TUKWILA, WASH. - Sounders FC 2 (9-16-4, 31 points) came up short in a 1-0 loss to Phoenix Rising FC (12-7-7, 43 points) on Wednesday evening at Starfire Stadium. The contest wraps up the 16-match home slate for S2's 2017 USL season, with the Rave Green recording a 5-8-3 mark at Starfire Stadium. Still 11th in the Western Conference, S2 embarks on a three-match road trip to close the campaign. The next fixture is against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on October 7 (5:00 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).
S2 nearly struck first in the 34th minute, but midfielder Zach Mathers' thunderous free-kick from the top of the area struck the crossbar. Just before halftime, Phoenix scored the lone goal of the match when Alessandro Riggi broke free in front of the goal and found the back post.
In the second half, the Rave Green tried valiantly to break the clean sheet. In the 65th minute, S2 suffered a setback when midfielder Jordy Delem was sent off for a high challenge and Seattle played the remaining 25 minutes with 10 men. Playing a three-man backline to push up the attack, 16-year-old Azriel Gonzalez made his return to action from injury, subbing in for defender Steve Whyte in the 72nd minute.
Gonzalez almost equalized in second-half stoppage time, but his shot drifted just wide. Despite 13 total shots, including five on target, the Rave Green were unable to find the scoresheet.
Six points below the postseason cutoff line, Ezra Hendrickson's side begins its three-match road trip on October 7 against Tulsa. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT and is set to be live-streamed on SoundersFC.com.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |0 - 1| Phoenix Rising FC
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistants: Cephas Quartson, Corbyn May
Fourth Official: Chuck Spaniola
Attendance: 966
Weather: 58 degrees and partly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
PHX - Alessandro Riggi (Chris Cortez) 44'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
PHX - Victor Vasquez (caution) 33'
SEA - Jordy Delem (caution) 42'
PHX - Victor Vasquez (caution) 60'
SEA - Jordy Delem (ejection) 64'
SCORING SUMMARY
PHX - Jason Johnson (caution) 75'
SEA - Denso Ulysse (caution) 84'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Tyler Miller; Denso Ulysse, Sam Rogers, Rodrigue Ele; Steve Whyte (Azriel Gonzalez 73'), Harry Shipp, Jordy Delem, Zach Mathers, Henry Wingo, David Olsen (Guy Serge Edoa HT); Seyi Adekoya (Felix Chenkam 59')
Substitutes not used: Sam Fowler, Brian Nana-Sinkam, Francisco Narbon, Shandon Hopeau
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 5
Corner-kicks: 8
Saves: 2
Phoenix Rising FC - Josh Cohen; Kody Wakasa, Doueugi Mala, Jordan Stewart, Victor Vasquez (Jason Johnson 62'), Sam Hamilton, Keyon Lambert, Amadou Dia, Gladson Awako (AJ Gray 81'); Alessandro Riggi, Chris Cortez (Matt Watson 76')
Substitutes not used: John Berner, Jordan Gibbons, Eric Avila, Blair Gavin
Total shots: 11
Shots on goal: 3
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5
