SACRAMENTO, CA. – A wonder goal from midfielder Zach Mathers was not enough on Saturday night for Seattle Sounders FC 2, who fell 2-1 on the road to Sacramento Republic.
Mathers' goal came in the 70th minute when forward Andy Craven received the ball at the top of the area from forward Myron Samuel. Craven was immediately fouled but advantage was played and the ball fell to Mathers, who turned and stroked it into the top left corner over a stunned goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek.
It was an equalizer to a lead gained by Republic’s Harry Williams early in the 5th minute. Forward Adam Jahn chipped a ball over the S2 backline from which Williams coolly slipped under goalkeeper Charlie Lyon for the opening goal. S2 struggled in the first half and gave up shots on goal while generating only one of their own.
Sacramento regained the lead eight minutes after Mathers’ equalizer off of a set piece put away with a strong header from defender Mike Da Fonte. It was the decisive goal of the evening, despite a late S2 push.
Lyon was the star of the night for S2 with seven saves on 21 total shots. It marked Republic’s ninth straight match without a loss, setting a club record. S2 have now lost two in a row after a promising two-match winning streak over Cascadia rivals.
S2 continue their road trip at St. Louis FC on Wednesday, July 6 (5 p.m. PT, Live Stream at SoundersFC.com).
