Strong Second-Half Performance Propels T2 to 3-1 Win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
August 17, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Behind a strong second-half performance and a brace from forward Kharlton Belmar, T2 registered a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday night in front of 2,913 fans at Merlo Field.
Leading 1-0 after a first-half goal from Belmar, T2 (9-12-12, 9 pts) scored a pair of goals in a three-minute span in the second half as midfielder Brent Richards tallied assists on goals by Belmar and midfielder Blair Gavin. Belmar's second goal was his team-leading 11th of the season, while he also registered his third brace of 2015.
"I think we kept the ball and we were patient with it," said T2 head coach Jay Vidovich. "We were more focused on some of the individual duels in terms of what we needed to do. I liked several of the combinations when we went to goal including the goals."
Opening the scoring in the 45th minute, T2 defender Jeanderson played a ball over the Vancouver back line from the left wing to Belmar, who chested it down and fired a powerful shot inside the right post for his first goal of the match. Belmar doubled Portland's lead in the 68th minute, finishing a pinpoint pass in the box from Richards. Minutes later, Richards dribbled around multiple defenders and slotted a pass to Gavin at the right post for a finish from close range in the 71st minute.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (8-11-5, 29pts) pushed numbers forward near the end of the second half and scored a late goal as forward Caleb Clarke converted a shot attempt that rebounded off the crossbar in the 87th minute.
Following Sunday's match, T2 remain at home to face Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Merlo Field; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
Tickets for Saturday's T2 match are available online by clicking here. The match will also be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 17, 2015
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- Strong Second-Half Performance Propels T2 to 3-1 Win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 - Portland Timbers 2
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