The Portland Timbers 2 became one of just four teams to remain perfect on the United Soccer League season last week, beating defending champion Sacramento Republic 2-1 in dramatic fashion to improve to 2-0.
The Charleston Battery are the league's only 3-0 team, while Portland, the Seattle Sounders 2 and Arizona United are all 2-0. The New York Red Bulls II picked up their first win in style over the weekend, improving to 1-0-1 with a comfortable 4-1 win over Toronto FC II.
This week's games include the first USL meeting between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers since 2008 and the first two home games at Rio Tinto Stadium for the Real Monarchs. FC Montreal will play their first stand-alone home game at the Stade Saputo complex on Saturday.
Here’s a rundown of the rest of the action over the weekend:
New York Red Bulls II 4, Toronto FC II 1 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
With an off weekend in Major League Soccer due to the Montreal Impact's Champions League schedule, the New York Red Bulls loaned 11 players to Red Bulls II, started nine of those on Saturday afternoon and rolled to the club's first win.
Homegrown Player Sean Davis set up Red Bulls II's first goal in the eighth minute, forcing a turnover and feeding Anatole Abang for a one-time finish. Right back Shawn McLaws added a second goal in the first half.
Toronto FC II came out hot early in the second half, as academy signing Luca Uccello forced an own goal that deflected off of Red Bulls defender Karl Ouimette.
Although Toronto threatened to tie the score, New York eventually pulled away. Academy callup Derrick Etienne and Abang combined to earn a penalty kick that was converted by Marius Obekop before first-round SuperDraft pick Leo Stolz provided the fourth goal from an Etienne assist.
MLS players on loan
NY: Kyle Reynish (90 mins); Shawn McLaws (90 mins, 1 goal); Karl Ouimette (90 mins); Sean Davis (90 mins, 1 assist); Leo Stolz (90 mins, 1 goal); Connor Lade (67 mins); Manolo Sanchez (64 mins, 1 assist); Anatole Abang (90 mins, 1 goal); Marius Obekop (89 mins, 1 goal); Andrew Jean-Baptiste (11 mins).
TFC: Alex Bono (90 mins); Chris Mannella (90 mins); Jay Chapman (90 mins); Jordan Hamilton (90 mins); Manny Aparicio (26 mins).
Red Bulls recap | Toronto FC recap
Portland Timbers 2 2, Sacramento Republic 1 (USL recap | highlights | full game replay)
Timbers 2 moved to 2-0 with a dramatic win over defending champion Sacramento Republic last Thursday night. Former Portland Homegrown Player signing Steven Evans scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock.
Cam Iwasa had opened the scoring for Sacramento in the 61st minute, but Portland SuperDraft pick Kharlton Belmar one-timed home a cross from on-loan Taylor Peay to tie the score just two minutes later. Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made four saves for the Timbers.
MLS players on loan
POR: Jake Gleeson (90 mins), Taylor Peay (90 mins), Andy Thoma (90 mins), Nick Besler (90 mins), Schillo Tshuma (90 mins).
SAC: none
Portland recap | Sacramento recap
This week's games
Wed., April 8 - Real Monarchs vs. Portland Timbers 2, 9pm ET
Fri., April 10 - Richmond Kickers vs. Wilmington Hammerheads, 7pm ET
Sat., April 11 - FC Montreal vs. Rochester Rhinos, 2:30pm ET
Sat., April 11 - Real Monarchs vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks, 6:30pm ET
Sat., April 11 - St. Louis FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 8:30pm ET
Sat., April 11 - Austin Aztex vs. Arizona United, 9pm ET
Sat., April 11 - Seattle Sounders 2 vs. Portland Timbres 2, 10:30pm ET
Sat., April 11 - Sacramento Republic vs. LA Galaxy II, 10:30pm ET
Sun., April 12 - New York Red Bulls II vs. Wilmington Hammerheads, 4pm ET
Sun., April 12 - Orange County Blues vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 2, 7pm ET
Every game of the 2015 USL season will be streamed live on team Youtube channels. For highlights, visit the USL's official Youtube channel.
