TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 have done it again.
Coming off of an 88th minute victory on Monday against Portland Timbers 2, S2 defeated their other Cascadia nemesis, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in the final seconds on Friday. This time, forward Darwin Jones was the hero, scoring a sensational goal in the 94th minute of stoppage time.
“I’m happy that he [Jones] got that second chance and he did well with it,” said head coach Ezra Hendrickson. “Trust me, we don’t want the games to be that interesting, but you know what, it was fun. Fun for the fans, and we got the three points.”
Forward Irvin Parra scored his first goal in an S2 uniform since signing with the team on Aug. 4. Parra’s goal occurred in the 67th minute and was of equal importance, since S2 had gone down by one just three minutes prior.
“It feels amazing; I’m speechless right now,” Parra told reporters. “Last home game, I had to do that for the fans. I had to show them I have something.”
To make the moment even more special, Parra had an interesting discussion with his parents prior to the match.
“I had that feeling,” he said. “I talked to my parents before the game and they even told me the same thing, that today was the day.”
The three points are crucial for S2, who are battling their way into the playoffs from the depths of the Western Conference. Six points from their two final home matches was essential for that campaign.
“We set out saying that we needed six points from these last two home games and in both games the guys played until the end,” Hendrickson told reporters. I’m happy for the guys; they’re working hard.”
As high as the team is flying right now, the toughest challenge may still lay ahead, as S2 finish the season on a four-game road stretch. Hendrickson believes his team must claim at least six more points in that time, beginning with a rematch against Vancouver on Monday.
“With the momentum we have going into these last four games, anything is possible,” said Hendrickson. “It’s not going to be easy. No one is going to let you come in and win on their home pitch but we have the right group of guys to get the points and get into the playoffs.”
