TEMPE, Ariz. – Playing in their regular-season finale, T2 earned a 1-0 shutout victory over Phoenix Rising FC before 7,289 fans at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex on Saturday night. Second-half substitute Augustine Williams notched his fifth goal of the season with an 85th-minute header, while Portland logged its 12th shutout of 2018.
2018 USL Cup Playoffs
With the win, T2 secured the sixth seed in the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs. Portland will square off against third-seed Phoenix Rising FC on Friday, Oct. 19. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), Friday’s first-round playoff match will be streamed live on ESPN+. T2 finished the regular season with a record of 17-13-4 (55pts), setting new team records for wins and points in a season, also realizing their first playoff berth.
Road Warriors
In 17 road matches, T2 finished the regular season with a 8-5-4 record away from home. Portland is 4-1-2 in its last seven road contests dating back to July 28. Additionally, eight of T2’s 12 shutouts this season have come on the road, while goalkeeper Alex Mangels, who logged two saves in the win, logged his sixth shutout of 2018 in Saturday’s victory over Phoenix.
T2 vs. Phoenix Rising FC
T2 improved to 5-3-1 in nine all-time contests against Phoenix Rising FC, dating back to the 2015 USL regular season. Notably, Portland earned its third victory on the road (3-1-1) against Phoenix in five all-time road matches.
Key plays
In the 12th minute, midfielder Dairon Asprilla’s looping cross into the box picked out forward Foster Langsdorf, whose header was caught by Phoenix goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. Five minutes later, midfielder Marvin Loría raced past two Phoenix defenders, striking a dipping shot from distance that forced Woszczynski to parry it aside.
In the 41st minute, Langsdorf was on the receiving end of midfielder Jack Barmby’s cross into the box, but his header missed just to the right of the post.
Beginning the second half on the front foot, Loría’s in-swinging corner-kick delivery picked out defender Modou Jadama, but his header flashed over the crossbar in the 59th minute.
Two minutes after coming on as a substitute, Williams received the ball down the left side of the penalty area, forcing a save at the near post in the 81st minute.
T2 scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute after Barmby delivered a cross into the center of the box to Williams, whose header bounced underneath Woszczynski and into the back of the net. The assist marked Barmby’s third of 2018.
In stoppage time, Jadama’s long pass released Loría behind the Phoenix defense, and his left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box was saved by Woszczynski at his near post in the 92nd minute.
Next Game
Next up, T2 travel to face Phoenix Rising FC in the first round of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs on Friday, Oct. 19. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), Friday’s first-round playoff match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Postgame Quote Sheet
T2 head coach Cameron Knowles
On earning the victory in the regular-season finale…
“I thought it was a really good performance from our guys. It was a good game between two good teams and I think we were able to do a nice job of managing moments where they created some good chances and we had some really good last ditch defending. We felt like we were going to get a chance; it was a big play. It was a great ball from [Jack] Barmby and a great finish from Augustine [Williams] to score the goal and to find that breakthrough. It was great for the team to defend as a group and to see that result out in a difficult place to play against a very good team.”
On the team’s road performances throughout the season…
“I think we’ve shown we’re a good team on the road. For whatever reason, we come out and execute. We’ve had more shutouts and a good number of wins on the road. I think the guys are looking forward to this rematch on Friday.”
On the upcoming playoff match against Phoenix Rising FC…
“Both teams have had a really good look at each other, so I think it’s going to be a very good game again. Right now, we’ve got a few knocks and we’ve got to see where we’re at with healthy bodies and get guys turned around, but this is gearing up to be a very, very good game this weekend.”
T2 (17-13-4, 55pts) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (19-8-6, 63pts)
Oct. 13, 2018 – Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Tempe, Ariz.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
T2 0 1 1
Phoenix Rising FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Williams (Barmby), 85
Misconduct Summary
POR: Barmby (Caution), 34
PHX: Mala (Caution), 48
PHX: Drogba (Caution), 89
Lineups:
POR: GK Mangels, D Smith, D Diz Pe, D Jadama, D Farfan, M Zambrano, M Lewis (Ornstil, 88), M Asprilla, M Loría, M Barmby, F Langsdorf (Williams, 79)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pack, D Batista, D Hanson, D Mulligan, M Anguiano
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Loría, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Loría, Williams, 2); FOULS: 11 (Three players tied, 3); OFFSIDES:3; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 2
PHX: GK Woszczynski, D Adbul-Salaam, D Farrell, D Mala (Da Fonte, 46), D Dia, M Vega (Awako, 71), M Lambert, M Asante, M Drogba, M Johnson, F Frater (Brewer, 82)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Lubin, D Wakasa, M Fernandez, M Waldrep,
TOTAL SHOTS: 22 (Frater, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Drogba, Vega, 1) FOULS: 7 (Drogba, 4); OFFSIDES: 8; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3
Referee: Lorant Varga
Assistant Referees: Eric Boria, Andrew Bigelow
4th Official: Anthony Bersano
Attendance: 7,289
Weather: Clear, 72 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
