Sounders FC 2 suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road to Swope Park Rangers after the hosts came flying out of the gates in the second half, scoring two goals in 10 minutes to overturn Seattle’s halftime lead. The Rave Green opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Zach Mathers scored his team-leading 11th goal of the campaign from a long-distance free kick.
It was a disappointing result after S2 started the match so brightly. The visitors took to the game to the Rangers from the opening whistle, and despite generating plenty of chances, they entered the interval with just a one-goal advantage, courtesy of Mathers’ wonder-strike. The Rave Green were made to pay for their profligacy as Swope Park started the second period at a blistering pace, chipping in a pair of goals and peppering Tyler Miller with a ton of shots.
Mathers Grabs Another Goal
The First Team midfielder, who has made 23 appearances for S2 this season, grabbed his 11th goal of the campaign from a fantastic, long-range missile of a free kick. It was his fourth goal of the season from outside the box, and his third from a set piece. Playing in the No. 10 role, Mathers contributed plenty to the cause with his slick passing and clever movement all evening. He was unlucky to not grab a brace, or even a hat trick, as he routinely tested the Rangers’ goalkeeper from all over the final third.
Miller was Massive
Always a fantastic shot-stopper, Miller came up huge on several occasions throughout the night, especially in the second half, to give his team a fighting chance. The third-year goalkeeper made five saves in the second period alone, denying Tyler Pasher on two separate 1v1 breakaways. In the first half, he came off his line twice to intercept through balls that would have surely led to goals. His positioning, reading of the game and patience were fantastic all night, giving his team a fighting chance to steal a point on the road.
Saved by the Post
Whenever Miller couldn’t get a strong paw to the ball, he got some help from the woodwork. In the second half alone, the Rangers rattled the post on four separate occasions. If not for the brilliance of Miller and the frame of the goal, it could have been a very different scoreline.
