Heading into Week 6 of the 2019 USL Championship season, T2 play host to Sacramento Republic FC at Merlo Field on Saturday, April 13; kickoff is at 5 p.m. (Pacific).
Last match recap
Playing in their fourth road match of the season, T2 scored three second-half goals to overcome a two-goal deficit at halftime to defeat OKC Energy FC 3-2 at Taft Stadium on April 6. Zach Kobayashi and Brayan Hurtado each tallied a goal to even the game, while Ryan Sierakowski scored the game-winning goal – his first as a professional – in stoppage time. Midfielder Eryk Williamson recorded one assist, his fifth of the season.
Strong start to 2019
In five matches to begin the 2019 season, T2 (3-1-1, 10pts) sit in second place in the Western Conference standings, level on points with first-place Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Portland enters the match second in the league in goals scored (12) after scoring multiple goals for a fourth consecutive game. Marvin Loría and Dairon Asprilla and Timbers Academy forward Gio Calixtro are tied for the team-lead in goals scored (2), while Ryan Sierakowski (1 goal, 1 assist) ranks tied for fifth on the team in points. Additionally, Eryk Williamson ranks tied for first in the USL Championship with five assists in four appearances, while Harold Hanson ranks tied for sixth in the league in tackles won (12).
T2 firsts
In T2’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory against OKC Energy FC on April 6, Brayan Hurtado, Zach Kobayashi and Ryan Sierakowski each scored their first goals of the 2019 USL season, and their first as members of the club. Hurtado and Sierakowski started their second and third matches for Portland, respectively, while Kobayashi came off the bench to score his first goal in his second appearance for Portland.
Portland against Sacramento Republic FC
In nine all-time matches between T2 and Sacramento Republic FC (3-1-1, 10pts), T2 trail the series 4-5-0. Portland is 3-2-0 in five home matches against Sacramento, dating back to April 2, 2015. In the last meeting between the two clubs in Portland, T2 defeated Republic FC 2-0 at Providence Park on May 2, 2018, with Dairon Asprilla and Modou Jadama scoring in the win for Portland. The match on Saturday marks the first of two regular-season matches between the two teams, as they will face each other again at Papa Murphy’s Park on Saturday, July 13.
T2 2019 Team Leaders
Goals: Three players tied (2)
Assists: Eryk Williamson (5)
Chances Created: Eryk Williamson (10)
Shutouts: N/A (0)
Saves: Jake Leeker (10)
Scouting Sacramento Republic FC
Sacramento Republic FC (3-1-1, 10pts) enter Saturday’s match following a 1-0 win against Austin Bold FC at Papa Murphy’s Park on April 6. Jaime Villarreal tallied the game-winning goal in the 85th minute Sacramento is 1-1-0 in two away matches on this season, picking up its first victory of the season in a 1-0 win over Colorado Switchbacks FC on March 16. Cameron Iwasa leads the team and ranks second in the USL Championship with five goals. Sam Werner, a Portland Timbers Academy product, has played in four matches (2 starts) this season, tallying one goal and two assists.
Sacramento Republic FC Head Coach: Simon Elliot
Sacramento Republic FC 2019 Team Leaders
Goals: Cameron Iwasa (5)
Assists: Four players tied (1)
Chances Created: Cameron Iwasa (10)
Shutouts: Josh Cohen (2)
Saves: Josh Cohen (13)
