A second half lead was not enough as D.C. United fell to Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 Saturday night at CenturyLink Field.
Darren Mattocks scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season, but two unanswered tallies from the Sounders were enough to secure the come from behind victory for Seattle.
The game opened with neither side breaking through the respective defenses, and while United threatened on the counter, it seemed as if the final pass needed to pry open the Seattle back line was just a bit short.
The Black-and-Red threatened in the 35th minute when United strung the ball through the Seattle defense that left Oniel Fisher darting down the flank. With his countryman breaking toward goal, Fisher sent in a cross that Mattocks met in the air. Despite the strong effort, Mattocks' header flew just past the far post.
Though the first half ended scoreless, that would not remain the case in the final half.
Mattocks finally put United on the board at the 53rd minute after cleaning up a rebound. After Zoltán Stieber sent the ball into the box, Paul Arriola headed the ball toward goal where Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a save. Frei couldn’t hold on to the ball, though, leaving a waiting Mattocks to deposit the rebound into the back of the net.
Mattocks’ goal was his team-leading sixth of the season, and is just one shy of his career-high of seven set in his rookie year in 2012.
It would not be enough, though, as Seattle answered back with two-straight goals from Nicolás Lodeiro and Magnus Wolff Eikrem.
The Black-and-Red will next head north of the border where United will face reigning MLS Cup Champions Toronto FC on Wednesday June 13th at 8 PM ET.
