Portland Timbers 2 win 3-1
May 7, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Playing their first match of the 2016 USL regular season at Providence Park, T2 defeated Real Monarchs SLC 3-1 on Saturday for their second home win of the 2016 campaign. Neco Brett tallied a brace in a 10-minute span late in the second half and Ben Polk scored his first professional goal for T2, who have earned at least a point in 4 of their last 5 games. With the win, T2 has earned three wins and a draw over their last five games (3-1-1) and improved to 2-0-2 against Real Monarchs SLC, dating back to the 2015 USL campaign. With finishes from Polk and Brett, seven different players have scored for T2, with Nick Besler, Dylan Damraoui, Kharlton Belmar, Andre Lewis and Victor Arboleda each recording goals through eight games.
Outshooting Real Monarchs SLC (2-3-2, 8pts) 3-2 in the first half, T2 (3-4-1, 10pts) opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Polk, the Timbers 20th overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, reacted quickly to slot his one-time finish into the back of the net. After a determined effort from forward Kharlton Belmar near the far post, the second-year forward evaded two defenders before sending a lateral ball to Polk for the goal.
Prior to Polk's goal, T2 threatened in the ninth minute through defender Marco Farfan when he nearly caught the goalkeeper off his line from a corner kick service. From the far left corner flag, Farfan, a member of USL Team of the Week for Week 6, bent an in-swinging ball destined for the top corner of goal, but Monarchs SLC goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez redirected the ball the near sideline and out of danger.
In the second half, T2 continued to threaten through midfielder Nick Besler when his long-range attempt at the top of the box was deflected at the post for a corner kick in the 53rd minute. In the 81st minute, T2 found the go-ahead goal from Brett after calmly placing his shot into the back of the net. After being released from midfield by second-half substitute Villyan Bijev, Brett, the Timbers 40th overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, charged past an oncoming Monarchs SLC defender before calmly bending his shot into the back of the net.
In stoppage time, Brett added his second goal of the match when he placed his break-away finish to the far, side netting. The goal stemmed from a strong defensive play from Belmar after the forward's sliding tackle won T2 possession in the midfield. With his head up, Belmar led a ball ahead of a streaking Bijev, who relayed a pass to a wide-open Brett in the middle of the park. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Brett slid his shot into the back of the net to secure Portland the win. The assist on the third goal would be Bijev's second of the match, both coming sequences with Brett.
Next week, T2 travel to Colorado to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Friday, May 13, at Swithcbacks Stadium; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific). will remain at home to play host to Sacramento Republic FC on Sunday, April 17; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific) at Merlo Field.
Friday's match will also be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
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