Schmid sees reasons for S2’s 0-3 record

Sounders 2 fell to 0-3 on the new USL season Sunday with a 3-0 loss to San Antonio FC at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila.

S2 is still looking for its first goal of the season. Guys with first-team background such as Andy Craven, Oniel Fisher, Victor Mansaray, Nathan Sturgis and Tyler Miller started for the home side.

Former Sounders goalkeeper Josh Ford was in goal for the visitors.

Here’s some of what Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid had to say about the S2 season so far:

“I think it’s been very difficult for (S2 coach Ezra Hendrickson) because of the fact, A, that they played three non-MLS USL teams. San Antonio, I think there were six or seven MLS players in their lineup, and not just a cup of coffee in the league, but guys who have played 30, 40, 50 games in the league. From that standpoint it’s a much more veteran team. Sacramento’s the same way. Arizona is the same. They’re trying to build a big franchise, so their budgets for their teams are significantly bigger than ours. And we’ve made a commitment to playing young players, and so you’re looking at an academy kid misjudging a ball, you’re looking at the week before an academy kid losing a guy on a header. Those things happen. Also for his team, Jordan Schweitzer is an important player for that team, and he’s been out injured. So getting him back is going to help. There’s a couple of signings: Myron (Samuel) hasn’t been around except for that game, and he’s banged up a little bit. Probably if things were going differently he might not have played in that particular game. So I think once all those guys factor back into the numbers and you get them only to the field. ... All of a sudden you look around, there’s probably three or four starters who haven’t been able to play yet, and they’ve played a lot of veteran teams.”

Here’s a game report from the club:

San Antonio FC's blistering start in its inaugural USL match led the visiting side to 3-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Sunday evening at Starfire Stadium. San Antonio's Jason Johnson recorded a brace in the first nine minutes of the match, as Sounders FC couldn't overcome the early deficit to fall to 0-3-0 in the 2016 league campaign. The Rave Green continue their five-match homestand with a contest against Rio Grande Valley FC on Tuesday, April 12 (7:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com).

Johnson tallied two scores in the first nine minutes on Sunday evening to establish the early lead. In the third minute, Johnson, a forward who has appeared in 41 MLS matches for Chicago and Houston, broke through Seattle's backline for a one-on-one matchup with Tyler Miller, who made his first USL start of the season. Johnson placed the ball past Miller and into the bottom right corner of the net to begin the scoring.

Minutes later, Johnson retrieved a long ball for another one-on-one matchup with Miller. Johnson took advantage and extended San Antonio's lead to 2-0 in the ninth minute.

After the early scoring from the opposition, Sounders FC slowed the tempo and began to establish possession. Midfielder Zach Mathers had a scoring chance from outside San Antonio's area and forward Andy Craven nearly capitalized on a build-up from Seattle's own half, but both attempts were stopped by former Sounders FC goalkeeper Josh Ford.

In the 79^th minute, Ferjiro Okiomah recorded a goal after finishing off a loose ball in the area. The tally capped the night's scoring, sending San Antonio FC to the 3-0 result.

S2 continues its homestand on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. PT. S2 season ticket packages are available now, starting as low as at $9 per match via the following link: http://sndrs.com/aju4. For complete information on S2 tickets, including single-match options, group tickets and the S2 Flex Plan, visit SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 0 - San Antonio FC 3

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Venue: Starfire Stadium

Referee: Chipalo Street

Assistants: Logan Griffis, Connor Hazelwood

Fourth Official: Manuel Soledad

Weather: 68 degrees and mostly cloudy

SCORING SUMMARY

SAFC - Johnson 3'

SAFC - Johnson 9'

SAFC - Okiomah 79'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA - O'Ojong 35'

SAFC - Chin 79'

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Tyler Miller; Oniel Fisher, Tobi Jnohope (Harrison Kurtz 77'), Tony Alfaro, Nick Hinds (Handwalla Bwana 60'); Mark O'Ojong (Devon Fisher HT), Nathan Sturgis, Zach Mathers; Andy Craven, Victor Mansaray (Lorenzo Ramos HT), Myron Samuel (Emir Alihodzic 70')

Substitutes not used: Charlie Lyon, Henry Baldwin

Total shots: 11

Shots on goal: 5

Corner-kicks: 7

Fouls: 14

Saves: 5

San Antonio FC - Josh Ford; Milton Palacios (Sebba Thuriere 90'), Bobby Moseley (Ferjiro Okiomah 77'), Sam McBride, Stephen McCarthy; Rafa Castillo, Michael Reed, Carlos Alvarez (Danny Garcia 66'); Manolo Sanchez (Shawn Chin 57'), Greg Cochrane, Jason Johnson

Substitutes not used: Matt Cardone, Miguel Salazar, Victor Araujo

Total shots: 12

Shots on goal: 8

Corner-kicks: 2

Fouls: 9

Saves: 5

This story was originally published April 3, 2016 at 8:32 PM with the headline "Schmid sees reasons for S2’s 0-3 record."