TUKWILA, Wash. – After leading the match for 70 minutes, Seattle Sounders FC 2 conceded a late goal and take just a point in a 1-1 draw against Oklahoma City Energy FC.
“It obviously wasn’t good enough,” said head coach Ezra Hendrickson. “At home, with the way we played in the first half and the opportunities that we had, we should have buried this team.”
The equalizing goal came in the final seconds of play from Energy FC forward Danni König who finished the rebound from a point-blank save made by goalkeeper Tyler Miller. Prior to the goal, Miller was outstanding, making eight saves on 20 shots and closing in on a third-straight shutout.
S2's defensive struggles started in the 81st minute when defender Oniel Fisher was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Fisher picked up his first yellow less than five minutes earlier.
“When you go down a man you’ve got to come together even more,” said midfielder Jordan Schweitzer, who served as captain for the evening. “I don’t think it’s something you ever expect to go into…We’ll learn from it.”
Forward Victor Mansaray recorded his second goal of the season in the 20th minute, making him the team’s leading scorer. Mansaray buried his shot after sidestepping the goalkeeper and muscling off an OKC defender to put S2 up 1-0.
“It’s a very good goal by him,” said Hendrickson. “He’s showing that he can put the ball in the back of the net; we still need a little a bit more from him…At times he’s still a bit stagnant.”
Despite the discouraging draw, S2 are still unbeaten in four straight and will look to extend their streak when they welcome Tulsa Roughnecks FC to Starfire Sports on Sunday, May 8 (7 p.m. PT).
