USL Game Report

Thursday, April 2, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers 2 earned a 2-1, come-from-behind victory against reigning USL champion Sacramento Republic FC as forward Steven Evans tallied the late game-winning goal at Merlo Field on Thursday night.

With the win, T2 (2-0-0, 6 points) earned all six points from their first two home games in their inaugural USL season. A second-half substitution, Evans pounced on a ball that was redirected by a defender and fired a shot from distance for his first goal of the season in the 86th minute to give T2 a 2-1 lead.

Republic FC (1-2-0, 3 points) took a 1-0 lead in the match as forward Cameron Iwasa finished a chance in the 61st minute, placing a low shot into the corner after a T2 defender slipped in the box.

T2 quickly answered back as Kharlton Belmar scored his third goal in two matches, receiving a pass at the far post from Taylor Peay, finishing with his first touch in the 63rd minute to level the score.

Following Thursday’s match, T2 hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to again face off against Real Monarchs SLC on Wednesday, April 8, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT.

Republic FC returns home to take on LA Galaxy II at its Bonney Field Opening Night on Saturday, April 11.  Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., and the match is sold out.