Sacramento Republic FC (2-0-1) are on the road again this Sunday, Apr. 17, as they visit Portland Timbers 2 (0-3-0) at Merlo Field at 2 p.m. The boys in Old Glory Red look to continue their 2016 USL undefeated streak and best start in franchise history, while Timbers 2 will be hoping to capture their first win of the season.
Ahead of Sunday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
Sacramento Republic FC (2-0-1) are on the road again this Sunday, Apr. 17, as they visit Portland Timbers 2 (0-3-0) at Merlo Field at 2 p.m. The boys in Old Glory Red look to continue their 2016 USL undefeated streak and best start in franchise history, while Timbers 2 will be hoping to capture their first win of the season.
Ahead of Sunday’s match, get to know Republic FC’s opponent.
HEAD COACH
Photo Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-T2
After parting ways with Jay Vidovich last November, Timbers 2 signed Andrew Gregor to lead the club for the 2016 season as head coach. Gregor is no stranger to the Timbers organization, having played for the Portland Timbers during their time in the former USL First Division in 2004 and again from 2007-2008. The Portland native also previously coached the Timbers Academy U-16 and U-18 teams and served as assistant coach to Vidovich during T2’s inaugural season in 2015.
Aside from playing for the Portland Timbers in the USL First Division, Gregor also spent time in the MLS with Columbus Crew and Kansas City Wizards during his 12 year professional playing career.
KEY PLAYERS
Timbers’ first round 2015 MLS Superdraft pick Nick Besler will play an integral role with T2. Last season, Besler was loaned to the USL side and played an important role in the T2 midfield, starting in 22 of his 25 appearances and logging more than 1,800 minutes. So far in 2016, Besler has scored one goal in T2’s loss to Swope Park Rangers KC and has started and played the full 90 minutes in each of the club’s three matches.
Forward Kharlton Belmar is also back for T2 and will hope to find his 2015 goal scoring form. In 2015, Belmar was T2’s leading goal scorer with 12 goals and seventh on the overall USL leading goal scorers’ list. The 2015 USL Rookie of the Year also had three assists and scored the winning goal in four of T2’s matches. This season, Belmar provided an assist to Besler for his goal against Swope Park Rangers but has yet to score himself.
Rounding out the midfield will be Jamaican youth international Andre Lewis. Although new to T2 this season, the 21-year-old midfielder has started every match this season and played the full 90 minutes in each one. Lewis spent last season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, tallying three goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Just days before the start of the new season, T2 added defender Steve Palacios, midfielders Christian Duarte and Irving Garcia and forward Victor Arboleda.
Palacios joins T2 for his second season in the USL after spending 2015 with Western Conference runner up LA Galaxy II. Prior to his professional career, Palacios played collegiately at Cal Poly, suiting up for the Mustangs 66 times in four seasons. The 22-year-old also played with PDL club Ventura County Fusion during the 2013 and 2014 season.
Duarte comes into T2 from California State University, Bakersfield where he played from 2012-2015. During his senior year, Duarte started all 19 matches and recorded six goals and two assists. A Houston, Texas native, this will be Duarte’s rookie professional year. He has played with the U.S. Men’s National U-17 and U-20 teams.
Joining Duarte in the midfield is Garcia. The 28-year-old will bring experience to a young team, having played in the Guatemala second division side Rosario FC last season and LA Blues prior to that. Prior to his stint in Guatemala, Garcia was drafted by the New York Red Bulls after leading UC Irvine to back to back Big West Championships. Garcia made two U.S. Open Cup appearances for the Red Bulls.
Arboleda signed to T2 from Colombian Primera Division club Deportivo Cali. He made eight appearances for the club and scored two goals, with his first goal coming in the 2015 Copa Colombia in a 2-0 win over America de Cali. The 19-year-old Arboleda has been called up to the Colombian U-15 and U-17 teams, recording one goal during his three appearances at the U-17 South American Championship.
ATTENDANCE
T2 play the majority of their home matches at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field. In their inaugural season, the average home attendance was 3,122 fans per match. This season T2 will have an opportunity to increase that average, with three matches scheduled to be played at Providence Park in May.
2015 SEASON RECAP
T2’s inaugural season ended in disappointment when the club failed to qualify for the USL Western Conference playoffs. The club won their first two ever USL matches, including their first encounter with Republic FC, but dropped points in their next three matches.
Republic FC and T2 met three times in 2015. The first match between the two sides ended in a 2-1 win for T2, but Republic FC had the upper hand in the next two match ups. Republic FC took their first win against T2 on Apr. 18, with a resounding 3-0 score at Bonney Field. The last encounter between the two sides in 2015 was at Merlo Field once again on Sept. 12, and ended in another 3-0 win for Republic FC.
With a final record of 11-15-2, T2 was left seven points out of any playoff positions.
2016 SEASON SO FAR
HEAD COACH
Photo Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-T2
After parting ways with Jay Vidovich last November, Timbers 2 signed Andrew Gregor to lead the club for the 2016 season as head coach. Gregor is no stranger to the Timbers organization, having played for the Portland Timbers during their time in the former USL First Division in 2004 and again from 2007-2008. The Portland native also previously coached the Timbers Academy U-16 and U-18 teams and served as assistant coach to Vidovich during T2’s inaugural season in 2015.
Aside from playing for the Portland Timbers in the USL First Division, Gregor also spent time in the MLS with Columbus Crew and Kansas City Wizards during his 12 year professional playing career.
KEY PLAYERS
Timbers’ first round 2015 MLS Superdraft pick Nick Besler will play an integral role with T2. Last season, Besler was loaned to the USL side and played an important role in the T2 midfield, starting in 22 of his 25 appearances and logging more than 1,800 minutes. So far in 2016, Besler has scored one goal in T2’s loss to Swope Park Rangers KC and has started and played the full 90 minutes in each of the club’s three matches.
Forward Kharlton Belmar is also back for T2 and will hope to find his 2015 goal scoring form. In 2015, Belmar was T2’s leading goal scorer with 12 goals and seventh on the overall USL leading goal scorers’ list. The 2015 USL Rookie of the Year also had three assists and scored the winning goal in four of T2’s matches. This season, Belmar provided an assist to Besler for his goal against Swope Park Rangers but has yet to score himself.
Rounding out the midfield will be Jamaican youth international Andre Lewis. Although new to T2 this season, the 21-year-old midfielder has started every match this season and played the full 90 minutes in each one. Lewis spent last season with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, tallying three goals and two assists in 14 appearances.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Just days before the start of the new season, T2 added defender Steve Palacios, midfielders Christian Duarte and Irving Garcia and forward Victor Arboleda.
Palacios joins T2 for his second season in the USL after spending 2015 with Western Conference runner up LA Galaxy II. Prior to his professional career, Palacios played collegiately at Cal Poly, suiting up for the Mustangs 66 times in four seasons. The 22-year-old also played with PDL club Ventura County Fusion during the 2013 and 2014 season.
Duarte comes into T2 from California State University, Bakersfield where he played from 2012-2015. During his senior year, Duarte started all 19 matches and recorded six goals and two assists. A Houston, Texas native, this will be Duarte’s rookie professional year. He has played with the U.S. Men’s National U-17 and U-20 teams.
Joining Duarte in the midfield is Garcia. The 28-year-old will bring experience to a young team, having played in the Guatemala second division side Rosario FC last season and LA Blues prior to that. Prior to his stint in Guatemala, Garcia was drafted by the New York Red Bulls after leading UC Irvine to back to back Big West Championships. Garcia made two U.S. Open Cup appearances for the Red Bulls.
Arboleda signed to T2 from Colombian Primera Division club Deportivo Cali. He made eight appearances for the club and scored two goals, with his first goal coming in the 2015 Copa Colombia in a 2-0 win over America de Cali. The 19-year-old Arboleda has been called up to the Colombian U-15 and U-17 teams, recording one goal during his three appearances at the U-17 South American Championship.
ATTENDANCE
T2 play the majority of their home matches at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field. In their inaugural season, the average home attendance was 3,122 fans per match. This season T2 will have an opportunity to increase that average, with three matches scheduled to be played at Providence Park in May.
2015 SEASON RECAP
T2’s inaugural season ended in disappointment when the club failed to qualify for the USL Western Conference playoffs. The club won their first two ever USL matches, including their first encounter with Republic FC, but dropped points in their next three matches.
Republic FC and T2 met three times in 2015. The first match between the two sides ended in a 2-1 win for T2, but Republic FC had the upper hand in the next two match ups. Republic FC took their first win against T2 on Apr. 18, with a resounding 3-0 score at Bonney Field. The last encounter between the two sides in 2015 was at Merlo Field once again on Sept. 12, and ended in another 3-0 win for Republic FC.
With a final record of 11-15-2, T2 was left seven points out of any playoff positions.
2016 SEASON SO FAR
Timbers 2 has had one of the roughest start of any team in the Western Conference. The club kicked off their 2016 USL season away at Swope Park Rangers, losing 2-1, with Besler scoring the only goal for T2.
T2 then welcomed Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 to Merlo Field on Apr. 2. A second half brace from Whitecaps FC 2 midfielder Daniel Haber and a penalty kick gave the away side a 3-0 lead by the 76th minute. Midfielder Dylan Damraoui cut Whitecaps FC 2’s advantage to two goals but the match would end in a 3-1 one loss for T2. T2’s last match was another home loss, this time failing to answer two first half goals from Rio Valley Grande FC Toros for a 2-0 loss.
Currently holding a record of 0-3-0, T2 has struggled the most with their finishing, scoring just two goals this season In their last match versus RVG FC, T2 outshot their opponents eight to three yet failed to find the back of the net. This Sunday will provide a tough challenge when they face Republic FC, who for their part have not allowed a single goal in 2016.
SUNDAY’S MATCH
The match is this Saturday, Apr. 17. Kickoff is 2:00 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium. The match will be live streamed at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/sacrepublicfc/matchday and fans can follow live updates on Twitter @SacRepublicFC or by using the hashtag #PORvSAC.
Timbers 2 has had one of the roughest start of any team in the Western Conference. The club kicked off their 2016 USL season away at Swope Park Rangers, losing 2-1, with Besler scoring the only goal for T2.
T2 then welcomed Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 to Merlo Field on Apr. 2. A second half brace from Whitecaps FC 2 midfielder Daniel Haber and a penalty kick gave the away side a 3-0 lead by the 76th minute. Midfielder Dylan Damraoui cut Whitecaps FC 2’s advantage to two goals but the match would end in a 3-1 one loss for T2. T2’s last match was another home loss, this time failing to answer two first half goals from Rio Valley Grande FC Toros for a 2-0 loss.
Currently holding a record of 0-3-0, T2 has struggled the most with their finishing, scoring just two goals this season In their last match versus RVG FC, T2 outshot their opponents eight to three yet failed to find the back of the net. This Sunday will provide a tough challenge when they face Republic FC, who for their part have not allowed a single goal in 2016.
SUNDAY’S MATCH
The match is this Saturday, Apr. 17. Kickoff is 2:00 p.m. at Thunderbird Stadium. The match will be live streamed at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/sacrepublicfc/matchday and fans can follow live updates on Twitter @SacRepublicFC or by using the hashtag #PORvSAC.
