A Tail of Two Matches

Sounders defeat Mariners 1-0 in 90^th Minute

6/22/06- Robert Berwick, uslfans.com match reporter

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA- Fans were treated to

two matches on Thursday night at the Sportsplex.

In the first half (game), the play was sloppy and

filled with fouls.  Neither team had many scoring

chances.  Seattle committed 16 fouls to Virginia

Beach’s 4 in the first half.  The official issued the

first of 4 yellow cards in the 5^th minute.  The

Mariners picked up the pace in the closing minutes

of the first half just missing the net on two shots.

A quiet and sloppy half came to a close with the

shots favoring Virginia Beach 8-2.  End match one.

Begin match two.  Both teams came out firing as

the pace of the match increased.  The Sounders

cleaned up their play, committing only one foul in

the second half.  The approximately 3,000 fans were

treated to back and fourth action in what seemed like a different match.  Seattle increased the scoring opportunities and Virginia Beach’s frustration grew as they were given three yellow cards in the second half.  The Mariners’ hopes of leaping a head late in the game were crushed by the sound of metal as a header in the box clanked off the crossbar.  With time winding down, the match seemed to be heading for another tie for the Mariners.  A 89^th minute substitution by the Sounders proved to pay off.  The Sounders’ Santa Maria Rivera provided a cross into the box which bounced around until Cam Weaver punched in the game winning goal in the 90^th minute.  The Mariners were given four minutes of stoppage time and came close to scoring on two chances.  The Seattle defense remained tough and walked away with the 1-0 victory.

 

 

---Box Score---

 

Virginia Beach Mariners vs Seattle Sounders

Virginia Beach Sportsplex 6/22/06

 

Game Time: 7:35 pm

 

Score: