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Sounders Women put up an impressive display during the season amassing 31 points in 12 games going 10-1-1. The Sounders' lone regular-season loss came on the road against the very same Colorado Pride that defeated them in the final today. The Sounders were without a handful of regular starters that helped them lead the regular season standings. The Pride pulled out all the stops in this one, though a late goal by the rave green made for a nervy ending.
The Sounders never really got things going with their attack sputtering for most of the first half. Passes were left too long and there was miscommunication aplenty. The Sounders for most of the half looked largely disinterested in finding the back of the net and succumbed to a constant high press by the Pride.
The Pride went with a high press strategy and pushed to counter immediately if the ball ended up in their own half. It worked well with striker Tara Andrews finding the net in the 4th minute. Things did not get better for Seattle, as Andrews doubled her tally in the 18th minute. Andrews spun off her defender and brought down the ball, converting a chip from about 25 yards out.
The home side had their chance to bring one back when Mele French earned a PK in 1st half stoppage. It was struck fairly well but the keeper read French's mind and parried it away for a corner.
Both sides came out pressing in the 2nd, the Pride wanted to put this one away and the Sounders needed goals. The half was full of half chances and a couple of great saves on breakaways for both keepers with Cali Farquharson being stoned in a 1v1 twice in the later part of the half.
Ashley Clark gave the Sounders new life with an 84th minute goal. The right back was alone in the top right corner and was found by a perfectly weighted cross by Brianna Hooks. The young RB did not think twice and calmly beat Britt Eckerstrom for the first Sounders Women goal of the night.
The last five minutes plus stoppage was full of shots and headers by the Sounders Women but to no avail with the final chance ending on a Jannelle Flaws offside.
The Sounders Women finished second in the W-League Western Conference and the Colorado Pride will play in the W-League Final Four in Quebec next week.