SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 (13-12-3, 42 points) clinched the sixth and final USL Western Conference playoff spot with a 3-2 win over Austin Aztex (9-15-3, 30 points) on September 17 at Starfire Stadium. Sérgio Mota opened the scoring early for S2 from the spot in the ninth minute, but Seattle conceded twice before halftime and entered the break level at 2-2. USL postseason format and bracket information can be found via the following link: sndrs.com/S2OTP.
POST-MATCH INTERVIEWS
HEAD COACH EZRA HENDRICKSON: sndrs.com/tj4w
DEFENDER ASHANI FAIRCLOUGH: sndrs.com/8ap5
DEFENDER NICK MIELE: sndrs.com/ljsu
S2 defender Ashani Fairclough scored his first goal of the season to draw level in first-half stoppage time, receiving a Nick Miele header before redirecting it across the face of goal to level the score at 2-2.
The Rave Green recorded 21 shots during the match, but it took until the 84th minute for the club to take the lead. Miele timed his run between the opposing centerbacks, tracking Aaron Long’s chipped pass. Miele blasted his shot into the net past Cody Laurendi, who made six saves on the night.
S2 finishes in sixth place in the conference and will play all potential postseason matches on the road. S2’s first playoff match is slated for the weekend of September 25-27 with its opponent to be determined through the weekend as the USL regular season wraps up. More information regarding the club’s opponent, date and kickoff times will be made public as it becomes available.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |2-3| Austin Aztex
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Attendance: 2,207
Referee: Jeff Arthurholtz
Assistants: Kelsey Harms, Brydon Eakins
Fourth Official: Benjamin Moore
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Sérgio (PEN) 9’
ATX – Trevin Caeser 12’
ATX – Romain Gall 38’
SEA – Ashani Fairclough (Nick Miele) 45’+
SEA – Nick Miele (Aaron Long) 84’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Micheal Azira (caution) 55’
ATX – Tony Rocha (caution) 57’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Charlie Lyon, Ashani Fairclough, Nick Miele, Damion Lowe, Aaron Long, Darwin Jones (Sam Garza 58’), Sérgio, Micheal Azira, Aaron Kovar (Andres Correa 75’), Vic Mansaray (Lorenzo Ramos 81’), Oalex Anderson (Carlos Patino 79’)
Substitutes not used: Daniel Faundez, Pablo Rossi, Handwalla Bwana
Total shots: 21
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 14
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 1
Austin Aztex – Cody Laurendi, Mikey Ambrose, Max Gunderson, Sergio Campbell, Fernando Timbo (Drew Yates 67’), Romain Gall, Mozzi Gyorio (Andres Cuero 58’), Tony Rocha, Kris Tyrpak (Sainey Touray 71’), Lance Rozeboom, Trevin Caesar
Substitutes not used: Bryce Taylor, Ryan Roushandel, Brendan King
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 11
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 6
