Photo Credit: Oklahoma City Energy FC
Portland Timbers 2 0 – Saint Louis FC 0
Portland Timbers 2 (4-3-2, 14pts) drew Saint Louis FC (3-1-4, 13pts) 0-0 on Saturday.
With first team regulars David Guzman, Bill Tuiloma, and Vytas Andriuskevicius on rehab assignments with Portland’s United Soccer League affiliate, T2 looked poised for victory. This was not the case, however, as St. Louis extended to their undefeated streak to six matches behind a suffocating defense.
Left back Vytas and center midfielder Guzman each played 45 minutes in their return from injury, and the rust was evident for both players. Tuiloma went the full 90 for T2 at center back and turned in a solid shift.
Whether because of the significant lineup changes or STLFC’s organized defensive play, Portland struggled to find the match early. T2 was rhythmless in the first half, content to absorb pressure on defense and bypass the midfield in attack, playing long balls from the back for long stretches. Midfielder Eryk Williamson, normally the metronome in the center of the pitch for Portland, was limited in his involvement, taking 25 minutes to get three touches of the ball.
The 25th minute would provide Portland’s first opportunity when Guzman took a shot from long range that trickled well wide.
T2 started to look dangerous near the close on the first half. In the 38th minute, winger Victor Arboleda was played in behind and sent a ball across the face of goal. STLFC’s mustachioed goalkeeper Jake Fenlason could merely deflect the ball, which fell to a surging Foster Langsdorf. Fenlason redirected Langsdorf’s effort off the post and out of play.
Six minutes later, STLFC had a tailor-made opportunity. Captain Jonathan Barden found forward Kyle Grieg with a cross, but Grieg was unable to put his shot on frame.
Portland nearly opened the scoring seconds after the start of the second half. Arboleda pinched the ball from an STLFC defender and, after a cutting run inside, had shot from the top of the box, which Fenlason saved.
St. Louis thought they had the winner in the 66th minute after Grieg hammered a ball home with his head, but there was to be no goal for he was offside.
The second half was a languid affair for T2 until Marvin Loria injected some vigor with his introduction in the 83rd minute. The lively Loria took little time getting involved, taking a long range shot four minutes after being brought on. Loria had another opportunity in stoppage time, shooting a low driven ball from just outside the box. Fenlason was there to corral the shot and the match finished 0-0.
T2 next face Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders 2 on Saturday, May 12.
T2
USL
