TUKWILA, WASH. – Sounders FC 2 kicked off its inaugural campaign with a 4-2 win over defending USL champion Sacramento Republic FC in front of a sell-out crowd of 2,951 at Starfire Stadium. S2 scored four second-half goals – including a goal and assist from Pablo Rossi – as the club secured three points in its first-ever match.
After a scoreless first half, Sounders FC SuperDraft selection Andy Craven put the Rave Green on the board in the 48th minute. After settling a long, over-the-top ball from defender Damion Lowe, Craven put a looping shot over the keeper for a 1-0 lead.
After Sacramento pulled even 15 minutes later on a Justin Braun 15-yard volley, S2 scored three unanswered goals to build a 4-1 lead. Moments after entering the match as a substitute, Sam Garza received a lofted through-ball from Rossi in the area and put a shot past the keeper, giving S2 the lead in the 70th minute.
Rossi made it 3-1 in the 76th minute on a direct free kick goal from 20 yards out. After a Sacramento foul just outside the box, the Argentine midfielder sent a right-footed shot into the top corner, striking the crossbar and ricocheting into the net.
Seattle increased its lead to 4-1 in the 89th minute when Sounders FC Homegrown Player Victor Mansaray made a run up the left flank and crossed into the area to Cristian Roldan, who struck it first-time into the back of the net. Republic FC was able to pull one back in stoppage time on an Octavio Guzman free kick, but S2 held on for the win in front of its home supporters.
S2 returns to action next weekend when they host Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, March 29. Kickoff is 4:00 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 4 – Sacramento Republic FC 2
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Baboucarr Jallow
Assistants: Mike Rottersman, Joshua Haimes
Fourth Official: Josh Wilkens
Attendance: 2,951
Weather: Cloudy and 50 degrees
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
