PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers 2 welcomed a club-record crowd of 7,277 fans to Providence Park on Wednesday as they played to a 0-0 draw with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. T2 almost took the lead in the 15th minute, but Switchbacks goalkeeper Moise Pouaty was quick to react to twice deny Portland attackers. Portland’s Victor Arboleda also tested Pouaty three minutes before halftime, but the biggest chance of the first half came to the Switchbacks in the final minute as Josh Phillips headed off the crossbar from a corner before T2’s Andre Lewis cleared off the line after a scramble for the rebound. Colorado Springs went close thought Kevaughn Frater eight minutes into the second half, only for Portland goalkeeper Wade Hamilton to tip his effort wide. T2’s Jack Barmby then almost found the net midway through the second half, Pouaty getting down well to turn a free kick wide. Barmby then came close to grabbing a dramatic winner in stoppage time, his shot going just wide, but neither side was able to find a breakthrough to produce a victory.

Scoring:

None

Three Things That Matter:

1. T2 welcomed a club-record crowd of 7,277 fans to Providence Park for Wednesday’s matinee, but again saw the game end frustratingly as it had most of the play, but wasn’t able to find a way to break the deadlock against a solid defensive display by the Switchbacks. Augustine Williams and Jack Barmby were both bright for much of the game, but Colorado Springs’ experience back four in particular did a very good job of cutting off the passing lanes – the group combined for 12 interceptions – as T2 looked to find a way in behind to use its pace. With a trip to Vancouver next, the Switchbacks will likely be happy with the point they earned today.

2. After being offensively quiet in the first half, when a set piece chance that saw Josh Phillips hit the crossbar from a corner the only major scoring threat, the Switchbacks got a very good boost off the bench through Kevaughn Frater. The Jamaican brought a renewed sense of urgency, and came close to giving the Switchbacks the lead just eight minutes after his introduction as he beat T2 defender Lamar Batista on the right and sent a curling shot to the far corner that was excellently turned away by Portland goalkeeper Wade Hamilton. Frater has yet to find the net for Colorado Springs this season, but more performances like this shouldn’t keep things that way for long.