T2 Return Home to Face OKC Energy FC on Saturday
August 7, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a 1-0 road win over the Austin Aztex, T2 return home to kick off a three-game home stretch beginning with a match against OKC Energy FC on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Merlo Field in Portland; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
T2 (8-11-2, 26 pts) enter the weekend just five points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after earning a 1-0 shutout on the road against the Austin Aztex on Aug. 1 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Austin, Tex. Portland will look to capitalize on its home-field advantage, playing five of its final seven matches at home. T2 have posted a 5-4-0 overall home record in 2015, while registering 15 goals in nine home games in their inaugural season.
Entering the weekend, T2 rank tied for eighth among all USL teams in assists (21) and are led by forward Kharlton Belmar with nine goals through 21 matches. Belmar ranks tied for sixth in goals (9) among all USL players. The Virginia Beach, Va., native also ranks tied for seventh overall in points (21). Midfielder Fatawu Safiu ranks fifth overall in shots (52) and seventh in shots per game (2.89) through 18 games played. Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson ranks fifth overall in saves (62) and seventh in saves per game (3.88) through 16 games played.
Portland faces OKC Energy FC (9-5-7, 34pts) for the second, and final, regular-season meeting between the two clubs on Saturday. In their last meeting, T2 played with 10 men for the majority of the match and conceded two goals in the second half of a 2-0 loss against OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City on June 5.
OKC Energy FC enter Saturday's match in fourth place in the Western Conference Standings, coming off a quick turnaround following a 2-0 victory over LA Galaxy II on Tuesday at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. While the Energy have been strong at home, they have struggled on the road this season, compiling a road record of 1-4-5 overall.
Energy FC are led by forward Danni König, who ranks tied for the league lead in goals (16) and leads USL in game-winning goals (6), while also ranking second in points (36) and third in shots (63) among all USL players though 21 games played. Fellow forward Casey Townsend ranks tied for fourth in assists (6) in 19 USL appearances this year. Goalkeeper Evan Newton ranks tied for second among all USL players in shutouts (7) and has registered a 1.15 goal-against-average in 20 starts.
Tickets for Saturday's home T2 match against OKC Energy FC are available online by clicking here. Additionally, Saturday's home match will be carried on a live, high-definition web stream on www.timbers2.com.
Following Saturday's match, T2 remain at home to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, Aug. 16, at Merlo Field in Portland; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
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