T&T forward Trevin Caesar scored his first goal for his new club, Orange County Blues FC with a beautiful first touch and finish, and could have had more if not for another good performance by Wade Hamilton in goal for Portland Timbers II in their US Soccer League match on Wednesday at Anteater Stadium.
The game opened with neither side able to create many openings, but T2 (1-4-0) record for three points, almost took the lead in the 10th minute when Victor Arboleda got to a looping pass by Andre Lewis between Blues goalkeeper Brandon Miller and defender Roy Meuus first at the top of the penalty area, only for a deflection by Miller to allow Meeus to recover with the goal open.
The Blues (2-2-1 record)for seven points, began to take more control of possession as the half went on, and had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 25th minute when a cross by Pavle Popara from the right found Akwafei Ajeakwa alone 10 yards out, but the former Chico State forward mistimed his header and it went harmlessly wide.
Didier Crettenand went close to his third goal in as many games seven minutes later for Orange County as T2’s defense struggled to clear a cross from the right. The Swiss midfielder drove into the right side of the penalty area, but his shot was turned away by Portland goalkeeper Wade Hamilton.
Six minutes before the break, however, the breakthrough arrived as a long pass by Maurice Pluntke from the Blues’ half was headed down by Ajeakwa to Caesar, and the T&T international controlled perfectly and drove a finish into the right corner of the net from 12 yards.
The speedy former Morvant Caledonia United and Ma Pau FC striker also came close to scoring twice in the second-half, but in the end his lone item was enough for Orange County to earn all three points.
Caesar, who came off the bench to score a double in the Soca Warriors 6-0 Concacaf Semifinal Round World Cup Qualifying Group C win over St Vincent and The Grenadines on March 29, and his Orange County Blues returns to action on April 30 against Sacramento Republic at Bonney Field.