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USL FC Tulsa

Timbers 2 Stage Second-Half Rally to Top Roughnecks

May 30, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


Tulsa Roughnecks in Action
Tulsa Roughnecks in Action
(FC Tulsa)

The Tulsa Roughnecks entered Saturday's match with Portland Timbers 2 with shutout victories in their two previous league outings, and for 45 minutes, it appeared they might be on their way to a third straight. Tulsa carried a 1-0 lead into the second half, but the Timbers rallied with three goals to register a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 5,755 in downtown Tulsa.

The loss dropped the Roughnecks to 3-5-2 (11 pts.) in USL play, while Portland improved to 4-4-2 (14 pts.).

Tulsa controlled play in the first half, but were able to produce just the one goal. It came in the 17th minute on a free kick. Chad Bond delivered a cross to the back post that Kyle Venter guided into the back of the net to give the Roughnecks a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, Sammy Ochoa had an opportunity to double the lead, but his blast was saved by Portland keeper Jake Gleeson.

Kidd Nwabueze had a two chances within three minutes, but he was denied by Gleeson on one and by the woodwork on another. In the 27t h minute, his soft shot on a breakaway was gathered by Gleeson, while three minutes later his header on a cross hit the post and rolled harmlessly away.

Tulsa paid for its miss opportunities in the second half.

Portland controlled possession and play and eventually evened the score in the 64th minute on a beautiful strike from Michael Nanchoff. The striker controlled a ball just outside the box and deposited a laser into the upper corner of Tulsa keeper Zac Lubin's goal to even the score.

Ten minutes later, the Roughnecks were the victims of a penalty call. Venter was called for a handball in the box by referee Tyler Mitcham. On the PK, Nanchoff sent Lubin the wrong way and put away his second goal of the night to put the Timbers in front.

Tulsa's best chance to get on level terms came in a 60-second flurry in the 85th minute. Substitute Gibson Bardsley fought off a possible foul in the box to fire straight at Gleeson, who made one of his eight saves on the night.

Seconds later, Lucas Cordeiro went down in the box, but the Roughnecks' forward was issued a yellow card for diving by Mitcham.

The Roughnecks final chance came on a header from Andy Lorei, but Gleeson easily caught the attempt.

Two minutes into stoppage time, the Timbers caught Tulsa pushing forward and put the game away with a third goal. Rundell Winchester unselfishly set up Kharlton Belmar for his sixth goal of the season to cap the second-half comeback.

After playing three games in seven days, the Roughnecks will get a brief break. Tulsa will travel to the northwest to play Seattle Sounders 2 on Friday, June 5 with kickoff scheduled for 9:30PM Tulsa time.

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Tulsa Roughnecks in Action
Tulsa Roughnecks in Action
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 30, 2015


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