Photo Credit: Sam Ortega / Portland Timbers 2
Portland Timbers 2 3-Rio Grande Valley FC 2
Portland Timbers 2 (3-2-1, 10pts) match their 2017 win total, Wednesday, defeating Rio Grande Valley FC (0-3-2, 2pts) for their third win of the season.
Playing against a winless RGVFC and fielding a starting XI which included occasional Portland Timbers starter Dairon Asprilla and a bevy of other first team players on loan, T2 looked assured of victory. Portland had ample possession early, played on the front foot, and found opportunity on the wing.
Despite a salvo of crosses T2 could not find a goal and RGVFC would open the scoring in the 30th minute. Toros captain Todd Wharton took a corner, which was flicked on to defender Omar Ontiveros, who headed it home.
T2 were resolute, however, finding an equalizer in the 56th minute. Winger Jack Barmby played in a cross that Victor Arboleda headed back to forward Jeremy Ebobisse, who notched his second goal of the season with a volleyed finish. All three players involved are on loan from the first team.
Five minutes later, Portland would take the lead. Barmby was taken down in the 18-yard-box and converted the ensuing penalty kick.
.@TimbersFC2 are firing on all cylinders tonight!
Check out all three of their goals vs @RGVFC so far. #PORvRGV pic.twitter.com/pvwXH5z1KR
— USL (@USL) April 19, 2018
Foster Langsdorf, on loan from the first team, would double T2’s lead in the 68th minute. Left back Terrell Lowe found space on the overlap and sent a cross to the back post. Langsdorf beat RGVFC goalkeeper Nicolas Corti to the ball and willed it in. The goal was the former Stanford standout’s second on the season, as well as his second in as many games.
The Toros where not to be dispatched so easily and came charging back. RVGFC were awarded a penalty kick after Terrell Lowe fouled Zach Wright in the box. Wharton stepped to the spot and scored. The goal would only be consolation as the match would finish 3-2.
The match, however, would not finish with 22 players on the field. T2 left back Lamar Batista and RGVFC winger Matias Zaldivar were sent off after both received their second yellow cards of the match for a fracas in stoppage time.
Much-awaited signing Darixon Vuelto made his debut for T2 in a late cameo appearance. Vuelto is easily described as fast.
T2 play their second of three at home on Saturday against Reno 1868 FC at 7 p.m. PST.
