Darren Mattocks scored from the penalty spot in the 51st minute and added a late game-winner from the field of play in the 90th minute as Vancouver Whitecaps FC topped the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in the teams' preseason opener Wednesday night at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Second-year Seattle Sounders Homegrown forward Darwin Jones scored in the 76th minute in the loss for the Sounders.
Jones, 23, started up top in the second half against the ‘Caps, the first glimpse of a Sounders team that will open the season in less than three weeks back in Seattle. The club will host Club America in the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Feb. 23 at CenturyLink Field before ultimately opening the MLS regular season at home on March 6 against Sporting Kansas City.
The two teams played a 90-minute match that saw both Seattle and Vancouver begin with their first-choice lineups before making wholesale changes at the break.
The Sounders trotted out forwards Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Nelson Valdez all positioned up top, offering the first real glimpse of what a new 4-3-3 formation could look like this year.
Center back Brad Evans (hamstring tightness) was the only regular starter left out of the first 45 minutes against the Whitecaps, replaced by youngster Jimmy Ockford. Joevin Jones got the start at left back just weeks after being acquired via trade from the Chicago Fire, and Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg and Andreas Ivanschitz manned the team’s new-look midfield.
Despite the first-choice lineup, the Sounders were unable to crack an equally stocked Whitecaps group before the starters were pulled after a scoreless first 45 minutes.
A number of newcomers picked up minutes in the second period, including offseason midfield addition Michael Farfan and trialists Nathan Sturgis and Ben Speas. Veteran defender Zach Scott also saw action in the second half, along with second-year midfielder Cristian Roldan.
Recently acquired Homegrown Player Jordan Morris was not with the team on Wednesday and is expected to join the preseason camp sometime after the U.S. national team’s game against Canada on Friday.
The Sounders will play the Portland Timbers on Saturday (6 p.m. PT), with the game available via live stream on soundersfc.com.
Lineups by Half
First Half (4-3-3)
GK: Stefan Frei
RB: Tyrone Mears
CB: Jimmy Ockford
CB: Chad Marshall
LB: Joevin Jones
MF: Osvaldo Alonso
MF: Erik Friberg
MF: Andreas Ivanschitz
FW: Obafemi Martins
FW: Clint Dempsey
FW: Nelson Valdez
Second Half (4-3-3)
GK: Tyler Miller
RB: Oniel Fisher
CB: Zach Scott
CB: Damion Lowe
LB: Dylan Remick
MF: Cristian Roldan
MF: Michael Farfan
MF: Nathan Sturgis
FW: Ben Speas
FW: Darwin Jones
FW: Aaron Kovar
