They didn't make it remotely as easy on themselves as they probably should have, but Seattle Sounders 2 qualified for the USL playoffs in their inaugural season after beating the Austin Aztex 3-2 on Thursday at Starfire Stadium. S2 got a penalty from Sergio Mota and goals from defenders Ashani Fairclough and Nick Miele.
S2 got off to a strong start when a 9th minute handball gave Mota an opportunity from the spot, which he converted calmly. But just three minutes later the Aztex equalized. Despite S2 dominating the run of play, it was the Aztex who took the lead on Romain Gall's blast from about 22 yards out in the 38th minute.
Fairclough was able to get the equalizer just before halftime, finishing off a scramble from a recycled corner kick. S2 needed to sweat it out a bit until Aaron Long found Miele behind the Aztex defense. Miele expertly finished the point-blank chance.