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Jones’ Brace Leads S2 Past United

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/17/16, 12:40AM EDT

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Sounders FC 2 claims back-and-forth clash with 3-2 victory in Arizona


Photo courtesy Arizona United SC

PEORIA, Ariz. – Darwin Jones scored twice as Seattle Sounders FC 2 took a 3-2 victory against Arizona United SC on Saturday night at the Peoria Sports Complex. S2 took the lead in the 25th minute on a perfect counter-attack when Zach Mathers release Darwin Jones for a breakaway finish just inside the right post. The hosts responded four minutes later when Chris Cortez fired home a shot from 30 yards that dipped just under the crossbar, and then took the lead through Long Tan’s finish in the 36th minute off a cross by Brock Granger. Seattle hit back just before the break on a great chipped finish from Jordan Schweitzer, however, and then regained the lead 11 minutes into the second half on Jones’ second of the night. Both teams had chances to add to the score in the final half-hour as United pushed late for an equalizer, but S2 held on to take victory and jump past the hosts in the Western Conference standings.

Scoring:
25’ – SEA – Darwin Jones (Zach Mathers)
29’ – AZ – Chris Cortez
36’ – AZ – Long Tan (Brock Granger)
44’ – SEA – Jordan Schweitzer
56’ – SEA – Darwin Jones (Emir Alihodzic)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Darwin Jones had scored just once this season entering Saturday night’s game, but the composure with which he took his two goals – including the game-winner – showed the potential the 24-year-old was considered to have when he was signed as a Homegrown Player prior to last season. Finding a higher level of consistency is going to be the next step for Jones as he looks to help S2 make a big late-season run.

  • 2. After reaching the playoffs a season ago, this season has been a struggle for S2 as it turned over a large portion of its roster and got much younger as a result. With 11 games to go in its season, however, the side appears to have found a positive track with four wins in its last seven games, and could still have enough time to put in a kick for the playoffs. Seattle will need others to falter ahead of it, but with back-to-back victories under its belt, there’s a glint of opportunity now for Coach Ezra Hendrickson’s side.

  • 3. For a second time in three games, Arizona put in a disappointing display defensively which ended up wasting a pair of outstanding goals by Chris Cortez and Long Tan that had the side ahead after going behind midway through the first half. United is now winless in its past five games and has slid down the Western Conference as a result, and will need a quick turnaround as it faces Real Monarchs SLC on the road on Friday night looking to get back into the win column.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Darwin Jones, Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Jones scored his second and third goals of the season with great aplomb to give Seattle back-to-back victories for the second time this season.

Upcoming Games:

Arizona United SC at Real Monarchs SLC – July 22, 9 p.m. ET, Clyde Field

Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Portland Timbers 2 – July 24, 8 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium

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