TUKWILA, WASH. – Midfielder Mark O’Ojong netted his first goal of the season as Sounders FC 2 (1-5-4, 7 points) played to a 1-1 draw against 10-man LA Galaxy II (4-2-5, 17 points) on Sunday evening at Starfire Stadium. In the first half, S2 found fortune as LA midfielder Alejandro Covarrubias was ejected after two yellow cards and O’Ojong’s blast put the Rave Green up 1-0. The visitors then equalized in the 81st minute off a corner-kick to secure a point. Next up, S2 hits the road for a Cascadia clash against Portland Timbers 2 on Thursday, May 26 at Providence Park.
Sunday’s first dangerous chance came from the visitors in the 21st minute, but S2 defender Nouhou Tolo made two sliding challenges in front of Seattle’s goal to halt the Galaxy’s attack. A few minutes later, Los Dos went down to 10 men after Covarrubias recorded his second yellow card of the half.
Seattle capitalized on the man-advantage just before the break, as O’Ojong scored his first goal of the season in the 43rd minute. While dribbling along the right flank, forward Myron Samuel sent a low cross into space at the top of LA’s 18-yard-box. O’Ojong swiftly approached the ball and sent a blazing, one-time shot into the top right corner of the net.
Samuel nearly added a goal of his own in the following minute, but his curling attempt from 20 yards out sailed just wide. For the fourth time this season, S2 led after the initial 45 minutes (1-0-3 record).
LA’s attack, which ranks first in USL with 20 goals this season, remained off the scoresheet for most of the second half, until the visitors netted the game-tying score in the 81st minute. The ball dangerously bobbled in front of Seattle’s goal after a corner-kick service, which Dave Romney managed to poke in past Seattle keeper Tyler Miller from close range.
In second-half stoppage time, a pair of crosses nearly resulted in the game-winner for the host side. A Samuel shot attempt just missed before Emir Alihodzic sent in a well-placed ball for streaking defensive midfielder Jordan Schweitzer. The Homegrown Player stabbed the ball towards goal, but LA goalkeeper Clement Diop made a diving stop.
S2 takes on Portland Timbers 2 on Thursday, May 26 (7:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com) at Providence Park. For a cost of $100, choose any eight combinations for all remaining S2 home matches. Additional information on the S2 Flex Plan, season tickets, group tickets or single-match options, can be found via: www.SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 | 1-1 | LA Galaxy II
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Assistants: Christian Clerc, Benjamin Moore
Fourth Official: Connor Hazelwood
Weather: Mostly cloudy and 62 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Mark O’Ojong (Myron Samuel) 43’
LA – Dave Romney (Ethan Zubak) 81’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LA – Alejandro Covarrubias (caution) 19’
LA – Alejandro Covarrubias (caution, ejection) 26’
LA – Jaime Villarreal (caution) 52’
SEA – Tony Alfaro (caution) 64’
LA – Adrian Vera (caution) 90’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Tyler Miller; Oniel Fisher (Devon Fisher 90’), Michael Nelson, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou Tolo; Mark O’Ojong (Willy Kapawa 74’), Nathan Sturgis (Jordan Schweitzer 62’), Zach Mathers (Emir Alihodzic 83’); Myron Samuel, Victor Mansaray (Carlos Patino 63’), Darwin Jones
Substitutes not used: Charlie Lyon, Brandon John
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 18
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 2
LA Galaxy II – Clement Diop; Nathan Smith (Adrian Vera 81’), Dave Romney, Lee Nishanian, Josh Turnley; Raul Mendiola (Jeffrey Payeras 90’), Ryo Fujii (Ethan Zubak 74’), Alejandro Covarrubias; Jack McBean, Jaime Villarreal, Jose Villarreal (Oscar Sorto 33’)
Substitutes not used: Bennett Sneddon, Kainoa Bailey
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 15
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 4
