PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing their fourth match in an eight-day span, T2 were unable to overcome an early one-goal, first-half deficit in a 1-0 loss against LA Galaxy II on Sunday night in front of 1,734 fans at Merlo Field in Portland. The loss marks Portland’s first defeat at Merlo Field since May 22.
T2 (7-11-2, 23pts) outshot LA Galaxy II 14-13, including 10-5 in the second half, as Portland pushed forward looking for the equalizer. T2 saw a flurry of attempts late in the match cut out by the LA Galaxy II defense, as well as two free kicks in the final five minutes from midfielder Fatawu Safiu that just glanced off the LA defensive wall and over the crossbar. Fatawu finished the match with a game-high six shots, while forward Rundell Winchester had four attempts for T2.
“We did a great job in the second half, we pushed, we were just looking for a break,” said Jay Vidovich, head coach of T2. “It was a better push than we’ve had in the past. We came close at the end so I take that. [It’s] positive.”
LA Galaxy II (11-5-3, 36pts) grabbed an early lead in the 15th minute as forward Jack McBean received a through ball into the penalty box behind the T2 defense and put a left-footed shot from close-range past goalkeeper Jake Gleeson inside the near left post.
T2 saw a chance in the first half fall just out of the reach of forward Kharlton Belmar in the 26th minute. Winchester made a run into the left side of the box and played a low ball across the face of goal that flashed just in front of Belmar, but the forward wasn’t able to get a foot to the ball.
Following Sunday’s match, T2 take to the road to face the Austin Aztex at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 1; kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (Pacific).
Saturday’s match will be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
T2 (7-11-2, 23pts) vs. LA Galaxy II (11-5-3, 36pts)
July 26, 2015 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
T2 0 0 0
LA Galaxy II 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
LA: McBean (Villarreal), 15
Misconduct Summary
LA: Auras (Caution), 30
POR: Biglieri (Caution), 34
POR: Fochive (Caution), 61
POR: Manning (Caution), 68
LA: Steres (Caution), 86
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Gleeson ©, D Peay (Evans, 72), D Clarke, D Manning, D Thoma, M Payne, M Fochive (Besler, 72), M Biglieri (Jeanderson ,46), M Fatawu, M Winchester, F Belmar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luthy, D Delbridge, M Lowe, F Bodily
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Fatawu, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Manning, 1); FOULS: 11 (Four players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
LA: GK Diop, D Franco, D Steres ©, D Nishanian (Diallo, 46), D Sorto, M Bowen, M M Auras, M Covarrubias, M Villareal, F Bailey (Vera, 62), F McBean
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sneddon, D Jones, D Arellano, M Fujii
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Bowen, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Five players tied, 1); FOULS: 18 (Diallo, 4); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1
Referee: Jeff Arthurholtz
Assistant Referees: Benjamin Warren, John Krill
4th Official: J.J. Blodgett
Attendance: 1,734
Weather: Partly cloudy, 70 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
Post game quote sheet
T2 head coach Jay Vidovich
On how much fatigue played a factor in the match…
“For sure. The game isn’t meant to be played that many games. You’re risking your players health at times without 48 hours rest, at least, in between so, ya, it was a factor.”
On how much the rain played a factor in the match…
“I think we didn’t adjust to it real quickly in the first 2-3 minutes but after that then we figured out what was going on and the weather let up. I don’t think that was the reason we gave up the goal, at all. Both teams quickly adapted to the conditions and sorted it out as the game went through.”
On substitution
“Medical. The idea was how much time can we give George Fochive and Taylor [Peay] without risking their bodies because they just flew back from Dallas today. The information came back to me that we could give them some additional minutes.”
On what training looks like this week…
“We’re going to give them two days off. It’ll be the first time maybe this year that we’ve done it but after the demands on them physical as well as emotionally it’s been a roller coaster week. [It was hard] with having to go in and get a result against Vancouver and having the ups of playing against Newcastle [United] and then downs of Seattle. Even today we chased the game at the end. We did a great job in the second half. We pushed We’re just looking for a break. If the referee could have given it to us or the shot that Fatawu had that trailed off the last two feet before it could have gone in. There were just opportunities we were looking for.”
On positive takeaways from the match…
“One is I think that they dug deep. Look at Andy Thoma. He’s played 90 minutes for four games straight and biting down and playing against really good opponents. To see him push like that, to see the guys push to the very end, I think that’s something we’re looking for in this organization is someone that never gives up, that’s going to fight to the end and battle. I think that’s something they’ve learned to do. It was a better push than we’ve had in the past. We came close at the end so I take that as a takeaway. [It’s] very positive.”
T2 goalkeeper Jake Gleeson
On the result…
“With the season winding down and the playoffs getting close it’s all about getting the points you need to make it in and tonight we didn’t get the points that we needed, especially at home. I think we played well in parts and we definitely pushed the game and could have, and should have gotten a result. I think we deserved a result but sometimes it doesn’t fall your way. We have to keep moving forward.”
On if fatigue played a factor in the match…
“Obviously it was a tough week and a week we have to deal with. A lot of teams in this league have to deal with games in close proximity. It’s something that you have to deal with playing in this league and you have to push through it. You can make it an excuse but at the end of the day it’s going to happen and you’re going to have to get through it.”
On if the rain played a factor in the match…
“No I don’t think so. I think living in Portland we’re used to rain. I think it made the surface slick and we could move the ball quickly. I just think there were times we could have come a little quicker but no I don’t’ think the rain had anything to do with it.”
On what the upcoming rest will do for the team…
“Obviously it’s good to step away from the game, especially after the week that we had. I think those days are going to be about getting the body right. I think a lot of the boys will go in and do treatment and go to the gym and make sure they come in flying for Wednesday. It’s big that we can get these coming into the last few games of the season to really get away a couple of niggles and injuries and push forward.”
