Seattle Sounders FC 2 suffered a disappointing 3-1 loss at home against Real Monarchs, with one goal in the first half and two in the second handing the visitors all three points. The Real Salt Lake affiliate opened the scoring in the first half with a well-taken penalty kick, and then canceled out David Olsen’s early second-half equalizer with two quick strikes of their own against the run of play.
Despite carving out a host of chances in the opening period, S2 fell behind in the 35th minute when the referee awarded Real Monarchs a penalty kick for a sliding challenge in the box that felled winger Jordan Allen. Midfielder Chandler Huff stepped up and calmly put away the subsequent spot kick to hand the visitors the lead.
S2 came out of the gates swinging in the second half and quickly equalized courtesy of a sweetly struck volley by Olsen. The Monarchs goalkeeper came off his line to punch away a Ray Saari set-piece service, and the Sounders Academy alum was on hand for a skillful poacher’s finish from the edge of the area.
The Monarchs found the eventual game-winner in the 68th minute, capitalizing on a turnover inside S2’s defensive third to break the deadlock. Midfielder Jose Hernandez picked up the loose pass and coolly slotted home his shot. Defensive midfielder Nick Besler added an insurance just six minutes later when he burst into the box and rifled his shot into the bottom-right corner.
The Monarchs nearly added a fourth in the final minute of second-half stoppage time when the referee awarded the visitors a second PK. Goalkeeper Tyler Miller read the shooter perfectly and produced a stunning save on the ensuing shot.
“I think from start to finish, we didn’t play our best game,” said head coach Ezra Hendrickson. “It’s a quick turnaround, we play on Tuesday, so we’ve got to get over this and get the guys’ heads back up and remain confident because we’re a much better team than we showed today.”
S2 falls to 2-3-0 on the season following last weekend’s 2-1 win on the road over LA Galaxy II. The Rave Green return Starfire stadium on Tuesday in another USL Western Conference clash with San Antonio FC.
