Starfire Sports was full of people Friday night for the Sounders Women final home game of the season and the Sounders FC Cup. With a larger than average crowd the Sounders were ready to pull off a win for their home crowd. The game started off on the wrong note for the Sounders when the Heat scored 42 seconds into the game. The sun was just setting and they took advantage of that, chipping a ball in the air over Erin McNulty who was blinded by the sun. The unfortunate early goal silenced the crowd as many were in shock. The bad news continued for the Sounders when in the 9th minute McNulty couldn’t hold onto a ball that was ripped across the front of the net. The Heat forward found the rebound to put the ball in the back of the net. Being down 2-0 in the first ten minutes caused the Sounders to increase intensity and physicality. The game was aggressive between both teams with the Sounders being issued a yellow card in the 28th minute. In the stoppage time of the first half the Sounders continued to battle and were able to find the net just before the whistle blew. The game went to half with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Heat.
With renewed confidence after a late goal the Sounders came out fighting for another goal to tie the game. In the 52nd minute the Sounders were able to combine a few lovely passes, beat the Heat defense, and finish a lovely goal to tie of the game. In the 65th minute a Lyndsey Patterson of the Sounders was drug down in the box after receiving a cross from teammate Lindsey Elston, the crowd erupted feeling that the referees missed an opportunity to award the Sounders a penalty kick. A short time later the Sounders offense carried the ball forward and found Melissa Busque posted up in the goal mouth, with a lovely turn she was able to find space and fire a shot at the Heat keeper but while shooting she was fouled and awarded a PK this time. With the cheers of the crowd, Busque stayed calm and placed her PK beautifully in the side netting to take the lead for the Sounders. In the 75th minute McNulty had to pull the ball off her goal line as a Heat player tried to sneak it by her. This magnificent save kept the Sounders in the lead. Even with five minutes of stoppage time the Heat could not convert another goal and the Sounders would win the game 3-2. Some may say that this was the comeback of the century!
The Sounders will either finish first or second in their division and depending on where they finish will determine where they start their playoff season. The Sounders next game is July 14th in the Bay Area. Check out their website to watch a live stream of the game!
