SEATTLE – Seattle Sounders FC 2 couldn't find the back of the net on Friday evening as the team dropped its third preseason outing against Seattle University 2-0.
Forward Victor Mansaray launched a close-range shot high over the crossbar in the 43rd minute that encapsulated the night for S2, which had more than four chances from within the six-yard box and failed to capitalize.
The closest opportunity to score came from outside the box in the 12th minute from forward Oalex Anderson, who struck a rocket off the post from 25 yards out.
S2 went into the break down 1-0 after giving up a goal in the final minute of the first half when trialist goalkeeper Daniel Faundez struggled to smother a free kick and SU finished the rebound.
Seattle University sealed the win in the 85th minute despite S2 putting together several creative attacks in the second half. After pressing forward, an SU counter attack doubled the Redhawks' lead.
While finishing has certainly been a problem for S2, head coach Ezra Hendrickson said he was more troubled by the team's mentality after giving up a goal in the first half.
“The worst thing for me was effort," Hendrickson said. “I think from start to finish they out hustled us; they won every 50/50 ball and we just didn’t put up a fight. Like I told them at the end of the game, if you want to play on this team, you’re going to have to bring effort. From the time that whistle blows you’re going to have to bring 100 percent.”
S2 still has two matches to play before opening the USL regular season on March 25 at Starfire Sports, and Hendrickson has hope his squad can turn the tide before then, but stressed that players must improve on every match.
“I think we were on the right uptick but today I think we took a step back,” said Hendrickson. “That’s not good for us but we still have a couple more games to get it right."
S2 travels north to Vancouver to challenge Whitecaps FC 2 on Wednesday before returning home for a final preseason match against Gonzaga University on March 19.
