Roots Report: Bye Week

T2 lost their second game in a row 1-0, third loss in a row, producing their second losing streak of the season. They've got a week to think it over and then two challenging home games when they return to play.

St Louis FC: 1-0 Loss

Despite the loss, it was a much better performance from T2, particularly in the first half. Both teams came out committed and prepared to fight. Both sides put up really good battles through the first 45 minutes and went into the break scoreless. While nothing of real note happened except for a St Louis yellow card in the 32nd minute, both sides played very evenly, showing strong defenses, committed midfields, and attacks that still found opportunities.

But it was the second half on a soft PK that decided the match in favor of the home side. In the 57th minute, St Louis FC lead goal scorer Irvin Herrera put away the penalty kick to give his side the 1-0 lead that would stand up till the end. But the penalty call itself I felt was soft. On the replay it does show that Herrera's cross did touch Andy Thoma's elbow but his arm was at his side and didn't seem like it was in an unnatural position. And Andy Thoma was turning away from the cross so it his is retreating elbow. I'm not a referee but I really felt hard done by the call. Alas, it was called and St Louis took a very good spot kick to earn all three points and stay undefeated at home. After the penalty, both sides began to look drained from the muggy weather. T2 more so, but it was both sides that put out a lot of energy in the first half and early in the second to try to break the deadlock.

Bye Week

T2 get a break this weekend and don't play again until July 7th at Merlo Field. It will be rough having to take a break on the end of a 3 game losing streak, but that happens. The rest of the season isn't going to be so kind to T2 so they will need to be at their best to stay around the middle of the table and be in position to fight for a playoff spot come September. So hopefully T2 spend the extra free time practicing hard on the field.

And as T2 gets a bye week, so do I. So Josh and I will have a Play The Kids episode for you Friday but then we won't be back until after the July 7th game and Roots Report will take a break next week as well as I enjoy a week off from my paying job too. And be sure to listen to Play The Kids as Friday's episode will provide an opportunity for one lucky listener to win 2 free tickets to the July 7th home match for T2 courtesy of the Timbers front office. And once we return from the bye, the following Play The Kids episode will have 2 more tickets to win for the July 16th home match!

What's Next?

T2 get to return home to Merlo Field and host one of top USL West teams when Colorado Springs Switchbacks come to town. Kickoff will be at 7:00pm pacific at Merlo Field on Thursday, July 7th. The Switchbacks continue to chase the leaders Whitecaps 2 and fight LA Galaxy II for 2nd in the West.

Colorado Springs jumped back into second place just last night as they defeated Real Monarchs SLC 1-0. Colorado hosted the Monarchs and took an early lead in the 13th minute. And at their home stadium some 6500 odd feet in the air, they were able to ride that goal to victory.

T2 has yet to find any points against the Switchbacks as the upcoming visitors are 3-0-0 over T2 all time. In 2015, the first visit to Colorado was a 3-1 loss and then when Colorado Springs came to town, T2 lost 1-0. Earlier this season, T2 have already made their visit into the sky and lost 1-0. So T2 will be looking to try to snap their losing streak at home against one of the best teams in the USL Western Conference and hopefully get their first ever points against the club.

Don't forget to check out Play The Kids Podcast and use the bye week to catch up on some episodes!