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Seattle Stuns Energy FC with Comeback

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/10/18, 6:36PM EDT

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Estrada scores twice in closing stages as S2 takes 2-1 victory


Photo courtesy Charis Wilson / Seattle Sounders FC 2

TACOMA, Wash. – David Estrada scored twice in the final seven minutes as Seattle Sounders FC 2 rallied for a 2-1 victory against OKC Energy FC on Sunday afternoon at Cheney Stadium to break a five-game winless streak. The teams exchanged chances early as a header by S2’s Denso Ulysse and a low shot by OKC’s Callum Ross were both comfortably handled, but the first big opportunity arrived for Energy FC in the 32nd minute as a sharp through-ball by Jose Barril set up Christian Volesky, but S2 goalkeeper Calle Brown got off his line quickly to smother. OKC almost carved out other chances as a low cross by Miguel Gonzalez was cleared by S2 defender Sakari Carter from inside his six-yard area late in the first half, while early in the second half a cross by Richard Dixon deflected to Volesky, only for Brown to again make the save. OKC then had a chance from a free kick in the 57th minute that Brown parried away near the left post after Gonzalez curled a shot from 20 yards around the defensive wall, but with 14 minutes to go the visitors finally made one of their chances count as a good angled ball by Ross released Alex Dixon into the left side of the penalty area and his low finish snuck past Brown and into the net. Seattle his back six minutes later, however, as a flicked header by Rudy Stretch released Estrada, who flicked the ball past his marker and then hit a tremendous finish that looped over OKC goalkeeper Matt van Oekel. Two minutes later, S2 took the lead as a low cross from the left caromed through to Estrada at the back post for a roofed finish to leave OKC stunned. S2 needed to defend well to preserve its lead late, and Khai Brisco made a key interception on a low cross by Francis Atuahene in the 89th minute, but the hosts held on to claim a remarkable victory.

Scoring:
76’ – OKC – Alex Dixon (Callum Ross)
83’ – SEA – David Estrada (Rudy Stretch)
85’ – SEA – David Estrada

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Seattle had recorded only four shots total in the opening 80 minutes after being put under the cosh by its visitors for most of the game, but then managed a dramatic turnaround that ended its five-game winless streak as it claimed its third win of the regular season. After Energy’s pressure throughout the contest could have seen the hosts wilt after they went behind, Head Coach John Hutchinson will be very pleased with the redoubled efforts that produced a win out of nowhere for his side.

  • 2. Energy FC carried most of the game for the opening 75 minutes and could have taken then lead on a pair of chances that fell to Christian Volesky that were both sharply denied by S2 goalkeeper Calle Brown, but when Alex Dixon put the visitors ahead with 14 minutes to go it certainly felt like there were three points in the offing. Instead, the game turned the way so many have this season for OKC, which remains in the bottom two of the Western Conference after another disappointing letdown.

  • 3. David Estrada has done it before this season, but his veteran experience once again proved crucial for the young S2 side as he was the man in the right place at the right time to bag both goals for the hosts. The former Sounders striker is now a player the club is hoping its young standout can learn alongside while competing for S2, and on Sunday afternoon he offered up a masterclass in positioning, finding the pockets of space and clinically finishing his chances to give Seattle a thrilling victory.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

David Estrada, Seattle Sounders FC 2 – The veteran led a remarkable comeback from the hosts with both goals in the final 10 minutes as S2 claimed a dramatic victory.

Upcoming Games:

Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Las Vegas Lights FC – June 16, 11 p.m. ET, Cashman Field

OKC Energy FC at Portland Timbers 2 – June 13, 10 p.m. ET, Providence Park

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