International Friendly
Score: Sounders FC 2 vs. Club Tijuana 2
Goal-scorers: Lamar Neagle (11’), Dayro Moreno (21’), Richard Ruiz (28’), Andy Rose (56’)
Site: CenturyLink Field
Man of the Match: Aaron Kovar served up numerous well-placed crosses against Xolos, two of which led to Sounders FC goals. The 21-year-old midfielder became the second player in club history to record two assists in a friendly, picking up his first on Lamar Neagle’s goal in the 11th minute. Kovar sent a cross from the left flank to the far post, where Cristian Roldan got a head on the ball and played it back to Neagle in the middle of the box. On Andy Rose’s goal, Kovar played in another beautiful cross – this time from the right side – and the ball made its way toward the far post for a Rose tap-in.
Telling Stat: 6. That was the number of Sounders FC players who made their First-Team debuts on Tuesday night. Rookie defender Oniel Fisher started and played 64 minutes at right back, while five other young players came on as substitutes during the second half to make their debuts: Victor Mansaray, Andres Correa, Jimmy Ockford, Darwin Jones and Damion Lowe.
What You Missed: Seattle was without the services of two of its top attacking players: forward Clint Dempsey and outside midfielder Marco Pappa. Dempsey, who was called into the U.S. National Team for the squad’s pair of upcoming friendlies, is now back in Seattle after suffering a minor hamstring injury. Pappa also received a National Team call-up and will be with Guatemala for its two friendlies in the next week.
Just hours before kickoff Tuesday night, the Sounders FC Academy played against Xolos Academy on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. Tijuana won 1-0 on a free-kick goal in the 41st minute.
So What: Sounders FC is now 1-0-1 against Liga MX teams in international friendlies and 4-6-2 versus Mexican sides in all competitions. After having a bye in MLS last weekend, the Rave Green will return to regular-season action on Saturday against an FC Dallas side that has earned a victory in each of its first three matches.
