COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Playing on the road for a second straight week, T2 defeated Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1-0 at Weidner Field on Saturday night. Forward Augustine Williams recorded his second goal of the season, as Portland secured its first win of the 2018 USL regular season.
Key plays
Early on, T2 defender Jimmy Mulligan floated a cross from the right flank into the box that picked out Williams, whose header flashed wide of the left post in the second minute.
Following a cross into the 18-yard box from defender Josh Phillips that wasn’t cleared by a Switchbacks FC defender, the ball fell to Williams, who struck a half-volleyed effort over the crossbar in the 21st minute.
In the 36th minute, midfielder Eryk Williamson found Mulligan in space from 30 yards away from goal, but his long-range shot was fired over the crossbar.
T2 scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute after second-half substitute Lamar Batista, making his season debut, fired a shot from the edge of the box that forced goalkeeper Steward Ceus to parry aside the ball into the path of Williams, who calmly finished from inside the six-yard box and into the back of the net.
First victory
The win over Switchbacks FC marked the first USL victory for T2 head coach Cameron Knowles. Additionally, the win was the club’s first over Colorado Springs in eight matches dating back to the 2015 USL regular season.
Timbers on loan
Multiple Portland Timbers players were sent on loan to T2 for Saturday’s match. Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella made his first appearance of the season, making a game-high four saves. Williamson made his professional and T2 debut, starting and playing 90 minutes. Forward Jeremy Ebobisse and defender Modou Jadama each made their second straight start, while midfielder Victor Arboleda started and played 90 minutes.
Next Game
Next up, T2 will travel to face Real Monarchs SLC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, March 31. Beginning at 12 noon (Pacific), the match against Monarchs SLC will be streamed live at www.timbers2.com.
Postgame Quote Sheet
T2 head coach Cameron Knowles
On his overall thoughts on the match…
“We knew it was going to be a challenging match in difficult conditions against a good team. We knew we were going to be in for a battle and we had to match their fight and intensity and I think the guys did that. They deserved the three points.”
On the performance of forward Augustine Williams…
“I think his work rate has been very, very good and he’s listening to the information that he’s been given. He’s taken on a lot of information and he’s worked very hard to improve himself. The goals that he scored in preseason and now are not really a surprise because he’s put a lot of work in and so he’s just seeing the reward for that.”
On how the team can build off tonight’s win heading into next week’s match at Real Monarchs SLC …
“I think the important thing is that we showed we can fight and that we can grind out a result. We’ve got a really difficult stretch coming up, starting with that game in Salt Lake, and hopefully we’re on a pitch that allows us to play a little bit more. It’s going to be difficult against a very good team.”
Portland Timbers 2 (1-1-0, 3pts) vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (1-1-0, 3pts)
March 24, 2018 – Weidner Field (Colorado Springs, Col.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Timbers 2 0 1 1
Switchbacks FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Williams, 82
Misconduct Summary:
COS: Tae-Seong (Caution), 35
POR: Mulligan (Caution), 57
POR: Phillips (Caution), 73
COS: Ajeakwa (Caution), 89
POR: Arboleda (Caution), 90
Lineups:
POR: GK Attinella, D Mulligan, D Phillips ©, D Jadama, D Smith (Batista, 82), M Hanson (Jambga, 62), M Williamson, M Lewis, M Arboleda, F Williams, F Ebobisse
Substitutes Not Used: GK Mangels, M Anguiano, M Klein, F Calixtro, F Cini
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Williams, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Batista, Williams, 1); FOULS: 12 (Phillips, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
COS: GK Ceus, D Burt, D Jack, D Hunter, D Suggs, M Schweitzer, M Tambe, M Tae-Song (Macias, 84), F Ajeakwa, F Maybin (Uzo, 10), (Uzo,Valimaa, 81), F Vercollone ©
Substitutes Not Used: GK Pouaty, D Eboussi
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Uzo, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Ajeakwa, 2); FOULS: 14 (Ajeakwa, 4); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Jordan Watts, Elias Anosov
4th Official: Benjamin Oakley
Attendance: 2,591
Weather: Partly cloudy, 64 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
