TUCSON, ARIZ. – Seattle Sounders FC kicked-off its first live action of the 2016 preseason presented by adidas Wednesday evening at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Homegrown Players Darwin Jones and Aaron Kovar each scored as the Rave Green played 135 minutes of action, beginning with 2-1 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC over 90 minutes of play, followed by a 1-0 win over FC Tucson in an additional period.
Sounders FC came out in a 4-3-3 formation in the first half against Vancouver, with Designated Players Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Nelson Valdez leading the line ahead of a midfield trio of Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg and Andreas Ivanschitz. The attack generated a number of chances but the period ultimately ended scoreless.
With completely new lineups for both sides in the second half, Whitecaps FC went up 1-0 in the 53rd minute thanks to a Darren Mattocks penalty kick following a Damion Lowe foul in the box. Seattle then equalized in the 77th via a pair of Homegrown Players, with Kovar sending a well-placed through ball down the middle to Jones for the first club’s first goal of 2016. Mattocks gave Vancouver the 2-1 edge with a late winner following a Seattle mis-clearance inside the 18-yard-box.
Sounders FC then played an additional period against PDL side FC Tucson after the conclusion of 90 minutes against Vancouver, with Kovar recording the lone strike over 45 minutes of play.
The 2016 Sounders FC Preseason presented by adidas continues Saturday against the Portland Timbers, with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. PT at Kino North Stadium. The club then plays its third and final Desert Friendly on Tuesday, February 9 against Mexican side Celaya FC before returning to Seattle on February 10. Complete information on the 2016 Sounders FC Preseason presented by adidas can be found at SoundersFC.com/SFCpreseason.
Seattle's eighth season begins this month with the 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round against Club America before the MLS season-opener on March 6. 2016 Sounders FC Season Ticket Packages, which include the first leg against Club America on February 23 at CenturyLink Field, are available now for as low as $24 per match via the following link: http://sndrs.com/uxb7 or by calling 1-877-MLS-GOAL.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Kino Sports Complex
50 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
VAN – Darren Mattocks (penalty) 53’
SEA – Darwin Jones (Kovar) 77’
VAN – Darren Mattocks 90’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
VAN – Erik Hurtado (caution) 30’
SEA – Damion Lowe (caution) 84’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC
First Half Lineup – Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Jimmy Ockford, Chad Marshall, Joevin Jones; Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Andreas Ivanschitz; Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey, Nelson Valdez
Second Half Lineup – Tyler Miller; Oniel Fisher, Zach Scott, Damion Lowe, Dylan Remick; Cristian Roldan, Michael Farfan, Nathan Sturgis; Ben Speas, Darwin Jones, Aaron Kovar
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 3
Saves: 3
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
First Half Lineup – David Ousted; Fraser Aird, Cole Seiler, Christian Dean, Jordan Harvey, Matias Laba, Russell Teibert; Erik Hurtado, Nicolas Mezquida, Cristian Techera, Masato Kudo
Second Half Lineup – David Ousted; Jackson Farmer, Cole Seiler (Alphonso Davies 60’), Christian Dean, Brett Levis; Deybi Flores, Gershon Koffie; Giuliano Frano, Daniel Haber, Victor Blasio; Darren Mattocks
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 5
Saves: 2
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – FC Tucson 0 (45 minutes)
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Kino Sports Complex
50 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Aaron Kovar 34’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Zach Mathers (caution) 39’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Charlie Lyon; Michael Nelson, Roberto Chen, Tony Alfaro, Anthony Wallace; Zach Mathers, Emir Alihodzic, Sergio Mota; Myron Samuel, Victor Mansaray, Darwin Jones
Total shots: 3
Shots on goal: 1
Saves: 3
