T2 Defeat Rio Grande Valley FC 3-2 in 2018 Home Opener
Published on April 19, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Playing their first home game of the 2018 season, T2 registered a 3-2 win over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros at Merlo Field on Wednesday night. Three different players scored in the win for T2, with Jeremy Ebobisse and Foster Langsdorf each registering their second goals of the season, while midfielder Jack Barmby tallied his first goal of 2018.
Timbers on loan
Nine Portland Timbers players appeared for T2 in the home opener. Ebobisse made his sixth straight start of the season, while Victor Arboleda appeared in his fifth match in 2018. Timbers goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh made his fourth straight appearance. Defender Modou Jadama earned his sixth straight start. Midfielder Eryk Williamson made his fourth start of the season, while Langsdorf earned his third start of 2018. Midfielder Dairon Asprilla and defender Julio Cascante made their first starts of the USL campaign, each playing 45 minutes. Barmby came on as a second-half substitute, playing 45 minutes.
T2 against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
With the win, T2 improved to 3-1-1 in five matches all-time against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, dating back to the start of the 2016 season.
T2 debut
Midfielder Darixon Vuelto made his T2 debut, logging five minutes as a second-half substitute.
Key plays
Rio Grande Valley FC took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when defender Omar Ontiveros's header from close range beat McIntosh at his near post.
Searching for an equalizer, Barmby floated a cross from the right flank to Ebobisse, whose strong header flashed just past the post in the 50th minute.
T2 equalized in the 56th minute after Barmby's cross from the right wing picked out Arboleda in the center of the six-yard box. Arboleda headed the ball into the path of Ebobisse, who powered a strong, volleyed attempt past RGVFC goalkeeper Nicolas Corti at his near post.
After being fouled inside the box by Toros defender Conor Donovan, Barmby stepped up to the penalty spot and slotted his finish into the lower corner of the net in the 61st minute.
Portland scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute when second-half substitute Terrell Lowe delivered a cross from the left wing that Langsdorf headed into the back of the net from very close range. The finish marked Langsdorf's second consecutive match with a goal scored.
The Toros made it a 3-2 game after midfielder Todd Wharton converted a penalty kick attempt in the 81st minute.
Next Game
Next up, Portland continues a three-match homestand when it plays host to Reno 1868 FC at Merlo Field on Saturday, April 21. Beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific), the match against Reno 1868 FC will be streamed live on ESPN+.
T2 (3-2-1, 10pts) vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (0-3-2, 0pts)
April 18, 2018 - Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
T2 0 3 3
Rio Grande Valley FC 1 1 2
Scoring Summary:
RGV: Ontiveros (Wharton), 30
POR: Ebobisse, 56
POR: Barmby, (Penalty kick), 61
POR: Langsdorf (Lowe), 68
RGV: Wharton (Penalty kick), 81
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Batista (Caution), 22
RGV: Padilla (Caution), 33
RGV: Zaldivar (Caution), 42
RGV: Etim (Caution), 45+2
POR: Barmby (Caution), 76
POR: Batista (Caution), 90+2
RGV: Zaldivar (Caution), 90+4
Lineups:
POR: GK McIntosh, D Mulligan, D Cascante (Lowe, 45), D Jadama, D Batista, M Zambrano, M Williamson, M Asprilla (Barmby, 45), M Langsdorf (Vuelto, 85), M Arboleda, F Ebobisse
Substitutes Not Used: GK Mangels, M Lewis, M LorÃa, F Williams
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Ebobisse, Zambrano, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 1); FOULS: 18 (Batista, Ebobisse, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3
RGV: GK Corti, D Padilla (Greene, 74), D Conovan, D Ontiveros, D Adams, M Wright, M Wharton, M Perea, M Etim (Garza, 56), M Zaldivar, F Delgado (Jones, 83)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sanchez, D Castellanos, M Aguilar, M Enriquez
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Delgado, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Five players tied, 1); FOULS: 14 (Wharton, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 0
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Assistant Referees: Seth Martin, Andrew Marihart
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
Attendance: 1,748
Weather: Partly cloudy, 58 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 19, 2018
- Preview: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at FC Cincinnati - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Lights FC to Participate in 2018 U.S. Open Cup, Open to All U.S.-Based MLS, USL & Amateur Clubs - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Republic FC Extend Undefeated Start to the Season to Six Games - Sacramento Republic FC
- Late Goal Forces Foxes to Settle for Draw - Fresno FC
- T2 Defeat Rio Grande Valley FC 3-2 in 2018 Home Opener - Portland Timbers 2
- Late Strike from Bakero Gives Roughnecks 2-2 Draw in Fresno - FC Tulsa
- Switchbacks Fall to Sacramento in the USL Game of the Week - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
