PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing in their final match of the 2015 USL regular season at Merlo Field, T2 were unable to overcome a second-half deficit in a 1-0 loss against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in front of 2,725 fans on Saturday afternoon.
With two games remaining on the regular-season schedule, T2 (10-14-2, 32pts) are currently eighth in the Western Conference standings, sitting six points behind Sacramento Republic FC for the final playoff spot in the conference.
“We regroup, train and see if we can improve individually and collectively,” said T2 head coach Jay Vidovich. “We have two more matches against two quality teams who are above us in points and it’s an opportunity to get after it.”
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (13-9-3, 42pts) forward Miguel Gonzalez opened the scoring as he unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box after getting on the end of a rebounded corner kick in the 65th minute to give Colorado Springs a 1-0 lead.
Portland created several scoring chances in match, including a header by midfielder Brent Richards that struck the outside of the post in the 20th minute. Richards had two more chances on goal in the 79th minute, but his header and follow-up shot were both parried away by Switchbacks FC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick.
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber helped keep T2 in the match as he registered seven saves, including four in the first half. Weber kept the Switchbacks off the board, making a key stop on forward Charles Eloundou in the 38th minute and a kick save deep in first-half stoppage time on a close range effort by midfielder Luke Vercollone.
Following Saturday’s match, T2 square off against Sacramento Republic FC in their regular-season home finale on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Providence Park; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
T2 (10-14-2, 32pts) vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (13-9-3, 42pts)
Sept. 5, 2015 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
COS 0 1 1
T2 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
COS: Gonzalez, 65
Misconduct Summary
COS: Phillips (Caution), 23
POR: Delbridge (Caution), 34
COS: Vercollone (Caution), 46
POR: Manning (Caution), 51
COS: Hoffman (Caution), 82
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Weber, D Thoma, D Manning, D Delbridge (Bodily, 77), D Fisher, M Gavin ©, M Besler, M Fatawu, M Richards, M Biglieri (Winchester, 63), F Belmar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luthy, D Farfan, M Perez, M Lowe, M Casiple
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 7
COS: GK Gorrick, D Christian (N. Robinson, 66), D Phillips, D Greer, D Burt, M Harada, M Vercollone ©, M Seth (S. Robinson, 85), F Gonzalez (Smith, 90), F Eloundou (Armstrong, 72), F Hoffman (King, 82)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Badr, F Maybin
TOTAL SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistant Referees: Andrew Deuker, J.J. Blodgett
4th Official: Bennet Savage
Attendance: 2,725
Weather: Cloudy, 68 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
Post Game Quote Sheet
T2 head coach Jay Vidovich
On the plan going forward…
“We regroup, train and see if we can improve individually and collectively. We have two more matches against two quality teams who are above us in points and it’s an opportunity to get after it.”
On playing the last regular-season match at Merlo Field...
“I’m pretty sad about leaving it, this being our last one. It’s been fantastic. The crowd, Timbers Army, has supported from different weather patterns throughout the year from the heat to the smoke, the rain and everything else so it’s been great. The field has been fantastic so some good memories in the first year.”
On positive takeaways from the match…
“Once again, I thought our organization was stronger. We were more in tune to what our responsibilities were so I appreciated that. I think it was mainly a T2 group [on the field today] so it was a chance to see if they’re ready for the next step.”
T2 forward Brent Richards
On playing at Merlo Field this season…
“We loved it. It’s always a great crowd at Merlo. We have a great support group over there with their T2 scarves and everything so it’s nice to have them always cheering for us. Obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted today but they are always there for us and we appreciate that a lot.”
On the plan going forward…
“It’s been the same all season, we are just focusing on the next match. Right now that game didn’t go the way we wanted to so now we have to focus on next week. We’ll be back at Providence Park again, playing Sacramento [Republic FC] and they’re ahead of us too so we’re going to focus on the next one and do the best we can.”
On the upcoming experience of playing at Providence Park…
“It’ll be good for us. We’ve played some games, preseason games too, there so it’s not like it’s unfamiliar to us. It’ll be a little bigger because it’s Providence Park, it’s where the first team plays and that’s ultimately where every guy on the team wants to be. We’re looking forward to it a lot and we’re looking to bring our A game so it will be a good test for us.”
On hitting the post in a near goal…
“I think that’s the second or third time I’ve hit the post with my head this season. It was just a hair off so it was unlucky but it’ll be closer next time.”
