Sounders U-23's clinch first place with Sunday victory, take 2013 Open Cup spot

Tacoma, WA – After a massive victory on Friday night against the Kitsap Pumas to put the Sounders U-23 in 1st place in the Northwest Division, they let their guard down on Sunday. Despite their lack of sharpness, the Sounders U23 were still able to earn three points. The Sounders scored 25 seconds into the 2nd half and were able to hold on to a 1-0 win.

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UPDATE: Portland Timbers U-23′s 0:1 Kitsap Pumas (Final) The Sounders U-23′s are thus the 2012 PDL NW Division Champions! The playoff match-ups are set. Sounders U-23′s will host Washington Crossfire and Kitsap and Portland will play. If the Timbers win on Wednesday at Crossfire they will host the Pumas. If they lose or draw then Kitsap will finish in second place and host Portland…more to come…

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The Sounders U-23 dominated the first 25 minutes of the afternoon, with the ball spending 80% of the play in the Sounders attacking half. The Sounders out-shot the Mariners 6-0 during that time, but the scored remained 0-0.

The best chance in the first half came in the 37th minute. A chipped ball over the top of the Fraser Valley defense released Darwin Jones. The fast forward found Aodhan Quinn trailing behind 15 yards from goal. Quinn went one on one with a defender in tight quarters and found enough space to release a low shot. The Mariners’ goalkeeper, Mark Village, made a kick save to hold the deadlock.

Match Photos from Sounders U-23 Facebook Page

After a frustrating 1st half, the Sounders took only 25 seconds to score in the 2nd half. A long cross to the back post found the head of Mauricio De Leon. The Sounders’ wing headed the ball back on frame and hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Darwin Jones, who smashed the ball off the hands of Village and into the goal.

Darwin Jones scored the lone goal as the Sounders U-23′s edged winless Fraser Valley 1:0 on Sunday at Franklin Pierce Stadium. (Chris Coulter / SoundersU23.com)

The Sounders nearly added to the lead a minute later when Sean Morris timed a run to pick up a pass behind the Fraser Valley defense. The bouncing pass sat up for Morris to smash a volley, but Village made the save.

As substitutes were brought on in the last 15 minutes, the Sounders’ chances picked back up. Esteban Potenciano, Tyson Crim, and Facundo Dipascuale combined to set up a shot from the edge of the six yard box. Crim crossed low to Dipascuale, and the Argentina native had his point blank shot saved. The resulting corner kick nearly resulted in a goal. With the penalty box full of players, a low shot was sent to the back post, but was cleared off the line by a Canadian defender.

The Sounders had a late scare from a Fraser Valley free kick near half-field. The long diagonal pass floated all the way to the goal line where Sounders keeper, Doug Herrick, was waiting. With the sun in his eyes and a wind shifting the route of the ball, Herrick was only able to knock the ball down on his first attempt. The keeper’s reaction was quick though, and he scooped it up on his second attempt.

In addition to the playoff scenario, the win ensures that the Sounders U-23 will represent the NW Division in the 2013 Lamar Hunt – United States Open Cup. The club’s appearance in the US Open Cup will be the first in its history, dating back to 2006.

The final match of the regular season is on Wednesday at 7:30 pm against North Sound. For tickets to Wednesday’s match visit SoundersU23.com. For live updates from the match follow us on twitter @SoundersU23.

Report from SoundersU23.com

U23′s celebrate Jones’ goal. (Chris Coulter / SoundersU23.com)

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