TUKWILA, WASH. - Sounders FC 2 (6-9-5, 23 points) topped Portland Timbers 2 (5-11-3, 18 points) on a last-gasp goal by Mark O'Ojong. The midfielder's well-struck attempt deflected off a Portland defender in front of goal and found the back of the net to send S2 to its third consecutive win on Sunday evening at Starfire Stadium. Next up, the Rave Green continue the homestand with a Monday tilt versus Real Monarchs SLC on August 1 (7:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).
Sounders FC 2 dominated the opening 45 minutes, but couldn't convert in the final third. Myron Samuel's shot from close range sailed high in the 11th minute, while Andy Craven's one-on-one chance was blocked by Portland goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh a few minutes later. McIntosh also made a diving stop on Darwin Jones' attempt in the 17th minute. By the time Zach Mathers' shot dribbled just wide in first-half stoppage time, S2 had out-shot the visitors 9-0.
The second half continued in a similar fashion. Jones applied plenty of pressure on McIntosh, including dangerous attempts in the 67thand 79th minutes, respectively. Despite the lopsided shot margin, it appeared S2 was set to earn its sixth draw of the season.
With one minute left before second-half stoppage time, midfielder Emir Alihodzic sent a cross into Portland's area. On the far side of the 18-yard-box, O'Ojong received the ball and took a harsh cut inside. The Cameroon native delivered a well-struck attempt directly at goal, where it deflected off a defender and into the back of the net. Moments later, the referee blew the whistle to give S2 its second straight win over its Cascadia rivals.
Ezra Hendrickson's side continues the two-match homestand against Real Monarchs SLC on Monday, July 31 at Starfire Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com), which marks the second meeting of the season between the two sides. All 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 |1-0| Portland Timbers 2
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal
Assistants: Charles Farr, Cameron Siler
Fourth Official: Connor Hazelwood
Attendance: 1,618
Weather: Sunny and 81 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Mark O'Ojong 89'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR - Dylan Damraoui (caution) 61'
SEA - Zach Mathers (caution) 74'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Charlie Lyon; Devon Fisher, Michael Nelson, Jordy Delem, Nouhou Tolo; Jordan Schweitzer, Mark O'Ojong, Zach Mathers (Emir Alihodzic 85'); Darwin Jones (Nick Hinds 90'), Andy Craven, Myron Samuel (Carlos Patino 77')
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Bersano, Brandon John, Lorenzo Ramos, Willy Kapawa
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 11
Corner-kicks: 10
Saves: 0
Portland Timbers 2 - Kendall McIntosh; Taylor Peay - captain, Trevor Morley, Michael Gallagher; Andre Lewis, Nick Besler (Seth Casiple 90'), Marco Farfan, Blake Bodily (Ben Polk 57'); Villyan Bije (Dylan Damraoui 57'), Victor Arboleda (Neco Brett 33'), Kharlton Belmar
Substitutes Not Used: Justin Luthy, Andy Thoma
Total shots: 2
Shots on goal: 0
Fouls: 13
Corner-kicks: 1
Saves: 6
