Battling back from an injury expect to see Timbers regular Diego Chara getting a few minutes in with T2 to start the season (photo credit: Diego Diaz)
Preview
The United Soccer League regular season begins this weekend and Portland Timbers 2 face their Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders 2 on Friday.
The match will be the first look at S2’s new home in Tacoma, Cheney Stadium. The venue will not be the only thing new, as fresh faces abound for both sides. S2 and T2 have both undergone coaching changes in the offseason. Former A-League player and S2 Assistant Coach John Hutchison takes the helm for Seattle. T2 will be lead by former Timbers Assistant Coach Cameron Knowles.
Ray Saari is back with S2 for the 2018 USL season, who kick off their campaign against T2 (photo credit: Gerrit te Hennepe)
Seattle Sounders 2
S2 has won 10 of the previous 11 meetings, winning all three in 2017. Seattle will hope to continue that trend on Friday. However, with Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer rotating players for CONCACAF Champions League play, loans from the first team will likely be limited for S2. Instead, S2 will have to rely heavily on it’s USL core and, potentially, academy players on loan.
Seattle’s academy will not have to be tapped for promising 16-year-old Azriel Gonzalez. The US youth international will likely feature and will hope to build on the successes of his first professional season. Recently signed David Estrada should play a significant role as well. The 30-year-old former Sounder will provide veteran leadership for a side brimming with youth.
Portland Timbers 2
Last year T2 were abysmal, winning only three matches. Scoring woes were largely responsible for their struggles, as T2 mustered a mere 27 goals in 2017. An influx of dynamic, young prospects at both T2 and Portland Timbers should help bolster their attack. Whether international signings Darixon Vuelto and Marvin Loría will be available for the match, however, is uncertain
Plenty of first team prospects should be available for T2. US youth international Jeremy Ebobisse will likely start up top for T2. The 21-year-old center forward will look to open his account early and cause a selection dilemma for first team Manager Gio Saverese.
Also hoping to impress Saverese is fellow US youth international Eryk Williamson. Friday’s match should provide a first look at the 20-year-old midfielder. Likely to be deployed centrally, Williamson will aim to get on the ball and dictate tempo.
Sharing the middle of the pitch with the youngster could be a familiar and smiling face: Diego Chara. Having featured for T2 in their previous preseason match and with the first team off this weekend, T2 should provide the affable midfielder with much needed minutes in his return to full fitness.
Broadcast Details
Stream online at Timbers2.com, 7 p.m. PST.
T2
S2
