It was a big week for Sounders FC 2. The Rave Green achieved its fourth shutout of the season with a 1-0 win over Real Monarchs SLC on Thursday, and S2 forward Andy Craven was added to the Sounders FC First Team roster ahead of Sunday’s match against Portland Timbers.
S2 now travels to Portland to face Timbers 2 on Monday at Merlo Field, the venue in which the team earned its first road win back in May.
In fact, across both Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and USL league play, S2 has yet to lose to T2, home or away. The Rave Green have scored twice in each previous meeting between the teams and earned its second shutout of the season on the road in Portland.
T2 is coming off a 3-2 loss at Whitecaps FC 2 and is looking to earn three points, which would put them in sixth place and into playoff position.
With a win, S2 could jump to a tie with Sacramento Republic FC for first place in the USL Western Conference, but the team has been working with a somewhat depleted roster due to international call-ups and suspensions. However, three new players on loan from PDL side Kitsap Pumas SC stepped in to help S2 to the shutout win against Real Monarchs.
“I thought the new guys played really well for us having only practiced one day before the game,” said Hendrickson. “This is a great opportunity for these guys, and the more they play together, the more they will start to better their play with the team.”
Both S2 and T2 have allowed 23 goals this season, but S2 has recorded two shutouts in its last three matches and has yet to allow T2 more than four shots on goal in any of their previous meetings.
Kickoff for Monday’s match is at 7:00 p.m. PT, and will be live-streamed on SoundersFC.com.
