The Sounders FC Academy U-18 squad’s season has come to an end after losing 3-2 to the LA Galaxy in extra-time of the USSDA semifinal. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first 25 minutes of the match, the Galaxy battled back after the break to send the match to extra-time and found the winner in the 97th minute.
It was a tale of two halves in Carson, Calif., as a scintillating first-half display from the Sounders attack saw Seattle up two goals by the 24th minute.
The first goal was a truly wonderful attacking sequence. A diagonal pass to the right flank seemed to be heading out of bounds, but winger Paul Rothrock cushioned the pass with his head, dribbled past three defenders and drove the byline. His inch-perfect cross to the back post was met by Greg Sutton, who produced a stunning goal by sliding past his defender and volleying into an open net.
Sutton doubled Seattle’s advantage just two minutes later. Midfielder Jamie Dimitroff found Shandon Hopeau in space down the left flank, and the Hawaiian played a clever, first-time pass into the path of Sutton, who drove past his defender and calmly finished off the play.
Seattle started the second half in similar fashion, but a long-distance goal from Efrain Alvarez found the back of the net, halving Seattle’s advantage. LA found the equalizer in the 78th minute, sending the match into extra-time.
With momentum in the Galaxy’s favor, the Sounders defended resolutely and even managed to carve out a few half-chances in transition. But just as the tides were turning in the young Sounders’ favor, the hosts scored another goal off a counter, effectively completing the comeback.
The U-18s piled the pressure on LA throughout the final period of extra-time, and although they came close with a few chances, they were unable to find an equalizer.
