AUSTIN, Tex. – T2 earned a 1-0 shutout on the road against the Austin Aztex in front of 5,146 fans at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Austin, Tex., on Saturday night. Portland midfielder George Fochive scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute to give T2 the three points on the road.
In a solid defensive performance, T2 (8-11-2, 26pts) earned their first one-goal victory on the road in their inaugural season. Portland absorbed pressure from the Aztex for the majority of the first half, but were able to capitalize in the 54th minute as Fochive got on the end of a rebounded corner kick and sent a blistering, left-footed half volley past Aztex goalkeeper Devin Perales. It was the second goal Fochive has scored in five appearances for T2.
Portland now sits just one point out of the final playoff position in the USL Western Conference.
“We played our way into the match and were able to absorb pressure from Austin in the first half, but we found our time to play, our time to attack and we found our goal when we needed it,” said T2 head coach Jay Vidovich. “It was another great growth experience for us on the road.”
Austin Aztex (7-10-3, 24pts) were unable to find the back of the T2 net and suffered their first defeat at home since moving to Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on June 20. The Aztex had two good chances in the first half through midfielder Kris Tyrpak, but T2 goalkeeper Jake Gleeson parried both efforts away from goal. Defender Anthony Manning also helped keep a clean sheet as he cleared the ball off the goal line from a dangerous Aztex cross in the 68th minute. Gleeson finished the match with four saves and recorded his second shutout of the season.
T2 only have two more away games the rest of the season and will look to capitalize on home-field advantage as they play five of the next six matches at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland.
Following Saturday’s match, T2 return home to the Rose City as they play host to OKC Energy FC at Merlo Field on Saturday, Aug. 8; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Tickets for Saturday’s T2 match are available online by clicking here. Additionally, the match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
T2 (8-11-2, 26pts) at Austin Aztex (7-10-3, 24pts)
Aug. 1, 2015 – Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex (Austin, Tex.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Austin Aztex 0 0 0
T2 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
POR: Fochive, 54
Misconduct Summary
POR: Fatawu (Caution), 4
POR: Fochive (Caution), 55
ATX: Rocha (Caution), 67
ATX: Ambrose (Ejection), 90
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Gleeson ©, D Thoma, D Clarke, D Manning, D Jeanderson, M Besler, M Fochive, M Biglieri (Casiple, 62), M Fatawu (Bodily, 90), M Winchester (Payne, 80), F Belmar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luthy, D Evans, M Lowe
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4
ATX: GK Perales, D Gunderson, D Rozeboom ©, D Cruz, D Ambrose, M Cuero, M Rocha, M Tyrpak, M Yates (Touray, 62), M Gall (King, 62), F Caesar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Laurendi, D Roushandele, D Fekete, M Guaraci, M Gyorio
TOTAL SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 3
Referee: William Tomlinson
Assistant Referees: Francisco Bermudez, Jennifer Garner
4th Official: Pedro Trejo Jr.
Attendance: 5,146
Weather: Sunny, 99 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
