Sounders FC 2 scored an early goal and controlled the match for most of the night but were unable to find a decisive second tally as Reno 1868’s 38th-minute equalizer forced the two sides to share the points.
Zach Mathers handed S2 an early lead just 45 seconds into the match off a venomous free-kick from the left-hand side. Looking to confound the Reno goalkeeper, Mathers drove an in-swinging ball that made its way through a mass of bodies and snuck in at the back post.
The Rave Green nearly doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Homegrown midfielder Henry Wingo found himself with time and space inside the box. After a full-field run down the right-hand side, Wingo shifted the ball to his right foot and nearly picked out the bottom corner, with his powerful shot flashing just wide of the far post.
S2’s inability to capitalize on the early momentum proved costly in the 38th minute when Reno equalized from a corner kick. Reno whipped in a dangerous cross to the near-post that S2 was unable to clear and, from the ensuing goal-mouth scramble, Brian Brown stabbed home his effort from close range.
Both sides traded blows in an end-to-end second half, with neither side unable to find a crucial second goal. The visitors nearly scored in the 68th minute, again from a corner kick, but were denied by a goal-line save from Tyler Miller. Miller then found substitute Seyi Adekoya downfield with a precise throw, and after a nice passing sequence, Mathers nearly grabbed a brace by weaving his way through four defenders and firing to the back post, but his effort was cleared off the line.
In search of the breakthrough goal, S2 committed numbers forward for the remainder of the match and sent wave after wave of attack until the closing seconds of the game. While Lorenzo Ramos, Adekoya, Wingo and Mathers each had opportunities to secure the three points, the best chance fell to substitute Guy Edoa in second-half stoppage time. The Cameroonian shrugged off a couple of challenges in the final third and unleashed a shot from distance destined for the bottom corner, only to be denied by a full-extension save.
With the draw, S2 advances to 9-15-2 on the season, keeping them within touching distance of the eighth-and-final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The club will look to return to winning ways in their next match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks at home on Sunday, September 16.
