With S2 and the First Team entering the business end of their respective campaigns, a number of Sounders Academy products found themselves playing important minutes as both teams push for the playoffs.
In San Antonio, Texas, a total of four former or current Sounders Academy players made the match day roster for S2. Meanwhile, homegrown striker Jordan Morris put in another well-rounded performance as he continues to build chemistry with USMNT teammate Clint Dempsey and new DP signing Nicolas Lodeiro.
S2 0 at San Antonio FC 1 | August 20, 2016
Forward Victor Mansaray featured in the S2 lineup after a spell away training with Norwegian sides Åsane and Brann. Upon returning to the starting XI, Mansaray lined up in his preferred position as the number nine in the middle of Seattle’s three-man forward line.
A majority of the match was played in the middle third of the field, as both sides looked to build from the back when in possession and pressing aggressively on the defensive side. As a result, Mansaray was starved of the kind of service he typically thrives on for long stretches of the match.
In the 84th minute, Mansaray produced the best chance at an equalizer for S2. Outside back Oniel Fisher lifted a curling cross to the back post from the right flank, and Mansaray did well to elevate above his marker and redirect the ball on frame, but the SAFC goalkeeper managed to hold onto his headed effort.
After sitting out the match against Rio Grande Valley FC the week prior, former Sounders Academy standout Jordan Schweitzer started as the holding midfielder. Having the defensive-minded Jordy Delem lined up alongside him enabled Schwetizer to assume a more attacking role in the middle of the pitch.
In the match against SAFC, Schweitzer demonstrated the full range of his passing ability, as well as his aptitude for dictating the tempo of a match. The former University of Denver Pioneer alternated between quick passing exchanges with nearby teammates and perfectly weighted long-balls to switch the point of attack.
Schweitzer also produced numerous interceptions to break up any potentially dangerous attacks by San Antonio.
With S2 in search of an equalizer late in the match, Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson turned to a pair of recent Sounders Academy U-18 signings in Jamie Dimitrioff and Jake Morris. Dimitrioff entered the fray in the 74th minute and took all of S2’s set-pieces after coming on, while Morris subbed on in the 85th minute for Oniel Fisher.
With 24 league games played in the 2016 season, Sounders FC youth team players have made a combined 44 appearances for a combined 1,572 minutes of action, indicating the success of S2 as an effective medium for player development.
Sounders FC 3 vs. Portland Timbers 1 | August 21, 2016
Much has been made about the recent performances from Nico Lodeiro and second-year midfielder Cristian Roldan. So much so, in fact, that Morris' rapid development in his overall game may have gone under the radar.
The Mercer Island Native’s speed and strength have never been in question, but having such an a creative playmaker in Lodeiro playing underneath him has revealed some of the more subtle aspects of his play. Morris possesses an innate ability to ghost into spaces vacated by advancing defenders, or hanging on the back shoulder of the defender, and timing his runs to perfection. With his world-class pace and strength, combined with the incisive passing of Clint Dempsey and Lodeiro, Morris seems capable of bursting into dangerous positions at will.
A couple of plays in particular demonstrated Morris’ growing role in the Sounders attacking setup. Portland defender Alvis Powell seemed to make an early jump to intercept an Andreas Ivanschitz pass in the 10th minute, only to be shielded off the ball and turned by Morris, who narrowly missed his toe-poked shot when driving toward Jake Gleeson’s goal.
Morris also played an important role in Dempsey’s second goal on the night. Cristian Roldan drove toward goal in the 80th minute, and Morris curled off and made an unselfish run to the right, which created the space for Dempsey to receive the ball from Roldan and fire home with his left foot.
The biggest highlight reel moment for Morris came in the 75th minute. His 75-yard run at CenturyLink Field seemed more appropriate for a running back on the Seahawks, and inspired comparisons to a Super Mario Bros Super Star power up.
