Aztex Fall 3-1 to Portland Timbers 2

June 15, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Austin Aztex News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. (Sunday, June 14, 2015) - The Austin Aztex (5-7-1) found themselves in a hole after the Portland Timbers 2 scored two goals at the end of the first half. After Devin Perales was ejected from a straight red card, the Aztex were unable to recover and ultimately fell 3-1 to the Timbers 2 Sunday evening at Merlo Field.

Blair Gavin opened up the scoring for the Timbers followed by Fatawu Safiu, who converted on a penalty kick resulting from the ejection. Trevin Caesar would pull the Aztex back within one late at the game, but Portland answered back as Jeanderson secured the win for the host team.

The Aztex hit the game in full stride looking to carry momentum from their previous win at Sacramento and hold serve with the leaders in USL's Western Conference. The Aztex attack was working down the right channel, where Kris Tyrpak and Max Gunderson paired up to create space. Gunderson was able to send in some crosses, but couldn't penetrate the Timbers backline.

For Portland, the Timbers 2 utilized the speed of Kharlton Belmar to press the Aztex defense. The Aztex, who were looking to build the attack, were able to remain calm and collected through a majority of the first half.

Right when the Aztex seemed to have control of the game, the Timbers 2 were able to provide two quick goals at the end of the first half. The first goal came on the run of play as Belmar received the ball on the right side and laid the ball off to Gavin. Gavin ripped a low shot past the outstretched arms of Devin Perales.

Just two minutes later, the Timbers found their second goal on the result of the game defining play. Belmar was the recipient of a long ball from the Portland back line and was able to beat the Aztex defender on a 50/50 ball as both players were racing toward the Aztex goal. Once Belmar sprung free, Perales was off his line and slid to hit the ball away. However, after Belmar went down resulting from the challenge, the referee determined that Perales had interfered on a clear goal scoring opportunity and issued Perales a straight red card in addition to a penalty kick attempt for Portland. Goalkeeper Cody Laurendi stepped in for the Aztex, but was unable to stop Fatawu Safiu's penalty attempt.

With the ejection, Perales will earn an automatic suspension and will miss the next USL match versus the Tulsa Roughnecks on June 20.

Portland would take the two goal advantage into halftime as the Aztex, down to 10 men, looked to find a way to get back into the game.

Paul Dalglish made a trio of substitutions early in the second half, send in Andres Cuero, Tony Rocha, and Trevin Caesar to add a charge to the Aztex offense. However, the Aztex were unable to fight past the numbers disadvantage and were unable to find the net until the 88th minute. Rocha won the ball on the left side of the midfield and hit a lead pass to Caesar. Caesar raced past his defender and slid the ball past Gleeson to bring the game within one goal.

However, the Timbers 2 squad would answer back immediately and put the game on ice when Jeanderson received a pass on the top of the Aztex penalty area and hit it low and hard past Laurendi.

The Aztex will shift to U.S. Open Cup action, where they will face the Houston Dynamo in the fourth round of the tournament on Wednesday, June 17 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Aztex will then return to Austin for their first home game since May 24 when they host the Tulsa Roughnecks on Saturday, June 20 at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 15, 2015


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