TSS Rovers v Portland Timbers U23 – The Story In Pictures
Two goals, one a fantastic solo effort, a red card, a saved penalty, and an outstanding goalkeeping performance. Would you expect anything less in a Cascadian derby when the Timbers come to town?
Doesn’t matter the level, every team in the Vancouver area wants to beat Portland. It didn’t quite happen for TSS Rovers against Timbers U23 in PDL action at Swangard Stadium on Friday night, but the young Rovers side battled hard, overcoming a man disadvantage to fight back and claim a point in a 1-1 draw and maintain their unbeaten home record.
AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game. Here’s his “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
[Also check out Tom’s website www.residualimagephotography.com for more of his photos and work].
Your TSS Rovers starting XI
After a fairly quiet opening, where both sides had half chances, the game burst into life in the 25th minutes when Joel Waterman brings down Andres Ochoa in the box – penalty for Portland!
Steven Dal Molin steps up to take the kick, but it’s saved by Andrew Hicks and the game is still tied
Debutant Marcello Polisi tangles with Christo ‘Fabio’ Michaelson, which ends with Polisi shoving Michaelson on the ground
Surprisingly it’s not a straight red for the TSS man, but it is a second yellow, so he’s sent off anyway
It looked like TSS would hold on till the half to regroup but a floated free kick into the box from Timir Zhividze is headed down by Nate Shultz into the path of Francesco Amorosino
Who makes no mistake from close range to fire Portland into the lead
Where’s his log?
Portland tried to kill the game off at the start of the second but found Andrew Hicks in the TSS goal in fantastic form
Producing save
After save
After save
After save – nine on the night, six in the second half
That kept TSS firmly in the game as they looked to hit on the counter, and Zach Verhoven was sprung free in the 77th minute
Producing a great solo effort, running past and through the Timbers defence, before making room and firing past Jordan Farr into the bottom left corner to make it one apiece
TAKE. A. BOW.
Joy off the pitch too from the Swanguardians
The final 13 minutes felt like an eternity for the TSS bench as they decided to ‘batten down the hatches’ and hold on for the draw
It’s over! TSS Rovers unbeaten home record stays intact
Smiles all round
You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below: