Sounders FC defeats Club Tijuana U-20 side 3-1 in first preseason match of 2018

CHULA VISTA, CALIF. – Seattle Sounders FC concluded its week-long camp in Southern California on Sunday with a 3-1 win over the Club Tijuana U-20s in the first preseason friendly of 2018 at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. Following today’s friendly, the club returns home to Seattle for two off days before departing for another week-long camp in Tucson, Arizona, where the club is set to face Cascadia rival Portland Timbers on Saturday, February 3 and Columbus Crew SC on Sunday, February 4

The two sides played two 45-minute halves on Sunday under blue skies and temperatures in the mid-70s. Head Coach Brian Schmetzer fielded two separate lineups in each period, with veterans mixed in with younger players, draft picks and trialists.

Seattle got on the board first less than two minutes into the match courtesy of new Homegrown Player signing Handwalla Bwana. Trialist Jordan McCrary sent a cross from the right flank toward Bwana for a header that hit the bottom of the crossbar and into the goal, giving the Rave Green an early 1-0 lead. Bwana then assisted on a Clint Dempsey goal in the 42^nd minute to double the lead, dribbling deep into Tijuana’s final third and forcing the goalkeeper off his line before crossing to Dempsey for an easy tap-in.

Sounders FC’s second-half unit also struck early, with Víctor Rodríguez making it 3-0 in the 49^th minute. Following a long run up the left side by 2018 SuperDraft selection Chris Bared, Rodríguez combined with Nicolás Lodeiro to get a clean shot that went inside the far post and outside the reach of the Tijuana goalkeeper.

The Mexican side pulled one back in the 85^th minute, but Seattle held on for the 3-1 victory, capping a productive week in Chula Vista.

The 2018 Sounders FC preseason presented by adidas continues with a week-long trip to Tucson, featuring friendlies against the Portland Timbers on February 3 and Columbus Crew SC on February 4. Prior to the MLS regular season starting on March 4, Sounders FC is set to face Salvadoran club Santa Tecla FC in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, the region's premier club championship, with the first leg in El Salvador on February 22 and the second leg at CenturyLink Field on March 1. Sounders FC season tickets are still available, including new 2018 seating options in the 300 level, as well single-match tickets for each of Seattle’s home matches. For complete information, details and pricing on 2018 Sounders FC season tickets, fans should visit SoundersFC.com/tickets, call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com.

MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 3 – Club Tijuana U-20 1
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Venue: 
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Weather: 
Sunny and 75 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA –
Handwalla Bwana (Jordan McCrary) 2’
SEA
–
Clint Dempsey (Handwalla Bwana) 42’
SEA –
Víctor Rodríguez (Nicolás Lodeiro) 49’
TIJ –
Club Tijuana U-20 player 85’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

None

SEATTLE SOUNDER FC LINEUP

First Half – Stefan Frei; Jordan McCrary, Román Torres (Sam Rogers+ 39’), Tony Alfaro, Waylon Francis; Gustav Svensson, Harry Shipp; Zach Mathers, Clint Dempsey, Handwalla Bwana; Will Bruin

Second Half – Bryan Meredith; Kelvin Leerdam, Markus Fjortoft, Chad Marshall, Chris Bared; Jordy Delem, Alex Roldan; Henry Wingo (Ray Saari+ 83’), Nicolás Lodeiro, Víctor Rodríguez; Felix Chenkam+

+
Player currently signed to S2 roster
*
Unsigned SuperDraft selection or preseason guest player