TUKWILA, WASH. - Against the hottest team in USL, Seattle Sounders FC 2 (7-10-2, 23 points) came up short in a 2-0 loss to Swope Park Rangers (12-4-2, 38 points) on Thursday evening at Starfire Stadium. With the result, Swope Park extends its seven-match winning streak, including five consecutive shutouts. Of note, midfielder Guy Edoa, a 20-year-old from Cameroon who signed earlier today, made his USL debut in the second half for the Rave Green. S2, which remains in seventh place in the Western Conference, returns to the road for a match against Sacramento Republic FC on Sunday evening (8:00 pm. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).
The match was scoreless through the opening 45 minutes. Swope Park nearly took an early lead when a shot struck the woodwork, while S2 was unable to get a shot on frame. With three matches in eight days, S2 included a host of young players in Thursday's rotation. Midfielder Azriel Gonzalez, a 16-year-old who became the youngest signing in club history when he inked an S2 contract earlier this month, recorded his first professional start.
SPR broke through in the 55th minute on a goal by Lebo Meloto. While free in the area with space, Meloto found the back of the net past goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. S2 nearly equalized in the 62nd minute, but Gonzalez was unable capitalize on a chance when his shot was saved by Adrian Zendejas.
The visitors extended the lead to 2-0 on a quick-strike goal by Nansel Selbol. On a counterattack, Swope Park capitalized on a 2-1 advantage, with Mark Gonzalez finding Selbol to his left. With one touch, the streaking forward sent a curling ball to Meredith's far post, tucking it inside the top corner.
After two matches this week, S2 returns to the road for a contest against Sacramento Republic on Sunday evening. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. PT.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |0 - 2| Swope Park Rangers
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistants: Cephas Quartson, Seth Martin
Fourth Official: Levi Rippy
Attendance: 951
Weather: 65 degrees and mostly sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
SPR - Lebo Moloto (Oumar Ballo) 55'
SPR - Nansel Selbol (Mark Gonzalez) 83'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SPR - James Musa (caution) 31'
SEA - Charles Renken (caution) 36'
SPR - Colton Storm (caution) 61'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Bryan Meredith; Lorenzo Ramos, Brian Nana-Sinkam, Khai Brisco, Christian Koontz; Ray Saari, Francisco Narbon, Zach Mathers (Dylan Teves 64'), Charles Renken (Guy Edoa 73'), Azriel Gonzalez, Seyi Adekoya (Victor Mansaray HT)
Substitutes not used: Sam Fowler, Cameron Martin, Camilo Santiago
Total shots: 4
Shots on goal: 1
Corner-kicks: 2
Saves: 2
Swope Park Rangers - Adrian Zendejas; Parker Maher, Oumar Ballo (Wan Kuzain Wan Karnal 85'), Amer Didic, Colton Storm; James Musa, Christian Duke, Lebo Moloto (Mark Gonzalez 74'), Felipe Hernandez; Cameron Iwasa (Nansel Selbol 59'), Khlarton Belmar
Substitutes not used:Darrin MacLeod, Dakota Barnathan, Liam Doyle, Robert Mirosavic
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 1
