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Portland Timbers 2 will feature a host of first team players for this evening's match against Orange County Blues FC as they play their first game in Providence Park since the team came into existence at the start of the year. A win here could put T2 into a tie for first place in the USL Western Conference with their ready-made rivals, Seattle Sounders 2.
Previews
Match Preview: "Last weekend was also the return to meaningful minutes for Timbers captain Will Johnson. He put in a solid 63 minute shift in and is expected to play again tonight with T2. Will Johnson will be joined by six other first team players on a short term loan to the T2 side to gain some minutes. Norberto Paparatto, Andrew Weber, Michael Nanchoff, George Fochive, Gaston Fernandez, and Jeanderson will all join Johnson and T2 for the match tonight. Caleb Porter told the Oregonian that the plan is use to this match to keep a number of first team players sharp as the US Open Cup approaches."
Preview Interview: "The Blues have been in USL since 2011, originally as the LA Blues before they went through a rebrand and became the Orange County Blues in 2014, moving to Irvine to play at the interestingly named Anteater Stadium. They've had ups and downs over the years, and last year had a tough season marked by major roster turnover and poor results, and finished second-last in the standings. The organization also ran a successful W-League team, the Pali Blues (later renamed the LA Blues), that won consecutive league championships the past two years before being disbanded this past winter."
Match Information
Watch it on: Streaming on Timbers.com/T2 or embedded below.
Kickoff: 6:00 pm pacific at Providence Park in Portland, OR
Portland Timbers 2: 3-2-1, 3rd place in the USL Western Conference
Orange County Blues FC: 3-2-0, 5th place in the USL Western Conference