With only four weeks to play in the USL regular season, Sounders FC 2 needs just five points to clinch its first-ever postseason berth. Heading into its second-straight road match this Friday against Real Monarchs, S2 is more determined than ever to pick-up points on the road, but knows it will be no easy task in Utah.
“Monarchs are a tough squad,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “They just knocked off Colorado Springs and had a good draw against Sacramento, so we know they can play, we just need to head in there with confidence to get a result.”
Although the Monarchs are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-13-8 record, the club has had recent success against top teams, defeating Switchbacks FC at home and earning a late draw against Sacramento Republic FC on August 22. Two of the club’s three wins have come against teams near the top of the table or in the running for a final playoff spot.
S2 travels to Utah having been unable to pick up points on the road against LA Galaxy II on August 23. The Rave Green will be without starting right back Giuliano Frano, who picked up a red card in the second half against LA. Monarchs will also be missing a player as forward Max Rauhofer sits out the final game of a five-match suspension.
Starting out the season as one of the top goal scoring threats in the USL, S2 has been shut out in three of its last four and will be looking for a resurgence from its attack on Friday. Pablo Rossi, the club’s leading scorer with seven goals, last scored July 12 in S2’s 4-0 rout of Arizona United SC at home.
Rossi scored the only goal in S2’s 1-0 win over the Monarchs on June 25, while goalkeeper Charlie Lyon made a career-high 10 saves to preserve the shutout at home.
Kickoff for Friday’s match is at 6:00 p.m. PT, and will be livestreamed on SoundersFC.com.
