With a two-goal lead going into the second half against Kitsap Pumas SC, Sounders FC 2 looked to have smooth sailing into the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. However, after two periods of extra time, the Rave Green were looking down on a 4-2 final score at Starfire Stadium that they had to fight in order to get.
The victory set the stage for drama in the Third Round. Only two days after defeating Kitsap, the group took a trip south to face Portland Timbers 2 on the road in USL regular season play, the team it faces in the Third Round the following Wednesday.
Until that Friday night, S2 hadn’t been able to pick up more than one point all season while playing away from home, and after 120 minutes logged only two days before, things looked bleak for the embattled side. However, that didn’t stop the team from putting on a show, scoring two goals along the way and coming back to Seattle with all three points.
“We were faced with breaking the streak of being winless on the road, and those guys responded to the challenge,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “It says a lot about the team and the kind of players we have here, not just their ability, but their effort and resolve to win tough games when you need to.”
Set to face T2 for the second time in six days this Wednesday back at Starfire Stadium, S2 is looking to preserve its perfect 5-0-0 home record and advance to face MLS side Real Salt Lake in the Fourth Round. S2 leads the series against T2 with an overall record of 2-0-0 all-time, and hopes to continue that streak on Wednesday.
“You win or you go home, but with extra incentive and [them] looking for payback,” added Hendrickson. “We have been very good at home and we want to continue to make Starfire our fortress.”
Against Kitsap, S2 started six players who are 19-years-old or younger, including four from the Sounders FC Academy, with two more from the Academy on the bench. With the youth starting to fill in the gaps for S2 in Open Cup play, there is now a chance for fans to witness the future of the entire organization riding on the talent being developed right at home.
New signing Sérgio Mota will also have a chance to make his home-debut after making his first appearance for the club on Friday night, assisting Andy Craven’s goal in the 2-0 win.
Kickoff for Wednesday’s rematch is set for 1:00 p.m. PT with tickets available here. The midday match will also be live-streamed on SoundersFC.com with Aaron Heinzen on the call.
