Despite taking 15 shots, The Town FC couldn’t capitalize in the attacking third and saw its undefeated home streak snap at the hands of Portland Timbers 2 in a defensive-heavy match. (Photo / TJ Valenton)
MORAGA, Calif. — After beginning its home schedule with an unbeaten 4-0-5 record, The Town FC’s streak ended at the hands of Portland Timbers 2 in a 1-0 finish on Sunday at Saint Mary’s Stadium.
The Town FC (7-6-6, 30 points) committed a heartbreaking foul in the dying seconds of second-half stoppage time, allowing Timbers 2 (6-6-8, 29 points) to score the game-winning penalty kick to stun the Moraga crowd.
Following a giveaway in its own end, Portland led a last-gasp attack into The Town FC’s 18-yard box — where goalkeeper David Sweeney tripped up forward Tega Ikoba — who eventually took the penalty kick and nailed it with ease.
Sweeney took home July MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month honors after leading The Town FC to an undefeated stretch since his arrival to the team. Sunday’s match was his first-ever MLS NEXT Pro loss.
“Sweeney has been great, he’s stepped up for us in big moments,” head coach Daniel DeGeer said. “Even today, he made a couple of big saves.”
The Town FC struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the match, missing numerous point-blank chances. Despite the offensive woes, The Town FC still managed to dominate Timbers 2 on the attack, with 15 total shots, but couldn’t put any opportunities away.
Timbers 2 goalkeeper Trev Muse made three saves and earned the team’s first clean sheet since July 21.
Coming off a 4-0 victory against Ventura County FC (7-5-8, 36 points), The Town’s offensive outburst simply didn’t carry over.
“We just came out flat, we lacked a little bit of energy, so that was something that we addressed at halftime,” DeGeer said. “But we needed to address the pressure, and get a little more on the ball to be more dangerous in behind.”
The result drops TTFC into seventh place in the Western Conference without much breathing room. Portland sits one point behind in eighth, while Sporting Kansas City II (7-8-5, 28 points) isn’t far behind in ninth. The victory was critical for Portland, a team grasping onto playoff position.
Next, The Town FC will leave California for the first time since June 2 to face Minnesota United FC 2 (5-11-1, 17 points). Minnesota has struggled this season, sitting dead last in the West while coming off a 5-1 blowout on Sunday.
“I’m confident that the guys will learn from it, and they’ll be getting three points on Thursday,” DeGeer said. “You learn from your mistakes in the previous game, and you apply those right away”
The Town FC will aim to return to its winning ways in a midweek bout in the Midwest. The match will kick off on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
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MATCH INFORMATION
2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season
The Town FC 0 – 1 Portland Timbers 2
Saint Mary’s Stadium
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Scoring Summary:
POR (0-1) — T. Ikoba 90 + 5’
Misconduct Summary:
TTFC — B. Leroux (Caution) 40’
POR — T. Ikoba (Caution) 60’
The Town FC: D. Sweeney (GK), R. Ibarra, C. Walls, A. Cano, S. Bilter (W. Eisner – 79’), E. Blancas (C) (J. Spivey – 79’), E. Mendoza, B. Leroux, R. Lynch, J. Donnery, A. Edwards (R. Tsunehara – 87’)
Substitutes not used: R. Rajagopal, S. Chavira, C. Cowell, M. Guerra, O. Hernandez, T. Allen
SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
Portland Timbers 2: T. Muse (GK), K. Rad, K. Ferdinand (C), T. Clegg, J. Jones-Riley (H. Neville – 23’), M. Johnston (A. Moreno – 82’), V. Enriquez, B. Pope (S. Jura – 72’), K. Linhares (M. Eisenberg – 72’), T. Ikoba, J. Penn (C. Mendoza – 82’)
Substitutes not used: B. Taghvai-Najib, M. Bunbury, C. Miller, M. Nystrom
SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 9; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 3