Frisco, Texas (June 10, 2022) – North Texas SC returns home to take on Timbers2 on Saturday, June 11 at 8PM at Choctaw Stadium. Here's everything you need to know before the game.
How to Watch
Stream: The match will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com starting 8PM.
Match Overview
NTX Record: 7-1-2 (24 points – 1st in West)
POR record: 0-7-2 (4 points – 10th in West)
NTX vs. PORall-time: First ever meeting
STORY LINES
Game of the Week
Saturday’s match is the featured MLS NEXT Pro’s game of the week. This will be NTSC’s second appearance in game of the week matches. The first appearance was on May 20, on the road against Real Monarchs. The match ended in a 3-0 win with goals from Bernard Kamungo, Hope Avayevu and Pablo Torre.
Home Sweet Home
North Texas SC will return to Choctaw Stadium after playing their last game at home nearly a month ago on May 14 vs. Whitecaps FC 2. The team is currently on a five-game unbeaten streak that started on the road vs. Sporting KC II in a 2-0 win on May 1. In the last two matches at Choctaw Stadium, the team earned a draw and a win.
Pa-Modou Kah: “We played on the road against Real Monarchs and against Colorado Rapids 2. We are finally playing at home this weekend. It’s good for the boys because we haven’t played at Choctaw in almost a month. We are looking forward to the match on Saturday.”
Accuracy is Key
North Texas SC has registered a total of 120 shots throughout 10 matches, but the team is fifth in the league with 20 goals scored. NTSC is second in the league in accurate shooting percentage with 46.7% and 53 shots on target. There have been 10 different goal scorers this year with forward Bernard Kamungo leading the team with six goals.
Pa-Modou Kah: “My staff and I are all about finding ways to improve and get better. To win games, you must score. If the opposition score one, we must score two. If the opposition scores two, then we must score three. The best stat in soccer is the final score. We have the mentality to make sure to take care of our chances.”
Defensive Giants
North Texas SC’s defense has only allowed eight goals in 10 matches played, making them the best in the league. The team also leads the Western Conference with 79% save percentage. During the month of May, North Texas SC only conceded one goal out of the 10 shots on target that the keepers faced. The team has also kept four shutouts and have two penalty kick saves.
Blake Pope: “It means a lot to have the best defense in the league, especially with all the teams and the good competition there is. It’s a great accomplishment to have the best defense in the league at the moment. We are looking to keep on going and get three points at home this weekend.”
The Opponents
Timbers2 are currently 10th in the Western Conference with a 0-7-2 record and four points in the season. Timbers2 have found the back of the net on seven occasions. Midfielder Blake Bodily leads the team with two goals in five matches. Defender Julian Bravo leads the team with 427 accurate passes with an accurate pass percentage of 81.8%. Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte has 28 saves in eight matches with a 58.3% goalkeeper saves percentage. T2 is coming off a 3-0 road defeat to Tacoma Defiance in last week’s match.
