T2 Defeat Tulsa Roughnecks FC 2-0 At Merlo Field
August 22, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Portland Timbers 2 News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Receiving goals from forward Kharlton Belmar and midfielder Fatawu Safiu, T2 claimed their second consecutive win at Merlo Field and their first shutout at home, registering a 2-0 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday afternoon in front of 3,123 fans in Portland, Ore.
After a scoreless first half, T2 (10-12-2, 32pts) grabbed an early lead in the second half as Belmar opened the scoring with his 12th goal of the season to make it 1-0. T2 midfielder Dairon Asprilla played a cross from the right flank to an open Belmar who finished with his right foot from inside the box in the 51st minute. Fatawu doubled T2's lead in the 81st minute as the defense dropped off, allowing him to fire a powerful strike from outside the box into the top corner of the goal for the 2-0 lead and his sixth goal of the USL season.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC (10-10-6, 36pts) had 11 shots in the game (4 on target), but T2 goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was able to make four saves in order to record his third shutout of the season and his first at home.
"The more you can establish yourself defensively also allows you to have a better attack," said Jay Vidovich, head coach of T2. "We're more organized and had a little more control of the game that way. The ability to close out a game [is crucial] so it's very important that our defense is getting more stable and making better decisions."
Following Saturday's match, T2 hit the road to face Orange County Blues FC on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC-Irvine; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Saturday's match will also be available via a live, high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 22, 2015
- Aztex Defense Stout in 1-0 Win - Austin Aztex
- Fondy's Brace Leads Louisville City to a 3-1 Victory - Louisville City FC
- Independence Earn Vital Three Points with 2-1 Victory over Riverhounds - Charlotte Independence
- Battery Fall 3-1 at Louisville - Charleston Battery
- STL FC Falls on the Road to Richmond - Saint Louis FC
- Rochester Tops Harrisburg 4:0 - Rochester Rhinos
- Imura and Yeisley Score to Lift Richmond over Saint Louis - Richmond Kickers
- Roughnecks Beaten 2-0 in Portland by Timbers 2 - FC Tulsa
- T2 Defeat Tulsa Roughnecks FC 2-0 At Merlo Field - Portland Timbers 2
- OC Blues FC Makes Major Signing, Adding Evan Mundine - Orange County SC
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