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Roughnecks Rebound, Defeat Timbers 2

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/28/17, 12:21AM EDT

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First-half goals earn 3-1 victory at ONEOK Field


Photo courtesy Lori Scholl / Tulsa Roughnecks FC

TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Roughnecks FC rebounded from a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. The Roughnecks (5-5-0, 15pts) almost took the lead in the 16th minute when Juan Pablo Caffa’s shot from the center of the penalty area hit the right post, but a minute later the hosts went ahead. A good run down the left by Brandt Bronico led to a perfect cut-back to Joaquin Rivas, and his first-time finish found the right corner. Eight minutes later it was two, as Caffa converted from the penalty spot after a handball in the T2 penalty area. Portland (1-9-1, 4pts) pulled a goal back 10 minutes before the break as Omar Mohamed set up Villyan Bijev for a low finish from the right side of the penalty area, but the Roughnecks responded six minutes later as Ian Svantesson beat T2 goalkeeper Wade Hamilton to a cross and headed into the open net. The game went into a lightning delay in the 55th minute that lasted one hour, 39 minutes, and after the game restarted Portland got onto the front foot as it sought a way back. Tulsa goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland tipped over a shot by Bijev in the 65th minute, and Andre Lewis was also denied 10 minutes later, but Tulsa held firm to claim victory.

Scoring: 
17’ – TUL – Joaquin Rivas (Brandt Bronico)
25’ – TUL – Juan Pablo Caffa (penalty)
35’ – POR – Villyan Bijev (Omar Mohamed)
41’ – TUL – Ian Svantesson (Modou Jadama)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. After a tough two games on the road, the Roughnecks wanted to rebound positively back on home turf, and with the addition of Brandt Bronico to the lineup they took an early two-goal lead to take control of the game. Bronico’s debut with the Roughnecks came in the club’s 4-0 win against Vancouver two weeks ago, and on Saturday he played an even bigger role with the assist on Joaquin Rivas’ opening goal and got into the attacking end more often, providing another attacking prong the T2 defense had to deal with.

  • 2. While Bronico’s addition on loan from the Chicago Fire has boosted the Roughnecks, the duo of Juan Pablo Caffa and Ian Svantesson have been a major reason for Tulsa’s success this season. With another goal apiece for the duo on Saturday night they continued to pace the Roughnecks excellent home form. Svantesson’s size has made him a handful for opposing defenses, while Caffa’s virtuoso playmaking keep creating openings for himself, and his teammates.

  • 3. Portland came out assertively following the lightning delay, and had time to try and get things turned around with 35 minutes to play, but T2 was unable to find a way through the Roughnecks defense and put pressure on late. If there was a player who looked capable of doing so, it was Villyan Bijev, who despite reduced numbers statistically so far this season is continuing to look a cut above. With two losses in Oklahoma this week, though, T2 remains rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Joaquin Rivas, Tulsa Roughnecks FC – Rivas scored the opening goal to send Tulsa on its way, and provided solid play in midfield as he completed 25-of-28 passes.

Upcoming Games:
Tulsa Roughnecks FC
at Swope Park Rangers – June 11, 5 p.m. ET, Children’s Mercy Victory Field

Portland Timbers 2 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – June 4, 5 p.m. ET, Providence Park

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