TUKWILA, WASH. – Sounders FC 2 fell by a score of 2-0 to Arizona United SC on Wednesday evening at Starfire Stadium. S2 couldn’t overcome two early goals by the visitors, as the Rave Green to 0-2-0 to open the 2016 season. The five-match homestand to open the season continues on Sunday, April 3 against San Antonio FC (5:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com.)
After keeping Arizona United SC at bay despite an aggressive offensive push by the visitors to open the match, Gibson Bardsley’s well-placed header gave Arizona a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute. Bardsley, who attended Mt. Si High School in North Bend, WA, received a cross in Seattle’s area after Chris Cortez sent in the pass from the left flank.
Arizona extended the lead to 2-0 in the 24th minute on a goal by Cortez. On a fleeting counterattack, Cortez blazed past Seattle’s backline for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Charlie Lyon. As he approached, Cortez sent a brisk shot attempt past an outstretched Lyon to the bottom corner of the net.
Of note, First Team players Charlie Lyon, Tony Alfaro, Andy Craven and Darwin Jones returned to the Starting XI for the second consecutive match. The Starting XI also featured first team forward Victor Mansaray and S2 defender Devon Fisher, who made their season debuts, while Sounders Academy product Toni Jnohope and 2016 MLS SuperDraft selection Zach Mathers made their second start in as many matches. Nick Hinds, Emir Alihdozic and Mark O’Ojong rounded out the Starting XI after making appearances off the bench in the season-opener.
Seattle returns to action on Sunday, April 3 against San Antonio FC. Kick-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium, with a live-stream on SoundersFC.com. S2 season ticket packages are available now, starting as low as at $9 per match via the following link: http://sndrs.com/aju4. For complete information on S2 tickets, including single-match options, group tickets and the S2 Flex Plan, visit SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |0 - 2| Arizona United SC
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Venue: Starfire Sports
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistants: Seth Martin, Juan Escobar
Fourth Official: Dan Compton
Weather: 64 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
AZ – Bardsley 16’
AZ – Cortez 24’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
AZ – Brock Granger (caution) 42’
AZ - Daniel Antunez (caution) 49’
AZ – Blair Gavin (caution) 53’
S2 – Mark O’Ojong (caution) 78’
S2 – Zach Mathers (caution) 89’
AZ – Nick Costa (caution) 90’
AZ – Jose Cuevas (caution) 90’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Charlie Lyon; Devon Fisher, Tobi Jnohope, Tony Alfaro, Nick Hinds, Zach Mathers, Mark O’Ojong, Victor Mansaray, Emir Alihodzic (Handwalla Bwana 57’), Andy Craven (Harrison Kurtz 71’) , Darwin Jones (Lorenzo Ramos 71’)
Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano, Handwalla Bwana, Henry Baldwin
Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 2
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 2
Arizona United SC – Carl Woszczynski; Brock Granger, Julian Rinhof, Uchenna Uzo, Daniel Antunez; Blair Gavin, Miguel Timm, Gibson Bardsley (Tony Cascio 72’); Sam Garza (Long Tan 80’), Nick Costa, Chris Cortez (Jose Cuevas 80’)
Substitutes not used: Jordan Stagmiller, Eduar Zea, Brandon Polgronierri, Freddy Ruiz
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 2
Corner-kicks: 0
Saves: 2
