Disappointing result as T2 draw with Roughnecks

Photo Credit: Rich Crimi/Tulsa Roughnecks

T2 0-Tulsa Roughnecks FC 0

Portland Timbers 2 (1-2-1, 4pts) split points with Tulsa Roughnecks FC (0-3-1, 1pts) in a disappointing 0-0 draw.

While a point on the road is generally a positive, merely getting a point against a struggling opponent is far from the desired result. “The team will be disappointed that they didn’t get three points,” said Head Coach Cameron Knowles after the match. “All of us involved think we could have gotten a little bit more out of that game.”

Seeking a win, Knowles sent out a lineup loaded with Portland Timbers players on loan. T2 started the match playing confident, attacking soccer. Midfielder Eryk Williamson found an abundance of space and time in the center of pitch. In the 14^th minute, Williamson made a threatening dribble and laid the ball off to winger Victor Arboleda, whose shot was blocked by a Tulsa defender.

It took nearly twenty minutes for the Roughnecks to find the match but find it they did. In the 19^th minute, Josh Morton sent a curler from inside the 18-yard-box over the bar. Three minutes later, winger Fernando Arce narrowly missed from a long free kick opportunity.

T2 had their best opportunity of the half in the 44^th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse, playing as a left winger, headed a cross from right back Jimmy Mulligan, which goalkeeper Fabian Cerda slapped wide with a diving save.

The second half brought threatening looks from the Roughnecks and two beautiful saves from T2 goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. The first came in the 47^th minute, when Arce found a deflected ball in the T2 18-yard-box and ripped a shot in traffic, which McIntosh stopped with an athletic effort. The 62^nd minute brought another tremendous chance for Arce. After dribbling around Portland winger Marvin Loria, the ever-dangerous Arce found space at the top of the box and sent a dipping shot bouncing off the crossbar.

The moment of the match came in the 86^th minute, when Arce picked out defender Claudio Munoz from a corner kick. Munoz flicked the ball on the volley toward the far post. McIntosh blocked the shot with an intrepid diving effort.

We're just going to hang onto this one for a little bit, @TimbersFC2 ?.#TULvPOR pic.twitter.com/ZSCbnaOSiZ

— USL (@USL) April 5, 2018

Portland looked languid in the attack and sloppy in possession for much of the second half. T2 was over reliant on Arboleda, willing only to attack up the right-hand side. This changed in the 77^th minute when Marvin Loria was brought on for forward Augustine Williams. With the addition of a true winger, Ebobisse was shifted to his natural center forward spot.

T2 had a chance for the winner just before stoppage time. Foster Langsdorf picked up the ball on the right wing, darted inside, and played Ebobisse in behind the Tulsa backline. Ebobisse attempted a shot from a difficult angle but missed, sending the ball skimming across goal.

A short turnaround for Portland, who face OKC Energy FC on Saturday, April 7.