It was their second come-from-behind win at home and their fourth straight home win for Seattle Sounders FC 2. Sam Garza leveled the match in the 66th minute. Pablo Rossi's penalty strike gave S2 the win in the 86th. OC Blues earned their lead when Denzel Slager slipped by Andres Correa. The ensuing cross was tipped by Aaron Kovar, but that was not enough. The looping ball fell to Christopher Ramirez who headed in his first goal of the year.
S2 started their strongest backline yet. In front of MLS contractee Charlie Lyon in goal were Andres Correa, Jimmy Ockford, Damion Lowe and Oniel Fisher. The midfield and forwards were a mix of USL and MLS players. Aaron Kovar started at left mid with Andy Crave on the right. Amadou Sanyang and Giuliano Frano sat in the middle. Pablo Rossi and Darwin Jones played up top.
The first half was a dour affair for Ezra's side. OC Blues looked much stronger defensively and were able to generate attacks out of it. Most of their effectiveness came through the Slager-Correa matchup. Seattle was stuck trying to generate through longballs and hopeful runs, though the final 15 minutes showed some strong possession.
In the second forty-five S2 looked the stronger side. They played more possession and intermixed their speedy counter-strikes. Kovar's service on set-pieces created the first goal, with Garza slamming home a rebound.
That is a spectacular hit from @SamGarza17 pic.twitter.com/LaG2Jg8w6V
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) May 2, 2015
Garza had entered at half, coming on for Jones. Craven went up top with that change. Ezra continued the tinkering. He next replaced Correa who left with an injury. Aaron Long entered to play right back with Fisher moving to the left. Qudus Lawal came on for Craven and later Qalex Anderson replaced Kovar.
Anderson injected speed immediately. With a straight-line run he burst through the Blues midfield and defense. OC chopped him down in the box. Rossi finished the penalty with authority.
One simply does not stop a @pablitorossi10 PK. pic.twitter.com/W24g7MxqNN
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) May 2, 2015
Duncan McCormick played the final four minutes as S2 took a more defensive posture.
S2's next game is a trip to last year's champions. Sacramento Republic host the Two at 7:30 PM next Saturday.