PDL Game Report
Friday, June 6, 2014
TUKWILA, Wash. – The Sounders FC U-23 defeated the Washington Crossfire FC 2-1 on Friday night at Starfire Sports Complex. Sounders goals by Moh Dumbuya in the first half and Luis Esteves in the second half were enough to earn the Sounders U-23 the three points and their third consecutive victory.
The match went up and down the pitch as both sides played with intensity, but the Sounders U-23 attackers were able to take advantage of a lopsided shooting margin of 26-11.
The Crossfire found the opening goal in the 17th minute, however, despite being under constant pressure from the Sounders U-23 forwards. After Dumbuya forced a sprawling kick save from Washington goalkeeper Mike Arguello, the Crossfire mounted a quick-counter attack to send the ball downfield and into the Sounders' penalty area. Sounders keeper, Jefferson Caldwell, raced off of his line to challenge for the ball but was called for a foul as he collided with the Crossfire attacker and the referee pointed to the spot. Crossfire forward, Cristian Roldan, stepped to the ball and sent it past Caldwell for the 1-0 lead.
The Sounders U-23 wasted little time leveling the score as just six minutes later they found an equalizer. Sounders forward, Nikolaj Hansen, dispossessed the Crossfire defense as they tried to play out of the back. Hansen took one look up and slotted a pass through to Dumbuya, who had been threatening for most of the early stages. Dumbuya ran on to Hansen's ball which had led him behind the Washington defenders, then he calmly beat Arguello to even the match at 1-1.
The play up top for the Sounders U-23 continued to be red hot as Dumbuya and Hansen nearly hooked up for a second goal. Hansen had gotten in behind the Crossfire defense and at full speed hit a shot past Arguello with the outside of his foot. The crowd began to cheer as it looked like the ball was headed for side netting but it skipped just past the post and out for a goal kick. The Sounders U-23 and Crossfire headed into their halftime locker rooms level at 1-1.
The Crossfire opened the second half on the attack as they won two corner kicks from the Sounders U-23 -- their only two of the match -- within the first five minutes. However, shortly after the Sounders settled into the half, maintained possession, and created several chances to take the lead. In the 60th minute, Sounders U-23 midfielder, Chris Wehan, broke free in the box with only the goalkeeper to beat. He opted to take his shot with power but sent it right at Argeullo, who was able to punch the ball away.
Then in the 78th minute the Sounders U-23 found the game-winner. Sounders U-23 second half substitute, Michael Gallagher, raced up the right side, looked up and sent a dangerous curling ball into the Crossfire penalty area toward two Sounders attackers. Hansen was first to the ball but elected to shield his defender and let it go by. The ball took another hop and fell for Esteves, who redirected the ball first-time as he ran toward goal, and sent it off the left post and into the net for the 2-1 victory.
The Sounders U-23 will be back on the pitch on Friday, June 13th, for a road match-up with the Kitsap Pumas at Gordon Park Field in Bremerton. Then on Sunday, June 15th, the Sounders U-23 will host the Portland Timbers U-23 at 2 p.m. in the annual Tumwater matchup at Tumwater District Stadium. For tickets and more information, visit SoundersU23.com, and follow us on Twitter: @SoundersU23.