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TUKWILA, WASH. - Midfielder Zach Mathers scored a goal in the first minute of the match, as Sounders FC 2 (9-15-3, 30 points) drew Reno 1868 FC (14-6-7, 49 points) 1-1 at Starfire Stadium on Saturday evening. Still 11th in the Western Conference, S2 hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC next Saturday (7:00 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).
Saturday's fixture featured an incredible start for the Rave Green, with Mathers finding the back of the net in the opening minute. The second-year midfielder out of Duke delivered a well-struck shot on a free kick from the left flank, which blitzed through a crowded area and tucked inside the far post.
Reno 1868 FC equalized in the 38th minute on a goal by Brian Brown. From a corner kick, Brown was stationed at the near post, where he managed to tap in the equalizer on a scramble in front of the goal.
S2 had a few chances to break the deadlock in the second half. Moments after Seattle goalkeeper Tyler Miller managed a goal-line save in the 68th minute, Mathers' effort almost gave S2 the lead. Lorenzo Ramos then nearly scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute, but his volley was cleared by former Sounders FC defender Jimmy Ockford.
Despite a frenetic attack by a trio First Team players - Mathers, Henry Wingo and Seyi Adekoya - in the final minutes of the match, S2 was unable to convert a chance.
Four points below the postseason cutoff line, Ezra Hendrickson's side continues its three-match homestand against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC next Saturday evening. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |1 - 1| Reno 1868 FC
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Venue: Starfire Stadiumz
Referee: Mike Hohnholz
Assistants: Raul Sheran, Robert Gilbert
Fourth Official: Kelsey Harms
Attendance: 1,011
Weather: 64 degrees and cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Zach Mathers 1'
RNO - Brian Brown 38'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
RNO - Jimmy Ockford (caution) 21'
SEA - Rodrigue Ele (caution) 24'
RNO - Marc Pelosi (caution) 85'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Tyler Miller; Denso Ulysse, Sam Rogers, Rodrigue Ele, Steve Whyte, Ray Saari, Calum Mallace (Lorenzo Ramos 41'), Zach Mathers, Henry Wingo, David Olsen (Guy Serge Edoa 73'); Felix Chenkam (Seyi Adekoya 64')
Substitutes not used: Sam Fowler, Charles Renken, Brian Nana-Sinkam, Javorn Stevens
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 3
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 4
Reno 1868 FC - Matt Bersano; Jordan Murrell, Brenton Griffiths, Brent Richards, Jimmy Ockford, Matt LaGrassa; Luis Fernandes (Dane Kelly 62'), Chris Wehan (Darwin Espinal 80'), Junior Burgos (Marc Pelosi 62'), Antoine Hoppenot; Brian Brown
Substitutes not used: Russ Klabough, Seth Casiple, Lindo Mfeka, Marc Pridham
Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 5
Corner-kicks: 5
Saves: 2
