OKLAHOMA CITY – The Portland Timbers 2 claimed a 3-0 victory against OKC Energy FC on Saturday night at Taft Stadium as Augustine Williams notched two assists for the visitors. Energy FC almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Christian Ibeagha fired over the crossbar from close range following a corner kick, but the hosts should have gone ahead just past the half-hour mark when Jaime Siaj broke in on goal alone, only to mis-hit his finish. Portland took the lead in the 34th minute as Augustine Williams turned his man well on the right side of the penalty area and centered for a first-time finish by Foster Langsdorf into the right corner. OKC almost hit back three minutes later when Siaj hit the left post, but T2 doubled its lead nine minutes into the second half as Victor Arboleda fired home low into the left corner of the net after Energy FC’s defense was unable to deal with a long clearance forward. Portland wrapped up its second win of the season when Lamar Batista scored from the penalty spot after Langsdorf was brought down just inside the penalty area, capping a miserable night for the hosts.

Scoring:
34’ – POR – Foster Langsdorf (Augustine Williams)
54’ – POR – Victor Arboleda (Augustine Williams)
84’ – POR – Lamar Batista (penalty)

• #OKCvPOR: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Portland’s struggles in 2017 came from a lack of goal-scoring punch, so the opportunism the side showed to put its chances away in a tough road environment for the club’s second win of the regular season was a very positive sign on Saturday night. Both goals were created by Augustine Williams, who laid on sharp finishes for Foster Langsdorf – the three-time College Cup winner at Stanford’s first professional goal – and Victor Arboleda. After Williams’ recent game-winning goal against Colorado Springs, the young striker is showing signs of taking an important jump forward.

• 2. While T2’s finishing was crisp most of the night, it was an evening to quickly forget for OKC Energy FC’s Jaime Siaj, who was unable to take advantage of opportunities at key moments of the game that could have meant a different result. Siaj’s blown breakaway shortly before Portland took the lead, a shot that hit the post soon after Langsdorf’s opening goal, and a flicked header that went just wide while Energy FC still trailed by only a goal early in the second half were all chances that could have found the net but didn’t, which added up to a tough night for the hosts.

• 3. Portland wrapped up its five-game road trip with a 2-2-1 record, a very creditable performance to start the season before its home opener that puts T2 into a solid early-season position it can now look to build on. By contrast, Energy FC’s four-game losing streak is now starting to become a concern. OKC has come back from slow starts to a season before, including a season ago, but next weekend’s visit to the Swope Park Rangers is not looking like an appealing trip right now.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Eryk Williamson, Portland Timbers 2 – Williamson put in a measured midfield display for T2, winning 12 of 14 duels overall and connecting passes effectively across the field.

Upcoming Games:

OKC Energy FC at Swope Park Rangers – April 14, 8:30 p.m. ET, Shawnee Mission South District Stadium

Portland Timbers 2 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC – April 18, 10 p.m. ET, Merlo Field