Narrow Loss To Sounders Builds Hopes For Shadow
It wasn’t a win in the books, but it was definitely a boost to the Spokane Shadow soccer club’s confidence.
The Shadow opened its inaugural season Sunday with a 3-2 exhibition loss to the Seattle Sounders of the American Professional Soccer League in front of 3,126 fans at Central Valley High School.
“We knew the Sounders were rated by many professional coaches as the best team in America last year,” Spokane coach Einar Thorarinsson said. “But we’re very happy and this is a good start.”
Spokane, comprised of former and current college players and a handful of high school seniors, will play in the United States Interregional Soccer League when it opens its 12-game schedule May 6 in Seattle.
Seattle controlled Sunday’s game early, scoring after 7 minutes on a header by Chance Fry.
Fry scored again, on another header, at the 23-minute mark when David Hoggan lofted the ball into the Spokane penalty box.
Seattle recorded its final goal at 36:00 on Wade Webber’s header from Jason Dunn.
Spokane’s offense got on track in the second half, scoring two goals and narrowly missing other opportunities while shutting out the Sounders.
“It took us awhile to get used to their style of play, their tempo,” said Spokane defenseman Matt Kinder, who had many big first-half stops.
The Shadow struck at the 82-minute mark on Kevin Moon’s goal. Moon took a loose ball in front of the net and punched it in to make it 3-1.
One minute later, Dave Berto dribbled the ball up the field and blasted a shot by Seattle goalkeeper Dusty Hudock from 15 yards out.
The one goal loss can be considered a win for Spokane as many Sounder players have played professionally all over the world for many years.”This is a guaranteed success story in Spo kane,” Seattle head coach Alan Hinton said. “This is a class organization.”
xxxx Highlight Spokane dominated Seattle throughout the second half