TUKWILA, Wash. - Cam Weaver scored the second-half winner as Seattle Sounders FC (2-0-1, 7 points) beat the Orange County Blues of the United Soccer League, 1-0, in MLS Reserve League action on Sunday afternoon at Starfire Stadium.
Weaver scored the game-winner in the 73rd minute. Sean Okoli settled a ball at the top of the box and played it into space behind the defense. Weaver ran onto the loose ball and tapped it past the goalkeeper with his right foot to give Seattle the 1-nil lead.
Sounders FC outshot Orange Country 24-8, including two strikes that hit the goal frame. In the 10th minute, Tristan Bowen collected a cross from Okoli but his shot slammed off the crossbar. In the second half, Okoli fired a shot from inside the box that caromed off the crossbar.
Seattle had a pair of opportunities in the 32nd minute. First, Barrett rushed forward on a break, cut inside his defender and fired a shot that was blocked by the defense. Moments later, Weaver found a bouncing ball in the box but his attempt was blocked for a corner kick.
Sounders FC had another dangerous sequence in the second half. In the 61st minute, Fabio Pereira smashed a half-volley from outside the box that was saved by McLain. Two minutes later, Pereira sent in a cross from the left flank that found Barrett in the center of the box, but his strong header was saved.
Seattle goalkeeper Josh Ford entered the match at halftime and made a difficult save on a long-range shot from Enrique Cardenas in the 50th minute, tipping his chip attempt over the crossbar.
Orange Country nearly scored a late equalizer when Gabriel Gonzalez fired a shot from inside the box in the 81st minute, but Aaron Kovar blocked it off the line to preserve the lead.
Sounders FC continues MLS Reserve League play on Monday, May 26 at Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. PT at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.
Scoring Summary:
SEA - Cam Weaver (Sean Okoli) 73'
Seattle Sounders FC - Marcus Hahnemann (Josh Ford 46), David Estrada, Andy Rose, Dylan Remick, Aaron Kovar, Sean Okoli, Fabio Pereira, Micheal Azira, Tristan Bowen, Chad Barrett (Victor Rojes 67), Cam Weaver.
Substitutes Not Used: Seyi Adekoya, Yoshi Chaffin, Matt Reinikka, Justin Critchlow.
TOTAL SHOTS: 24; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 7; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 2.
Orange County Blues - Pat McLain, Jimmy Turner, Taylor Peay, Fabrice Gautrat (Joe Sofia 45), Joshua Suggs, Enrique Cardenas (Mehrshad Momeni 65), Stephen Okai (Chris Cortez 77), Jiovanni Santana (Gabriel Gonzalez 52), Seung Ju Kim (Christopher Santana 77), Allan Russell, Andrew Hoxie.
Substitutes Not Used: Mohammad Mohamadi.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDE: 4; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 6.
Misconduct Summary:
OC - Enrique Cardenas (caution) 57'
SEA - Sean Okoli (caution) 61'
OC - Andrew Hoxie (caution) 72'
OC - Mehrshad Momeni (caution) 86'
Referee: Levi Rippy
Referee's Assistants: Jason Hutchinson and Joshua Haimes
4th Official: Jeff Arthurholtz
