PORTLAND, Ore. – Heading into Week 27 of the 2017 regular season, T2 will travel to face Reno 1868 FC at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday, Sept. 23. Set to begin at 7 p.m. (Pacific), Saturday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
Saturday’s match marks the third and final game between the two clubs in 2017, with Portland falling 2-0 to Reno at Providence Park on June 24, while earning a 1-1 draw on the road at Greater Nevada Field on July 22. Timbers Academy forward Gio Calixtro, 17, registered his first career goal in his first career start in the 1-1 draw, becoming the youngest goal scorer in team history.
T2 (2-18-6, 12pts) enter Saturday’s match following a scoreless draw against Real Monarchs SLC at Providence Park on Sept. 9, which extended a three-match unbeaten run. The shutout was the third of the season for Portland and for goalkeeper Wade Hamilton, who finished the match with three saves. Holding a 17-8 shot advantage in the match, T2’s best scoring chance came in the 85th minute. Midfielder Omar Mohamed’s delivery from a corner kick picked out midfielder Renzo Zambrano inside the box. Zambrano’s shot was redirected on frame by Calixtro, whose back-heeled attempt was saved by Monarchs goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. The ensuing rebound fell to the feet of forward Augustine Williams inside the six-yard box, but Williams’ point-blank shot was kicked aside by Sparrow for a T2 corner kick.
Reno 1868 FC (15-6-7, 52pts) enters Saturday’s contest after defeating OKC Energy FC 3-0 at Greater Nevada Field on Wednesday. Reno currently sits in second place in the Western Conference standings and leads the league with 63 goals scored. Forward Dane Kelly is tied for the USL lead with 16 goals, while midfielder Chris Wehan ranks first in the league with 10 assists. Goalkeeper Matt Bersano has 63 saves in 24 starts this season, and ranks tied for second in the league with nine shutouts.
Following Saturday’s match, T2 will play host to Phoenix Rising FC in the regular-season home finale on Wednesday, Sept. 27; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
