S2 take opener 4-2 over Sacramento Republic

By Steven Agen

S2 opened their inaugural USL season against the defending champions, Sacramento Republic FC. In front of 2951 fans at Starfire Sports Complex, they followed in the footsteps of their senior team with a resounding 4-2 win.

More than 150 Republic fans made the trek north for the match, and they made most of the noise in an otherwise quiet first 45 minutes. Both sides looked as if they were trying to find a foothold in the game, unable to string more than a few passes together. The quality of S2 was canceled out by their youth, with simple turnovers and mistakes dominating their play.

Sacramento struggled as well, unable to break down a determined and rambunctious Seattle back four. Only one shot found the target in the first half; Andy Craven headed a weak shot towards the bottom right corner and Patrick McClain contained the effort easily. Most of the game was played in the midfield, and to be honest, it was ugly before things opened up in the second half.

Andy Craven opened S2’s USL account on 49 minutes, controlling a long ball from Damion Lowe before chipping an on-rushing McClain. The forward’s work rate was spectacular in the first hour, harassing defenders and chasing every loose ball. It was a well-deserved reward for the SuperDraft pick.

The lead didn’t last long, as Sacramento scored the second of six total goals in the last 45. Following a Sacramento corner, the ball fell to former MLS striker Justin Braun at the top of the area. He smashed a half volley home to the bottom right corner, leaving no chance for Charlie Lyon to make a save.

Braun rushed over to the away fans to celebrate, and, on 64 minutes the visitors were level. The atmosphere and intensity continued to pick up, and the next goal would see S2 take the lead for good.

Just seconds after subbing on for Aaron Kovar, Sam Garza scored his first professional goal to put Seattle up 2-1 on 70 minutes. Pablo Rossi, whose impact would shortly become more pronounced yet, played a smart ball to Garza who slotted calmly past McClain from the center of the area.

The substitution, featuring a forward replacing a wide midfielder, buoyed the home side and they carried the match from there.

Pablo Rossi made a name for himself in the preseason with S2, scoring a number of spectacular free kicks in their exhibition matches.

He saved his best for the season opener. A cross from the left hand side missed everyone, but James Kiffe caught a Sounders forward on the edge of the box and was whistled for the infringement.

Sacramento head coach Preki lamented the decision after the match, as the ball was yards away from anyone in the area when Kiffe earned his yellow card. The call would haunt Sacramento, as Rossi stepped over the dead ball. From about twenty yards out on, just right of center, he curled the ball off the left hand post and into the back of the net. The far-post goal was a delightful one, and it gave S2 breathing room on 75 minutes.

The ensuing fifteen minutes were controlled by Sacramento, but they couldn’t manage to fashion any real chances to cut the lead. Victor Mansary put the game away in the 89th minute, making it 4-1. The teenager paraded down an empty left flank before putting in an early cross with the outside of his right foot. It was weighted perfectly for substitute Cristian Roldan, who found the net after connecting first time on the far post. The half volley was pinged low back towards the left hand post, leaving McClain very little chance to do anything about it. What was a close, tight game had opened up into a commanding performance from Seattle’s youth.

Tavo Guzman curled in a beauty of a free kick in his own right, pulling one back for Republic in stoppage time. It was little more than a consolation for the disheartened visitors, as the final whistle blew shortly after at 4-2.

The second half suited S2, with chances popping up for players to showcase speed and individual skill in ways they couldn’t in the first. It was a strong statement from the expansion side, who next play Whitecaps 2 on March 29 in their first USL Cascadia derby.

The visitors will rue the lack of chances they created in the first half, as they had the better of the opening period and had little to show for it. One could see real quality in the side despite the loss, and another week of fitness should help to cure the late game lapses they suffered in Tukwila. Sacramento Republic next travel to LA Galaxy II on March 28.

SCORING SUMMARY

 

SEA – Andy Craven (Damion Lowe) 49′

SAC – Justin Braun 64′

SEA – Sam Garza (Pablo Rossi) 70′

SEA – Pablo Rossi 76′

SEA – Cristian Roldan (Victor Mansaray) 89′

SAC – Octavio Guzman 90+’

 

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

 

SAC – Justin Braun (caution) 59′

SAC – Derek Foran (caution) 65′

SAC – James Kiffe (caution) 75′

 

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Charlie Lyon; Oniel Fisher (Aaron Long 46′), Damion Lowe, Jimmy Ockford, Dylan Remick; Victor Mansaray, Amadou Sanyang (Cristian Roldan 62′), Giuliano Frano, Aaron Kovar (Sam Garza 69′); Pablo Rossi (Darwin Jones 86′), Andy Craven (Duncan McCormick 76′)

Substitutes not used: Saif Kerawala, Nicholas Miele

Sacramento Republic FC – Patrick McLain; Emrah Klimenta, Mickey Daly, Derek Foran, James Kiffe; Gabriel Gonzalez, Octavio Guzman, Ivan Mirkovic, Joaquin Rivas (Cameron Iwasa 73′); Justin Braun, David Estrada (Adnan Gabeljic 83′)

Substitutes not used: Dominik Jakubek, Agustin Cazarez, Manold Gissie, Felix Montagalvan