T2 Comeback Bid Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to OKC Energy FC at Merlo
Published on August 9, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite scoring three consecutive goals, T2 were unable to overcome a four-goal deficit in a 4-3 loss against OKC Energy FC in front of 2,433 fans on Saturday night at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland.
T2 (8-12-2, 26pts) fell behind OKC Energy FC (10-5-7, 37pts) as forward Danni König scored a hat-trick and forward Kyle Greig added another goal to give Energy FC a 4-0 lead in the first half. Portland mounted a comeback and was able to pull three goals back to make it 4-3 by the 79th minute. Portland rallied as midfielder George Fochive scored at the stroke of halftime, recovering the ball at midfield and driving down the field, shaking off a defender, before firing a low drive inside the near post and into the back of the net to make it 4-1 in the 45th minute.
Fochive completed his brace to make it 4-2 in the 46th minute as he received a pass from midfielder Michael Nanchoff and finished with a powerful drive across the face of goal and inside the far post to make it 4-2.
"The message to the guys is you can't give up and that you have to push," said Jay Vidovich, head coach of T2. "They have it within them. They're going to have to have the mental toughness to get after a game and take it over."
Portland continued pressing in the second half and were rewarded as Michael Seaton, acquired by the Portland Timbers from D.C. United on Thursday, cut Portland's deficit to one goal in the 79th minute. He received a pass from Nanchoff, split two defenders and finished between the legs of Evan Newton the OKC goalkeeper to make it 4-3.
Following Saturday's match, T2 remain at home to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, Aug. 16, at Merlo Field in Portland; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Tickets for Saturday's T2 match are available online by clicking here. The match will also be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
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