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USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks Beaten 2-0 in Portland by Timbers 2

August 22, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


The Tulsa Roughnecks string of good results in the Pacific Northwest came to an end Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 loss to Portland Timbers 2. After a scoreless first half, the Timbers scored a pair of second-half goals to record the victory.

Tulsa's Iarfhlaith Davoren battles Dairon Asprilla during Saturday's match. Asprilla has played in 20 MLS matches this season for the Timbers first team. (Courtesy of Portland Timbers 2)

The loss for Tulsa was only its second since June 27. The defeat evens the Roughnecks record at 10-10-6 and leaves them with 36 points in the Western Conference Table. They now have two matches remaining in the regular season as they pursue one of the six playoff berths available in the West.

Timbers 2 had only two shots on goals in Saturday's match, but they made them count by scoring goals on both.

The temperature for kickoff at Portland's Merlo Field was 83 degrees under hazy skies from the nearby wildfires. The Roughnecks were hoping to repeat their earlier performance this season in the northwest when they recorded resounding victories over Seattle Sounders 2 and Vancouver Whitecaps 2.

The game began promisingly as Tulsa had the first chance when Cristian Mata found himself in space in front of goal, but his shot went high over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Timbers 2 had a chance at the other end, but a header from Anthony Manning caromed off the goalpost.

After the interval, it took Portland only six minutes to go in front. A cross from Dairon Asprilla, who has played in 20 matches in Major League Soccer this season for the Timbers first team, found an unmarked Kharlton Belmar in front of goal. Belmar slotted home for his team-leading 12th goal of the season to give Timbers 2 the lead.

After the goal, the Roughnecks responded with their best run of play. In a span of ten minutes, Mata had a shot saved by Portland keeper Jake Gleeson, while Kidd and Henri had good efforts that were off target.

In the 69th minute, Mata had a right-footed shot that just nicked the far post before going out of play for a corner kick.

After regaining possession, Tulsa's Sammy Ochoa found space for a shot, but the frustrating afternoon for the Roughnecks continued as his effort went straight to Gleeson.

Timbers 2 put the game away on a counter attack in the 81st minute. Fatawu Safiu's effort from outside the box left Jake Feener with no chance and gave Portland the vital second goal to put the match away.

It was the first time the Roughnecks had been shutout since June 13.

Tulsa will be back in action in one week. The Roughnecks will again travel west to play their next-to-last match of the regular season next Saturday, August 29 in Sacramento. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00pm CDT at Sacramento's Bonney Field.

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