The Sounders FC reserves improved to 6-0-0 with a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy, with the only goal coming from trialist Sammy Ochoa.
TUKWILA, Wash. – The Sounders FC continued to show their depth on Monday, as the reserves improved to 6-0-0 with a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy reserves at Starfire.
In the 11am start, the Sounders got six saves from Terry Boss and a goal in the 82nd minute from trialist Sammy Ochoa to remain unbeaten in the reserve calendar.
“I think the group has played well for each other. I think it’s a reflection of the depth of our team as well,” head coach Sigi Schmid said. “The guys are working hard and they know that a guy like Lamar Neagle, through what he did on the reserve team, got himself onto the field. They feel hopefully they can do it and be the next guy.”
Both goalkeepers were tested from the start, with Boss stopping LA’s first shot on goal off the foot of Mike Magee in the 22nd minute, nearly fumbling it across the line, but getting behind it for the stop in the end. Forward Adam Cristman also caused problems for the Sounders defense, but could not solve Boss, who finished with his fourth reserve league shutout and third in a row.
He also looked particularly impressive in knocking away two shots from Magee in the 66th minute and 68th minute.
On the other side, Brian Perk was also a busy man, making seven saves on the day. His biggest came in the 71st minute when Cillian Sheridan led Miguel Montano into the box and Montano blistered a left-footed shot while Perk dove to his right. Perk left his feet down just long enough, though, to make the foot-save and keep the teams knotted at 0-0.
Finally, Seattle broke through in the 82nd minute.
Erik Friberg pushed Ochoa into the box and Ochoa took a close-range shot. Perk made the first save, but Ochoa persisted on the rebound and the ball found its way over the line in a heap of bodies.
Seattle held to that lead and finished the match as the only team unbeaten in the reserve league.
“Winning games is something that I take a lot of pride in. Finding that rhythm of consistently winning is something you want to do,” defender Zach Scott said. “Whether it’s on the practice field winning games or in reserve games, you want that culture to be created where you step on the field and you win. Period.”
These same two teams will meet again in the reserve league on Tuesday, July 5, in Los Angeles.
Scoring
Sounders FC – Sammy Ochoa (Erik Friberg) 82.
LA Galaxy – None.
Discipline
Sounders FC – Roger Levesque (caution) 47; Leo Gonzalez (caution) 52.
LA Galaxy – None.
Lineups
Sounders FC - Terry Boss, Roger Levesque, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni (Miguel Montano 46), Leo Gonzalez, David Estrada (Myron Samuel 73), Mike Seamon, Erik Friberg, Michael Tetteh, Pat Noonan (Sammy Ochoa 62), Nate Jaqua (Cillian Sheridan 46).
LA Galaxy - Brian Perk, Frankie Hejduk, Gregg Berhalter, Dan Keat, Ryan Thomas (Riley Wolfe 90), Bryan Jordan, Hector Jimenez, Mike Magee, Paolo Cardozo (Kyle Davies 75), Jovan Kirovski, Adam Cristman.
