The Tacoma Tide looked like they were going to take the Tacoma-Seattle bragging rights for 2009 with a 2-1 win after drawing 0-0 in their earlier meeting in Seattle. The Tide win was aided by a red card that left them a man up for the 2nd 45 minutes of the match on their home turf. Tacoma out shot the Wolves 10-5, and led in corners with a 7-4 margin. The Tide even netted two very nice goals by Tim Grey and Rory Agu. All this, along with good possession of the ball, and a lead in the 89th minute of play, and yet the Tide walked off the pitch with a draw.
The Tacoma Tide looked like they were going to take the Tacoma-Seattle bragging rights for 2009 with a 2-1 win after drawing 0-0 in their earlier meeting in Seattle. The Tide win was aided by a red card that left them a man up for the 2nd 45 minutes of the match on their home turf. Tacoma out shot the Wolves 10-5, and led in corners with a 7-4 margin. The Tide even netted two very nice goals by Tim Grey and Rory Agu. All this, along with good possession of the ball, and a lead in the 89th minute of play, and yet the Tide walked off the pitch with a draw.
The Tide home streak of games without a loss finally came to an end just shy of 20 matches when the Yellows last played at CurtisHigh School against the Portland Timbers U-23. Looking to regain their invincibility on the home turf, the Tide came out strong against Seattle. Rory Agu was buzzing from the opening kick, putting relentless pressure on the Seattle defense. Agu nearly found an early goal by stealing the ball near the box and turning it into an opportunity to score. The Tide's All-Time leading goal scorer picked the pocket of Wolves' defenders multiple times in the first half. The 1st half was a back and forth pendulum that saw chances created for both squads, but clean sheets for each keeper until a half hour had ticked away. On 33 minutes, the Tide found the breakthrough from a set piece. Set corners and long throws undid the Tide in Portland as they conceded multiple set piece goals, but back at home they benefited. Leighton O'Brien sent in an accurate corner that Tim Grey's head was first to connect with. The Tide led the match, but would not hold that lead for long. Less than two minutes later, the Tide allowed a ball over the top of their defense. It looked harmful when Casey Cunningham made a poor touch off the turf, but the Seattle forward regained his touch and easily worked an angle for a shot passed three recovering defenders and scored on Jordan Jennings' net.
The pivotal moment in the half was the Seattle Wolves red card that came right at the stroke of half time. A through ball was chipped out in front of Rory Agu and Seattle Defender, former Tide defender, Daniel Scott. With a foot race ahead of the two players, it seemed clear that Agu was going to be first on the ball, so Scott dragged him down from behind. The foul was not malicious, but Scott was the last defender and stopped a clear scoring chance; he was sent off.
With a man advantage and a renewed sense of momentum in front of a nice Curtis HS Stadium crowd, the Tide were confident as they began the 2nd half. This confidence was worked into a goal in the 61st minute. A creative build up saw a diagonal ball chipped to the left corner of the penalty box. Center, defensive midfielder, Nick Besagno, found himself in the attack and nodded a header across to the on rushing Rory Agu who tucked the ball into the corner of the goal with his own forehead. A wonderful team goal, that looked like the game winner.
With the Tide playing well, and the Wolves down a man and tiring, it seemed that the only way that 2-1 advantage would change would be to add another tally for the home team. The Tide created multiple opportunities on goal, but could not find the focus and touch to finish off the Wolves. It would come back to haunt them.
In the 90th minute of the match, the Wolves earned a long throw in near their bench. The throw was knocked down near the penalty spot. In the middle of a number of players from both sides, a small collision of players occurred and the Wolves had a lifeline. Referee, Soo-Hui Um awarded a penalty kick. It would have been a harsh foul call on any point of the pitch, but it was especially frustrating for the Tide and their fans to see called in the penalty box; in the 90th minute. Credit the Wolves' resolve for creating the chance and opportunity for the penalty kick, as well as finishing it. Alex Chursky stepped up and deceived Jennings to put it into the opposite corner of the keepers' dive.
The match ended with an earful from Tide players, coaches, and fans toward the head official, but the result was final; 2-2. The point gives the Tide 10 points and a 2-4-4 record. The Wolves result gives them 23 points on a 7-2-2 record. Bragging rights in the I-5 Rivalry will have to wait until 2010.
