 9 of the 2019 USL Championship season, T2 play host to Rio Grande Valley FC at Merlo Field on Tuesday, April 30; kickoff is at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Last match recap
T2 scored three second-half goals, earning a point on the road in a 3-3 draw against New Mexico United in front of 12,921 fans at Isotopes Park on Friday night. T2 midfielder Eryk Williamson scored his first career brace, as T2 erased a two-goal deficit to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
Strong start to 2019
In eight matches to begin the 2019 season, T2 (4-1-3, 15pts) sit in first place of the Western Conference standings. Portland enters the match ranked third in the league in goals scored (18), while ranking tied for second in the league in assists (13). Foster Langsdorf leads the team in goals scored (3), while Eryk Williamson, Ryan Sierakowski, Dairon Asprilla, Modou Jadama, Marvin Loría and Timbers Academy forward Gio Calixtro are tied for second in goals scored (2). Additionally, Eryk Williamson ranks tied for first in the USL Championship with five assists in seven appearances, while Modou Jadama ranks fourth in the league in defensive clearances (48).
T2 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
In six all-time matches between T2 and Rio Grande Valley FC, Portland leads the series 4-1-1. T2 is 2-1-0 in three home matches against Rio Grande Valley, dating back to April 8, 2016. In the most recent meeting between the two clubs, T2 defeated the Toros 1-0 at H-E-B Park on June 9, 2018.
Home form
In three home matches to begin the 2019 season, T2 is currently unbeaten at Merlo Field, with a 2-0-1 record. Additionally, T2 currently ranks third in the USL Championship in goals scored (18), six of which have been scored at home. Additionally, T2 has only allowed three goals at Merlo Field.
T2 2019 Team Leaders
Goals: Foster Langsdorf (3)
Assists: Eryk Williamson (5)
Chances Created: Eryk Williamson (18)
Shutouts: Jake Leeker (1)
Saves: Jake Leeker (23)
Scouting Rio Grande Valley FC
Rio Grande Valley FC (2-3-3, 9pts) enter Tuesday’s match following a 4-4 draw against LA Galaxy II at Dignity Health Sports Park in their eight match of the 2019 season on April 24. Rio Grande Valley is unbeaten in its last four matches (2-0-2), tallying a total of 11 goals. Rio Grande Valley currently ranks tied for ninth in the league in goals scored (14) with forward Michael Salazar scoring four goals in six appearances. Additionally, the Toros have scored 11 of their 14 total goals in the last three matches.
Rio Grande Valley FC Head Coach: Gerson Echeverry
Rio Grande Valley FC Team Leaders
Goals: Michael Salazar (4)
Assists: Maalique Foster, Isidro Martinez (2)
Chances Created: Isidro Martinez (15)
Shutouts: Tyler Deric (1)
Saves: Michael Nelson (8)
