PORTLAND, Ore. - Midfielder Blair Gavin and defender Jeanderson each tallied their first goals of the season as T2 earned a 3-1 win over the Austin Aztex in front of 2,605 fans Sunday night at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland.
Playing their first home match in more than three weeks, T2 (5-6-2, 17pts) scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half and added a third goal late in the second half to improve to 3-1-0 at Merlo Field this season. Gavin vaulted T2 into the lead with the opening goal in the 41st minute as he received a pass from forward Kharlton Belmar and slotted a shot from distance inside the far post.
Less than five minutes later, Aztex goalkeeper Devin Perales was issued a red card for bringing down Belmar in the penalty box on a breakaway after he controlled a long pass from Jeanderson. Forward Fatawu Safiu converted the penalty kick in first-half stoppage time, tallying his second goal in league play this season to give Portland a 2-0 lead.
Portland delivered a strong offensive performance, outshooting the Austin Aztex (5-7-1, 16pts) 15-12 and added a third goal in the 89th minute. Jeanderson ran the length of the field, combining with forward Rundell Winchester before firing a shot inside the box with his right foot to beat the goalkeeper.
The Aztex were able to pull a goal back in the 88th minute as midfielder Tony Rocha played a long pass behind the T2 defense to forward Trevin Caesar who was able control and finish with the outside of the foot to beat T2 goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.
Following Sunday’s match, T2 take to the road to face Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 for the first time this season at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday, June 21; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
Sunday’s match will be available live online via a high-definition web stream at www.timbers2.com.
T2 (5-6-2, 17pts) vs. Austin Aztex (5-7-1, 16pts)
June 14, 2015 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
T2 2 1 3
Austin Aztex 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
POR: Gavin (Belmar), 41
POR: Safiu (penalty kick), 45
ATX: Caesar (Rocha), 88
POR: Jeanderson (Winchester), 89
Misconduct Summary
ATX: Perales (Ejection), 45
POR: Winchester (Caution), 66
POR: Jeanderson (Caution), 90
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Gleeson, D Jeanderson, D Delbridge, D Evans, D Thoma, M Gavin © (Payne, 61), M Besler, M Casiple (Richards, 71), M Safiu, F Winchester, F Belmar (Tshuma, 85)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luthy, M Biglieri, D Rose
TOTAL SHOTS:15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 4
ATX: GK Perales, D Ambrose, D Golden, D Gunderson, D Rozeboom ©, M Gyorio (Rocha, 54), M Guaraci, M Timbo (Roushandel, 78), F Yates (Caesar, 61), F Tyrpak (Cuero, 54), F Touray (Laurendi, 45)
Substitutes Not Used: F/D Cruz, F King
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 3
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Andrew Deuker, Jeremy Riley
4th Official: Farhad Dadkho
Attendance: 2,605
Weather: Sunny, 86 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
