USL Match Preview | Portland Timbers 2 at Real Monarchs | Apr. 8, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – After a dramatic 2-1 win against defending USL-champion Sacramento Republic FC and a 3-1 victory in their inaugural USL match against Real Monarchs SLC, T2 will travel to Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday, April 8, to face Real Monarchs SLC in Portland’s first road game of the season; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific).

T2 (2-0-0, 6 pts) earned wins in their first two USL matches, defeating Real Monarchs SLC on March 29, and coming from behind to defeat defending USL-champion Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 on Thursday, April 2. T2 has scored five goals and only allowed two in their first two matches. Forward Kharlton Belmar tallied three goals over the first two matches, including the club’s first-ever goal in USL in the win over Real Monarchs. Steven Evans notched the game winner in the 85th minute on Thursday night to complete the comeback against Sacramento Republic FC.

Real Monarchs SLC (0-1-1, 1pt) enter Wednesday’s match following a 3-1 road loss to T2 at Merlo Field in Portland. The loss against Portland marked their first defeat in their inaugural 2015 USL season. Coco Navarro scored the first goal in USL history for Real Monarchs SLC in the 59th minute, but it was not enough to overturn T2’s three-goal lead.

Following Wednesday’s match, T2 travel again to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Starfire Stadium on Saturday, April 11; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Sounders FC 2 (2-0-0, 6pts), also making their USL debut in 2015, have won their first two matches to start the season. Seattle defeated Sacramento Republic FC 4-2 in its inaugural match and went on to a 4-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in Week 2, with a hat-trick from forward Darwin Jones. Their match against T2 will be the third straight home match to start the season for Sounders FC 2.

Both road matches this week will be carried on a live, high-definition web stream on www.timbers2.com.