TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 have done it again.
On the brink of what would have a devastating draw at home with playoff implications on the line, S2 struck in the final moments of the match to snatch all three points away from Portland Timbers 2 for the second time this season.
Midfielder Jordan Schweitzer is the man of the hour as his first time hit from defender Tony Alfaro’s cross in the 88th minute sealed the 2-1 victory in front of the home fans.
“I was in the box which is unusual for me. I’ve been trying to get in there a bit more, but Tony whipped in a good ball and I just tried to get it on frame,” Schweitzer told reporters. “We’re going to enjoy this win and move on to the next one.”
Midfielder Zach Mathers secured the other tally for S2 from the penalty spot after forward Carlos Patino drew a foul to open the scoring in the 51st minute. With primary PK taker Myron Samuel away at World Cup qualifiers with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mathers stepped up and buried the chance with zero hesitation.
“All the credit goes to Carlos for making that run and making the guy foul him,” said Mathers after the match. “After two games of not getting the results we wanted, it’s a great win.”
Leading up to the match, head coach Ezra Hendrickson had called it a “must win.” With this result, S2 jump a spot in the standings and now sit just four points outside of the playoffs with five matches to go. With only one home match left, Hendrickson knows how important this win was.
“We know we have five games left and we have to get maximum points every time we step out there,” he said. “Definitely these two home games, we talked about having to get six points. This is a good start but we’re going to take it one game at a time.”
When Schweitzer was asked for his thoughts about making the playoffs, he said, “Absolutely. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”
S2 take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Friday for the final home match of the season.
