T2

USL MATCH PREVIEW | T2 travel to face Real Monarchs SLC Wednesday, Sacramento Republic FC Saturday

Kharlton Belmar, T2 vs. Sac, 4.17.16

PORTLAND, Ore. â€“ Playing their second of three matches in seven days, T2 will first travel to play Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 17, before traveling to Bonney Field to face Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, Aug. 20. Set to begin at 6 p.m. (Pacific), Wednesday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.

The match on Wednesday marks the second and final meeting between T2 and Real Monarchs SLC this season, with Portland defeating Real Monarchs 3-1 in the previous meeting between the two clubs at Providence Park on May 7. In four all-time meetings dating back to last season, Portland has a 2-0-2 record against the Monarchs.

T2 (7-11-4, 25pts) enter Wednesday’s match looking to extend a two-game winning streak and a three-game unbeaten run following a 2-1 win against Orange County Blues FC at Merlo Field on Aug. 14. T2 opened the scoring in the 28th minute when midfielder Blake Bodily sent in a delivery from a corner kick that picked out defender Steven Taylor, who headed the ball in the far right corner of the net. Two minutes later, midfielder Victor Arboleda scored his third goal of the season after being released into space by midfielder Villyan Bijev and fired his right-footed shot into the back of the net. Through 22 games played, midfielder Neco Brett ranks first on the team in goals scored (5), while Bijev leads the team in assists (5).

Real Monarchs SLC (7-11-5, 26pts) head into Wednesday’s match following a 1-0 win over Swope Park Rangers on Aug. 13 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference, the Monarchs have a 3-5-3 record at home. Forward Ricardo Velasco, who last scored in a 3-2 win over Sacramento Republic on July 6, leads the team in goals (7) and assists (5), while forward Maikon Orellana ranks second on the club with three goals.

Following Wednesday’s match, T2 will travel to face Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field on Saturday; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific).

Sacramento Republic FC (10-6-7, 37pts) enter Saturday’s match following a 4-3 victory over Saint Louis FC on Aug. 13 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park. Sitting in a three-way tie for first place in the Western Conference, Sacramento have a 5-3-3 home record. Forward Cameron Iwasa leads the team with nine goals scored, while midfielder Daniel Barrera ranks first in the USL in assists (7).

Saturday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.