TUKWILA, WASH. – Sounders FC 2 (7-13-2, 23 points) opened the match with three first-half goals, but ultimately fell short in a 4-3 defeat to the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (7-10-4, 25 points) at Starfire Stadium on Sunday evening. Midfielders Zach Mathers and Francisco Narbon, along with forward Felix Chenkam, provided the goals for the Rave Green. Now in 12th place in the Western Conference, S2 returns to action next Sunday against Whitecaps FC 2 (6:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com)
S2 began the scoring in the 10th minute with a goal by Chenkam. Midfielder Irvin Parra dribbled from the left side of the pitch and into the area, where he found Chenkam slicing into open space to his right. While facing the left sideline, Chenkam struck Parra’s pass with the outside of his right foot and sneaked his shot into the net.
The Toros nearly equalized eight minutes later, but Seattle goalkeeper Tyler Miller made a diving save to his left. They ended up tying the score at one apiece in the 23rd minute. Jose Escalante delivered a cross from the left side of the area, where Kyle Murphy was waiting at the back post for a leaping header.
In the 36th minute, the Rave Green retook the lead on a patient team goal that culminated in Mathers’ team-leading eighth strike of the season. After a 13-pass combination, Mathers found himself alone from just beyond the 18-yard-box. His ensuing strike slipped inside the right post for the 2-1 lead.
Three minutes before halftime, Narbon’s goal gave S2 a 3-1 advantage. Midfielder Lorenzo Ramos placed a curling pass directly in front of the net, where Narbon could flick a header directly behind him and into the goal.
Beginning in the 52nd minute, the Toros managed to record three goals to pull off the comeback. Jorginho James sparked the run with a well-struck shot that snuck past Miller and his right post. In the 61st minute, Jose Escalante’s intended cross from the left of the field drifted across the line and into the far corner.
In the 68th minute, the Toros broke the 3-3 tie with a stunning goal by Joseph Holland. Near the touch line on the right flank, Holland blistered a shot from a tight angle that landed in the side netting for the game-winning goal.
S2 defender Brian Nana-Sinkam nearly scored the equalizer in the 90th minute, but his header drifted over the crossbar. After its sixth consecutive loss, Ezra Hendrickson’s side returns to action next Sunday against Whitecaps FC 2. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |3 - 4| Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistants: Joshua Haimes, Kelsey Harms
Fourth Official: Christopher Krueger
Attendance: 965
Weather: 78 degrees and smoke
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Felix Chenkam (Irvin Parra) 10’
RGV – Kyle Murphy (Jose Escalante) 23’
SEA – Zach Mathers (Felix Chenkam) 36’
SEA – Francisco Narbon (Lorenzo Ramos) 42’
RGV – Jose Escalante 61’
RGV – Joseph Holland (Kyle Murphy) 68’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Christian Koontz (caution) 54’
SEA – Ray Saari (caution) 57’
RGV – Robert Casner (caution) 83’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Tyler Miller; Lorenzo Ramos, Brian Nana-Sinkam, Sam Rogers, Christian Koontz; Ray Saari, Francisco Narbon, Zach Mathers, Shandon Hopeau (Henry Wingo HT), Irvin Parra (Javorn Stevens 75’); Felix Chenkam (Guy Serge Edoa HT)
Substitutes not used: Sam Fowler, Charles Renken, David Olsen, Seyi Adekoya
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 5
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 8
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros – Calle Brown; Ivan Magalhaes, Taylor Hunter, Justin Bilyeu, Victor Garza; Todd Wharton, Eric Bird, Jorginho James, Joseph Holland (Ruben Luna 84’), Jose Escalante (Robert Casner 77’); Kyle Murphy (Francisco Pungo 72’)
Substitutes not used: Borja Angoitia, Leo Ayala, Juan Garcia, Robert Sagel
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 12
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2
