COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Seattle Sounders FC 2 (9-12-8, 35 points) snapped its four-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 loss at first-place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (14-8-7, 49 points) on Saturday evening. The defeat all but eliminates S2 from advancing to its second-consecutive postseason with the season finale at Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, September 24 (5:00 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com). Forward Darwin Jones provided the scoring for the Rave Green with a 29th-minute equalizing strike, but the host side reclaimed the lead in the match's waning moments for the 2-1 scoreline.
Seattle goalkeeper Matt Bersano made his first USL start in the contest after earning his first minutes of the season last week at OKC Energy FC in a reserve role. Bersano made seven saves on Saturday, as Switchbacks FC peppered the visitors with 16 total shots. Colorado Springs sprang to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute on a goal from Rony Argueta. The midfielder gathered the ball on a pass from Taesong Kim and dribbled to the top of the area, where he delivered a well-struck shot into the top-left corner of the net.
About 20 minutes later, Jones drew the score level at one-apiece. The second-year Homegrown Player received a throw-in on the right flank, then suddenly surged forward and pierced through Switchbacks FC's backline. After freeing himself past the last defender, Jones sent a shot to the keeper's far post for the equalizer.
Despite a flurry of chances from either side - Seattle finished with three shots on goal, while Colorado Springs had nine - it appeared the match would end at 1-1 and S2 would salvage the road point until Switchbacks FC capitalized on a counterattack. Four minutes into second-half stoppage time, S2 pushed forward in an attempt to steal three points, but the attack was thwarted and Switchbacks FC sent the ball up the pitch. Mike Seth found himself on-on-one with the onrushing Bersano and snuck a left-footed shot past the visiting keeper for the 2-1 win.
Ezra Hendrickson's side plays its final match of the campaign with a road tilt at Swope Park Rangers on Saturday, September 24 (5:00 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |1-2| Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Venue: Switchbacks Stadium
Referee: Hamed Sadeghi
Assistants: Jacob Herold, Justin Filmore
Fourth Official: Joseph Wykowski
Weather: Clear and 67 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
COS - Rony Argueta (Taesong Kim) 8'
SEA - Darwin Jones 29'
COS - Mike Seth (Saeed Robinson) 90'+4'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA - Zach Mathers (caution) 55'
SEA - Nouhou Tolo (caution) 70'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Matt Bersano; Devon Fisher (Michael Nelson 78'), Jordy Delem, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou Tolo (Jaime Dimitroff 86'); Jordan Schweitzer, Willy Kapawa (Mark O'Ojong 78'), Myron Samuel, Zach Mathers, Darwin Jones; Irvin Parra (Carlos Patino 22') (Shandon Hopeau (75')
Substitutes not used: John David Muse, Lorenzo Ramos
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 3
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 7
Switchbacks FC - Devala Gorrick; Jordan Burt, Christian Ibeagha, Josh Phillips, Josh Suggs; Rony Argueta, Conor Doyle, Kim Taesong (Yaw Danso); Mike Seth, Miguel Gonzalez (Saeed Robinson 73'), Luke Vercollone
Substitutes not used: Zac Gibbens, Jarvis Greer, Davy Armstrong, Marty Maybin, Jung Yeon Park
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 9
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 2
