SANDY, Utah – T2 extended their season-opening unbeaten streak to three straight games with a 1-1 draw against Real Monarchs SLC in the first road game of their inaugural 2015 USL season on Wednesday night in front of 2,551 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Despite going down to 10 men in the 69th minute, T2 were able to earn the road point thanks to a first-half goal by forward Fatawu Safiu and four saves by goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.
With the draw, T2 (2-0-1, 7pts) remain undefeated through three matches and move into first place in the Western Conference standings. Fatawu opened the scoring after a clever give-and-go with Blair Gavin and placed a powerful shot at the near post, catching Real Monarchs goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez off guard, tallying his first goal of the season in the seventh minute.
Real Monarchs SLC (0-1-2, 2pts), playing host to T2 in their inaugural home opener, answered Portland’s early goal with a header by defender Justen Glad, set up by a precise free kick taken by midfielder Lucas Baldin, in the 27th minute.
T2 finished the match with 10 men after defender Rennico Clarke was ejected following a second yellow card in the 69th minute and required some solid defending and vital goalkeeping in the second half to earn the road point. Gleeson finished the match with four saves, three of which came in the second half, including a crucial diving stop on a close-range shot from Real Monarchs midfielder Wellington Paeckart in the closing minutes.
Following Wednesday’s match, T2 continue their road trip as they face Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Starfire Stadium on Saturday, April 11, in Tukwila, Wash.; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). Saturday’s road match will be available live online via a high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
Real Monarchs SLC (0-1-2, 2pts) vs. T2 (2-0-1, 7pts)
April 8, 2015 – Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, Utah)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Real Monarchs SLC 1 0 0
T2 1 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR: Fatawu (Gavin), 7
SLC: Glad (Baldin), 27
Misconduct Summary
SLC: Saucedo (Caution), 26
POR: Winchester (Caution), 32
POR: Fatawu (Caution), 46
POR: Clarke (Caution), 68
POR: Clarke (Ejection), 69
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Gleeson, D Peay, D Clarke, D Delbridge, D Thoma, M Besler, M Gavin ©, M Payne, F Winchester (Tshuma, 66), F Belmar (Evans, 86), F Fatawu (Rose,66)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luthy, D Manning, M Bodily
TOTAL SHOTS: 5; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
SLC: GK Fernandez, D Murrell, D Kavita, D Glad, D Okwuonu, M Ovalle, M Baldin © (McGovern, 70), M Pecka, F Saucedo (Navarro, 87), F Tavares (Peckaert, 45), F Velazco (Murrell, 87)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Osswald, D Copeland, M Sundly, F Brown
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1
Referee: Tyler Ploeger
Assistant Referees: Brad Jensen and Brandon Major
4th Official: Jeff Young
Attendance: 2,551
Weather: Rain/Snow mix, 33 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
