The Portland Timbers Reserves scored three goals in the second half to overcome a three-goal halftime deficit and earn a 4-4 draw on the road against VSI Tampa Bay FC of USL PRO at Plant City Stadium on Saturday evening. Saturday's match was one of several interleague games between MLS Reserve League and USL PRO teams this season as part of a development partnership established between MLS and United Soccer Leagues earlier this year. Adverse weather conditions and lightning delayed the start of match for approximately 50 minutes, but that did not prevent VSI Tampa Bay from finding the back of the net three times, including two goals from forward Andriy Budnyy, in the opening 18 minutes of the match. Midfielder Douglas Dos Santos scored again right before halftime as VSI Tampa Bay FC took a 4-1 lead heading into the break. Under a steady rain and wet field conditions, the Timbers Reserves fought their way back into the match in the second half. Forward Sebastián RincÃ"n and Jose Valencia both tallied in the opening 11 minutes of the half to trim the deficit, 4-3. Forward Sal Zizzo provided the equalizer for a second straight match, converting a penalty kick in the 68th minute to pull the Timbers Reserves level at 4-4 and extend the team's current unbeaten run to four games. The Timbers Reserves (3-1-2, 11pts) move into a tie for first place in the MLS Reserve League's West Division with the Real Salt Lake Reserves. VSI Tampa Bay FC (5-3-1, 16pts) remains in sixth place in USL PRO. Midfielder Michael Nanchoff scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the first half, Valencia tallied his third goal, Zizzo scored in a second straight match and goalkeeper Jake Gleeson made several saves for the Timbers Reserves. Budnyy recorded his first two-goal performance this season, while Chin and Dos Santo scored their second goals of the season for VSI Tampa Bay FC, who is unbeaten in its last three home matches. Budnyy opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the match, but the Timbers Reserves answered right back in the fifth minute to knot the score at 1-1 on a goal by Nanchoff - his second goal against VSI Tampa Bay FC this season. VSI Tampa Bay FC then scored three straight goals to walk into halftime with a 4-1 lead. Budnyy scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season in the 15th minute, hitting a shot from the top of the box off the left post. Shin scored three minutes later and Dos Santos capitalized on a deflected shot and slotted home from short range at the left post in the 45th minute. The Timbers Reserves rallied for three goals in the second half to produce their highest scoring output of the season. RincÃ"n scored his first goal of the season just two minutes into the half. Valencia, who scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over VSI Tampa Bay FC on April 7 at JELD-WEN Field, tallied in the 56th minute to trim the home side's lead 4-3. Valencia was fouled in the box near the left post and the referee awarded the Timbers Reserves a penalty kick in the 68th minute. After having his initial attempt from the spot called back due to a Portland violation, Zizzo stepped up and delivered a second time, placing the ball inside the left post, for his second goal in two games, helping the Timbers Reserves earn a share of the points on the road. The Timbers Reserves play host to the LA Galaxy Reserves in their next match Sunday, July 14, at JELD-WEN Field at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Tickets are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at www.portlandtimbers.com.
