Sounders FC 2 (2-2-0, 6 points) topped LA Galaxy II Whitecaps FC 2 (1-3-0, 3 points) by a score of 2-1 on Saturday evening at the StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium in Carson, California. In the opening 15 minutes, S2 jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from forward Felix Chenkam and defender Nouhou Tolo, who each opened their USL scoring accounts. Next Saturday, S2 returns to Starfire Stadium to face Real Monarchs SLC (7:00 p.m. PT / Live-Streamed on SoundersFC.com).
In the seventh minute, S2 began the scoring with a goal from Chenkam. After Chenkam forced a turnover just outside LA Galaxy II’s area, S2 midfielder Zach Mathers recovered possession and found teammate Ray Saari open to his left on the counterattack. Saari sent a one-touch pass into the center of the area, where Chenkam’s sliding shot attempt found the back of the net. Chenkam, an 18-year-old from Cameroon, signed with S2 in March.
Just five minutes later, Saari sent looping through ball from deep in Seattle’s own area to the left flank, where a streaking Tolo received the pass, freely dribbled into the 18-yard-box and fired a shot into the top left corner of the net. Tolo, a 19-year-old from Cameroon, signed a First Team contract this offseason after starring for S2 last season.
On the brink of halftime, LA Galaxy II closed the gap with a goal by Ethan Zubak. On an impressive assist from Jose Villareal, Zubak snuck behind S2’s backline, received Villareal’s looping pass and skirted around goalkeeper Tyler Miller to knock the ball into an empty net.
S2 held on to the 2-1 score advantage for the remainder of the match to earn its first road win of the season. On Saturday, April 22, Ezra Hendrickson's side takes on Real Monarchs SLC at Starfire Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |2 - 1| LA Galaxy II
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Venue: StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
Referee: Michael Radchuck
Assistants: Alexander Luttman, Osvaldo Delgado-Landeros
Fourth Official: Jose Lopez
Weather: 60 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Felix Chenkam (Ray Saari) 7’
SEA – Nouhou Tolo (Ray Saari) 12’
LA – Ethan Zubak (Jose Villareal) 45’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LA – Andre Zanga (caution) 16’
SEA – Felix Chenkam (caution) 19’
SEA – Ray Saari (caution) 46’
LA – Alex Juarez (caution) 51’
LA – Bradley Diallo (caution) 54’
LA – Hugo Arellano (caution) 70’
LA – Ryo Fuji (caution) 72’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Tyler Miller; Brian Nana-Sinkam, Sam Rogers, Rodrigue Ele, Nouhou Tolo; Ray Saari, Francisco Narbon, Zach Mathers, David Olsen (Lorenzo Ramos 61’), Irvin Parra (Shandon Hopeau 53’); Felix Chenkam (Jamie Dimitroff 78)
Substitutes not used: Trey Muse, Riley Grant, Ethan Lotenero, Denso Ulysse
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 16
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 3
LA Galaxy II – Bennett Sneddon; Alex Juarez, Robert Castellanos, Bradley Diallo (Ian Lonergan 69’), Hugo Arellano; Jose Agredo (Tyler Turner 87’), Ryo Fuji, Andre Zanga (Adrian Vera 69’), Jose Villarreal; Ethan Zubak, Adonis Amaya
Substitutes not used: Eric Lopez, Jean Engola, Eric Payeras, Erick Gallinar
Total shots: 4
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 22
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 1