TUKWILA, Wash. – Defender Tony Alfaro scored the late equalizer that earned Seattle Sounders FC 2 their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw against visiting Rio Grande Valley FC at Starfire Sports on Tuesday.
The goal came in the 84th minute when defender Oniel Fisher played an attractive free kick into the opposing box, which Alfaro connected to with his head.
“It feels good,” said Alfaro, who was drafted by the Sounders in the MLS SuperDraft in January. “It was a perfect ball from Fisher… I was free, so it was just a little tap-in.”
Forward Victor Mansaray also got on the score sheet, recording the first goal of the season for S2 in the 20th minute from a Zach Mathers through ball.
S2 were unable to keep the lead, however, as a pair of quick goals at the start of the second half sent Rio Grande roaring ahead.
“I think second half we came in a little overconfident in thinking we were already up one,” said Alfaro. “We were just too casual, but we were able to get the tying goal, and a point is better than no points, so we’re progressing.”
The result snaps a troublesome three-game losing streak to begin the season and gave head coach Ezra Hndrickson some positives after a tough first three weeks of the season.
“We changed our mentality,” said Hendrickson. “We came out firing on all cylinders.”
Going down early has been a plague upon the success of S2 so far this year, and a problem that Hendrickson had attributed to his team’s attitude. But due to some competitive adjustments in training this week, Hendrickson believes they are turning the corner.
“I thought they played their hearts out tonight,” he said. “I liked the effort; I liked the soccer.”
S2 return to action at home on Sunday against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for their last match of the home stand before hitting the road for the first time this season.
“It’s a start. It’s one point in the right direction,” Hendrickson said. “We’ve got to come back out on Sunday with the same intensity, the same competitive mentality… and try to get three points. But this is good progress.”
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Victor Mansaray (Zach Mathers) 20’
RGV FC – George Malki 50’
RGV FC – Emilio Garcia 53’
SEA – Tony Alfaro (Oniel Fisher) 84’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Mark O’Ojong (caution) 33’
SEA – Nathan Sturgis (caution) 45’
RGV FC – George Malki (caution) 60’
SEA – Michael Farfan (caution) 75’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Charlie Lyon; Oniel Fisher, Tobi Jnohope, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou Tolo; Nathan Sturgis (Michael Farfan 62’), Mark O’Ojong, Zach Mathers (Lorenzo Ramos 81’), Andy Craven, Victor Mansaray (Emir Alihodzic 71’), Handwalla Bwana (Oalex Anderson 62’)
Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano, Michael Nelson, Nick Hinds
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 16
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2
Rio Grande Valley FC – Devin Perales; Kevin Garcia, George Malki, Sebastien Ibeagha, Bradley Bourgeois (Kai Greene 58’); Emilio Garcia (Juan Carlos Flores 83’), Charlie Ward, Collen Warner (Jorginho James 70’); Jose “Memo” Rodriguez (Roger “TJ” Casner 71’); Dzenan Catic; Jose Escalante (Christian Lucatero 87’)
Substitutes not used: Arturo Sanchez, Leo Ayala
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 20
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 3
Saves: 5
