Sounders Insider

Mandaray, Alfaro score in S2 draw

Fans show supporter at early season S2 match in Tukwila.
Fans show supporter at early season S2 match in Tukwila. Staff writer

Here’s a game report from the club:

Victor Mansaray and Tony Alfaro each scored their first goal of the season as Seattle Sounders FC 2 recorded a 2-2 draw against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Tuesday evening at Starfire Stadium, earning its first point of the 2016 campaign. Mansaray's goal opened the scoring in the 20th minute, while Alfaro's header served as the equalizer in the 84th minute after RGV FC tallied two unanswered goals to open the second half. The Rave Green (0-3-1, 1 point) conclude their five-match homestand on Sunday, April 17 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (5:00 p.m. / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com)

In the 20th minute, S2 recorded its first goal of the 2016 USL campaign. On a quick counterattack, midfielder Zach Mathers sent a through-ball into open space, where a streaking Mansaray drifted into the RGV FC area. Dribbling to his left, Mansaray sent a left-footed low strike into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

While Seattle went into halftime with the 1-0 lead, it didn't take long for RGV FC to erase the deficit in the subsequent period. In the 50th minute, RGV FC defender George Malki followed up on a deflection to skirt the ball past Seattle goalkeeper Charlie Lyon. Just three minutes later, RGV FC crowded Seattle's area in front of Lyon, and Toros midfielder Emilio Garcia won the aerial challenge, knocking in the go-ahead goal from close range.

In the 84th minute, Seattle tied the match at 2-2. After Mark O'Ojong was fouled to the right of the Toros area, Oniel Fisher's ensuing free-kick found Alfaro behind RGV FC's backline for the equalizer.

S2 wraps up the five-match homestand on Sunday, April 17 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (5:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com). S2 Flex Plans are available now, eight tickets for $100 of any combination or match. For complete information on the S2 Flex Plan, season tickets, group tickets or single-match options, visit www.SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 | 2-2| Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Venue: Starfire Stadium

Referee: Farhad Dadkho

Assistants: Kelsey Harms, Christian Clerc

Fourth Official: Charles Spaniola

Weather: 47 degrees and rainy

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA - Victor Mansaray (Zach Mathers) 20'

RGV FC - George Malki 50'

RGV FC - Emilio Garcia 53'

SEA - Tony Alfaro (Oniel Fisher) 84'

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SEA - Mark O'Ojong (caution) 33'

SEA - Nathan Sturgis (caution) 45'

RGV FC - George Malki (caution) 60'

SEA - Michael Farfan (caution) 75'

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Charlie Lyon; Oniel Fisher, Tobi Jnohope, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou Tolo; Nathan Sturgis (Michael Farfan 62'), Mark O'Ojong, Zach Mathers (Lorenzo Ramos 81'), Andy Craven, Victor Mansaray (Emir Alihodzic 71'), Handwalla Bwana (Oalex Anderson 62')

Substitutes not used: Matt Bersano, Michael Nelson, Nick Hinds

Total shots: 16

Shots on goal: 7

Fouls: 16

Offside: 3

Corner-kicks: 5

Saves: 2

Rio Grande Valley FC - Devin Perales; Kevin Garcia, George Malki, Sebastien Ibeagha, Bradley Bourgeois (Kai Greene 58'); Emilio Garcia (Juan Carlos Flores 83'), Charlie Ward, Collen Warner (Jorginho James 70'); Jose "Memo" Rodriguez (Roger "TJ" Casner 71'); Dzenan Catic; Jose Escalante (Christian Lucatero 87')

Substitutes not used: Arturo Sanchez, Leo Ayala

Total shots: 12

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 20

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 3

Saves: 5

And here’s a release from earlier Tuesday on a new S2 signing:

Sounders FC 2 today announced that it has signed Cameroonian defender Nouhou Tolo (pronounced "new-hoo"). He is eligible to compete immediately, including tonight's contest against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT at Starfire Stadium. Per USL and club policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"We are very excited Tolo has agreed to join our club," Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson said. "Our backline has seen a lot of rotation to begin the season, and we hope Tolo can prove himself as a steady presence for us."

Tolo, 18, joins S2 after competing for Cameroon's Rainbow FC. He also has experience with Cameroonian sides Botafogo FC and Daga Young Stars.

S2 Flex Plans are available now, eight tickets for $100 of any combination or match. For complete information on the S2 Flex Plan, season tickets, group tickets or single-match options, visit www.SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC 2 signs defender Nouhou Tolo on April 12, 2016.

Name: Nouhou Tolo

Pronunciation: new-hoo

Position: Defender

Height: 5-10

Weight: 175

Born: June 23, 1997 in Douala, Cameroon

Hometown: Douala, Cameroon

Citizenship: Cameroon

Acquired: Signed to S2 roster on April 12, 2016

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Mandaray, Alfaro score in S2 draw."

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