Sounders draw Battery 1-1 in pre-season tournament

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Seattle Sounders FC kicked-off its run in the Carolina Challenge Cup with a 1-1 result on Saturday evening in South Carolina, as Brian Schmetzer’s side drew with the Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium. After facing off against the tournament’s host side, the Rave Green return to training ahead of their second match in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday, February 22 against MLS expansion club Atlanta United FC (4:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).

(Cover photo: Zach Blend)

Joevin Jones served a slicing ball from the left flank in the 31st minute that made its way into Charleston’s area, deflecting off Battery defender Taylor Mueller and into the home side’s goal. Seattle took this 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime intermission, before making several changes to its starting lineup in the 60th minute of play. For the third-consecutive preseason contest, Clint Dempsey logged significant minutes in his return to the Sounders FC lineup, this time playing two-thirds of the match before departing amongst the first wave of second-half substitutes.

Jones continued his strong form in the second half, playing provider once again, this time to Alvaro Fernandez. The Trinidadian squared a left-sided ball to Fernandez inside Charleston’s area, with the Uruguayan’s far-post shot careening off the woodwork, barely missing the mark as Seattle’s second potential goal.

Henry Wingo looked to have recorded his first professional goal in the 75th minute of play by initiating a fluid give-and-go with new signing Will Bruin. After the Homegrown Player received a back-heel pass from Bruin, the University of Washington product slotted a shot calmly at Charleston’s far post, only for Bruin’s initial run to be ruled offside by referee Ted Unkel.

Seattle held its 1-0 lead in the final moments of the match, with Charleston finally finding the net in the second minute of stoppage time. After an initial Battery shot hit the crossbar, the ensuing scramble in the area was finished by Kotaro Higashi, earning a draw for the host side.

The 2017 Sounders FC preseason presented by adidas continues in the Carolina Challenge Cup, with two remaining contests against Atlanta United (February 22) and Columbus Crew SC (February 25). Sounders FC’s ninth MLS campaign begins on Saturday, March 4 against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. 2017 Season Ticket Memberships are still available by calling 877-MLS-GOAL or emailing Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Charleston Battery 1
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Weather: 58 degrees and clear
Referee: Ted Unkel

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Taylor Mueller (own goal) 31′
CHS – Kotaro Higashi 90’+2′

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA – Jordy Delem (caution) 36′
SEA – Joevin Jones (caution) 40′
CHS – Vazquez (caution) 78′

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – TylerMiller;DarriusBarnes (BrianNana-Sinkam 61′), ChadMarshall (JackMorris 75′), RomànTorres (TonyAlfaro 75′), JoevinJones (SamRogers 75′); JordyDelem (HenryWingo 61′), CristianRoldan, NicoLodeiro – captain, ClintDempsey (ZachMathers 61′), AlvaroFernandez (SeyiAdekoya 75′); JordanMorris (WillBruin 61′)

Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 3
Corner-kicks: 2
Offside: 0
Saves: 3

Charleston Battery First Half Lineup – Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Forrest Lasso, Obrian Woodbine, Maikel Chang, Atualla Guerra, Justin Dante Portillo, Marini, Ricardo Garbanzo, Heviel Cordoves

Charleston Battery Second Half Lineup – Alexander Tambakis, Thomas (Akeem Thomas 61′), Taylor Mueller, Wheeler, Mikey Ambrose, Maikel Chang, Dante Marini (Robbie Robinson 61′), Christopher Goslin, Anunga, Jonathan Okafor (Kotaro Higashi 75′), Vazquez

Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 4
Corner-kicks: 6
Offside: 0
Saves: 3