FENTON, Mo. – Playing their final game of a two-match road swing, T2 fell 1-0 to Saint Louis FC at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs on Saturday.
T2 (5-9-2, 17pts) threatened early in the first half in the 11th minute when midfielder Neco Brett sent in a cross that found midfielder Villyan Bijev, whose attempt went high of the target. In the 27th minute, Saint Louis FC goalkeeper Ryan Thompson made a diving save on Bijev’s shot from outside the box and forward Kharlton Belmar was first to the rebound, hitting his ensuing attempt off the post.
In the 57th minute, Saint Louis FC (6-5-4, 22pts) benefited from forward Irvin Herrera’s converted penalty kick after T2 defender Andy Thoma was whistled for a handball inside the penalty area.
Remaining on the attack in the second half, T2’s Andre Lewis created another goal-scoring opportunity in the 71st minute when his cross inside the box found Belmar with his shot narrowly missing the target, while Brett’s long-range effort in the 86th minute just missed the net.
On the defensive side, T2 goalkeeper Justin Luthy made four saves in the game – including a diving stop to his right in a one-on-one situation in the 73rd minute to keep T2 within one goal – and defender Rennico Clarke captained the club and made his season debut after returning from a knee injury sustained last season.
Next up, T2 will play host to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Thursday, July 7, at Merlo Field; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). The July 7 match will also be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
Postgame Quote Sheet
T2 head coach Andrew Gregor
On the match…
“We’re disappointed in the result. It’s very similar to our last game, but I felt like we created more chances. They just didn’t go in tonight, but I thought at times I thought we played pretty well.”
On Rennico Clarke’s season debut…
“I thought it was good to get Rennico back in the team. It could be tough to come back in, but I thought he did a good job, and we’ll continue to work with him. I think he’s getting better and better, but for his first game back after 10 months, I thought he did pretty well.”
T2 (5-9-2, 17pts) vs. Saint Louis FC (6-5-4, 22pts)
June 25, 2016 – World Wide Technology Park (Fenton, MO)
Scoring Summary
STL: Herrera (penalty kick), 57
Misconduct Summary
STL: Musa (Caution), 32
POR: Clarke (Caution), 54
POR: Casiple (Caution), 83
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Luthy, D Thoma (Bodily, 82), D Clarke, D Gallagher, D Farfan, M Lewis, M Casiple, M Bijev (Polk, 65),M Arboleda, M Brett, F Belmar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nelson, D Morley, M Palacios
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
STL: GK Thompson, D Barklage, D Fink, D Cochran, D Maher, M Musa, M Bond (Bushue, 67) M Rudolph (Renken, 78) M Hardware, F Ambersley (Roberts, 70), F Herrera
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pais, D Dixon, F Lynch, F Cicciarelli
TOTAL SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Assistant Referees: Christopher Slane, Jacob Post
4th Official: Dule Djurasevic
Attendance: 5,513
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 76 degrees
