TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 was knocking on the door all game and the host side finally broke through as Mark O’Ojong tallied in the 88th minute for a 1-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday at Starfire Stadium. Seattle has now rattled off three consecutive victories. With the win, Seattle improves to 6-9-5 (23 points) overall and 4-5-3 at home. Portland’s struggles continue as the club is now winless in seven straight matches (0-5-2). T2 moves to 5-11-3 (18 points) overall and 1-6-1 on the road. Portland was shut out for the sixth time this season as T2 has the lowest offensive production in the Western Conference with just 17 goals in 19 matches. This was the third of four meetings between the two sides. Each team has posted a victory heading into this match. The regular-season series wraps up on Aug. 29 at Starfire Stadium.

Scoring:
88’ – SEA – Mark O’Ojong (Darwin Jones)

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. In the closing minutes, S2’s persistence paid off as the host side found the necessary goal down the stretch. Darwin Jones, who himself could have had multiple tallies, played the role of provider with a cross to Mark O’Ojong on the left side of the box. O’Ojong cut the ball to his right foot and fired a shot that partially deflected off of Portland’s Trevor Morley and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. It was O’O’jong’s second goal of the season and Jones’ first assist.

• 2. Seattle was the clear-cut attacking force during Sunday’s match. S2 created a bevy of chances in the first half, including seven corner kicks during the opening 45 minutes. Then in the second half, Seattle forced a bunch of saves from T2 goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. Jones particularly had multiple opportunities, but McIntosh was up to the task on every occasion against him.

• 3. Portland was quiet on the offensive end as T2 rarely threatened Seattle goalkeeper Charlie Lyon. Even when T2 did get into the final third, the road side didn’t get much on frame. One of the better Portland buildups was during the 22nd minute with some nice change of attack from right to left. Taylor Peay controlled the ball from the right side, crossed to Kharlton Belmar who then sought out Blake Bodily on the left. Bodily got his left foot on the ball but could not quite put it on frame as he was off balance while trying to shield off a defender.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Mark O'Ojong, Seattle Sounders FC 2 - The midfielder tallied the lone goal in the waning moments of the match as S2 now enjoys a season-high three-game winning streak.

Upcoming Games:
Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Real Monarchs SLC – Aug. 1, 10:30 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium
Portland Timbers 2 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Aug. 3, 10:30 p.m. ET, Merlo Field