Returning to Starfire Stadium after a three-game road trip, Sounders FC 2 faces Orange County Blues FC in Week Seven of USL play. S2 is tied for the league lead in goals scored, while OC Blues FC has allowed the second fewest of any team in the league. S2 has won each game played at home this season, and OC Blues FC won its only road match against defending USL champion and current league leader, Sacramento Republic FC.
The Blues currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with nine points, ahead of Arizona United SC on goal differential. For a team that started out the season with strong defense as well as potent goal-scoring, it was a rough road trip for the Sounders FC 2 team that gave up six goals in three games.
“I think we have been giving up soft goals that we have nobody but ourselves to blame for,” said Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “We need to get back to the way we defended in those first three games, defending as a team and keeping the pressure off our back line.”
For an S2 offense that put up 13 goals in its first four games, the team was only able to score two more in its following three, something the club is actively trying to remedy.
S2 forward Andy Craven has recorded either a goal or an assist in four out of five starts this season. He is currently tied for second in the USL for assists with four. Against the stout defense of Orange County Blues FC, Hendrickson will look to Craven to create opportunities for the Rave Green to put the ball into the back of the net.
Orange County Blues FC captain Didier Crettenand, midfielder, is currently the team points leader with two goals and three assists this season, including the game-winning goal last week against Sacramento. Crettenand earned USL Team of the Week honors for his performance. Joining Crettenand on the Team of the Week is OC Blues FC forward Denzel Slager who also tallied against the Republic.
S2 was represented on the USL Team of the Week for Week Six by defender Nick Miele who scored the only goal against Whitecaps FC 2 last weekend.
After sitting out three weeks with a hamstring injury, Sounder FC 2 forward Sam Garza returned to the 18 against Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday. Garza had played in both games prior to his injury, scoring a goal 15 seconds after being brought on against Sacramento Republic FC in the S2 home opener. He made his return against Whitecaps FC 2, subbing on for Darwin Jones in the 77th minute. As one of the few players on the S2 roster with MLS pedigree, Garza will likely remain in Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson’s plans this weekend.
