LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Captain Ray Saari scored his first goal of the season, but S2 suffered a 4-1 road loss on Saturday in its first-ever game against Las Vegas Lights FC. Seattle fell to 3-8-2 this season, including 0-4-2 on the road, while Las Vegas improved to 4-5-4 overall.
Saari made a clever run inside the area in first-half stoppage time and slipped the ball past the outstretched arms of Las Vegas goalkeeper Angel Alvarez for Seattle’s only goal of the evening. The tally gave S2 some momentum heading into halftime, but former Sounder Zach Mathers scored in the 49th minute for Lights FC to put the game out of reach, 4-1.
Las Vegas scored the first three goals of the match, including two from former Sounder Samuel Ochoa in the first 35 minutes. His first of the night came on a loose ball in front in the 17th minute, and his second came on a deflected kick by S2 goalkeeper Calle Brown in the 35th. Joel Huiqui put Las Vegas ahead, 3-0, in the 43rd minute when he settled a long ball over the top and blasted it past Brown from close range.
S2 returns to action on Sunday, July 1 at LA Galaxy II at 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN+. The club returns home to Cheney Stadium in Tacoma on Thursday, July 5 against Swope Park Rangers (7:00 p.m. PT / ESPN+).
MATCH SUMMARY
Sounders FC 2 I 1-4 I Las Vegas Lights FC
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Venue: Cashman Field I Las Vegas, Nevada
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal
Assistants: Stephen McGonagle, Justin Fillmore
Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin
Weather: 90 degrees and clear
Attendance: 6,785
SCORING SUMMARY
LV– Samuel Ochoa 17’
LV – Samuel Ochoa 35’
LV – Joel Huiqui (Angel Alvarez) 43’
SEA – Ray Saari 45’+1’
LV – Zach Mathers (Samuel Ochoa) 49’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
LV – Joel Huiqui 19’ (caution)
LV – Samuel Ochoa 31’ (caution)
SEA – Ray Saari 85’ (caution)
LINEUPS & STATS
S2 – Calle Brown; Denso Ulysse, Rodrigue Ele, Francisco Narbon (Shandon Hopeau 72’), Ibrahim Usman (Antonee Burke-Gilroy 45’); Jordy Delem, Ray Saari - captain; David Olsen (Jesse Daley 45’); Henry Wingo, David Estrada, Nick Hinds
Substitutes not used: Conrad Lee, Sam Rogers, RJ Stretch, Sakari Carter
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 7
Fouls: 11
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 5
LV – Angel Alvarez; Juan Herrera-Perla, Joel Huiqui, Marcelo Alatorre, Marco Cesar Jaime Jr.; Christian Torres, Alex Mendoza, Daigo Kobayashi (Raul Mendiola 74’), Carlos Alvarez (Julian Portugal 82’), Zach Mathers (Freddy Adu 62’); Sammy Ochoa
Substitutes not used: Thomas Olsen, Miguel Angel Garduno
Total shots: 19
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 19
Offside: 4
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 6
