TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 have not enjoyed the fruits of their labor so far this season. In their first nine matches, they’ve earned six points and have dropped their last two in a row. They now find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference, despite playing seven of nine matches at home.
S2 have struggled but not for lack of chances. In fact, they look quite dangerous when you consider total shots created, generating 92 on the season, putting them seventh among the USL’s massive sample size of 30 teams. Of those 92 shots, 33 have been on target (14th in the league). Even more troubling, S2 have converted those 92 shots into a mere five total goals, second fewest in the league to 0-7-0 FC Montreal.
Despite the struggles, head coach Ezra Hendrickson is pleased with his squad’s progress and remains hopeful for the remainder of the season.
“I think as a whole, the team is getting better,” said Hendrickson. “The one disappointing thing, is our inability to finish. We’re creating chances. Just in the last game alone we had two breakaway one-v-ones with the keeper and we came away with nothing. That aspect of it I think we need to improve.”
Next up are LA Galaxy II, who travel to Starfire Sports on Sunday. Los Dos have been formidable this season tallying 16 points in their ten matches and currently sitting in second in the west. They are goal scoring juggernauts, putting up 20 so far this season, the most in USL. Conversely, they are also quite porous in the back and have conceded 15, tied for most in USL. Hendrickson believes this will be the key to defeating them.
“They’re a team that likes to go forward so they’re going to leave themselves open in the back,” Hendrickson said. “Our focus is going to be not just creating but execution in the final third.”
Los Dos are led by head coach Curt Onalfo who previously coached the Kansas City Wizards from 2007 to 2009. They are captained by forward Jack McBean, who leads the league in goals with an impressive count of nine in ten matches.
“I expect a wide open game…The chances will be there, because they have an open style of play but now we have to take advantage of that.”
The game kicks off at 5 p.m. PT at Starfire Sports in Tukwila and the livestream will be available at SoundersFC.com.
