Missed chances came back to haunt Energy FC on Sunday afternoon in Tacoma, after a David Estrada brace in the final ten minutes secured an unlikely comeback win for Seattle Sounders FC 2.

Sunday’s loss might be the toughest to take this season. Not only were the Greens minutes away from a massive victory, but they dominated the match and played better than they have at any point in 2018 – barring two minutes of madness. 16 shots and 8 on target is a marked improvement over most of the performances this season, but more clinical finishing will be needed if OKC wants to move up the Western Conference standings.

Energy FC could have been ahead by three goals when Estrada turned the match on its head. Christian Volesky had two wonderful opportunities to open the scoring in the first half. The striker was unlucky not to score in the 13th minute, however. Callum Ross, Alex Dixon and Volesky combined to leave S2 goalkeeper Calle Brown stranded and a seemingly open net for Volesky. Seattle defender Sakari Carter recovered and was able to block the shot off the line to keep the match scoreless.

In the 32nd minute, the Greens carved open the Seattle defense again, as Alex Dixon found Miguel Gonzalez near the top of the box. Gonzalez backheeled the ball to Jose Barril, and Barril found Volesky all alone in the box. The striker opted to take a touch instead of hitting it first time, and his heavy touch allowed Brown to come out and smother the ball.

Volesky had another good opportunity nine minutes after the second half restart, when a Richard Dixon cross deflected right to him. The ball was a little behind the striker, so he had to take a touch, which allowed Brown enough time to get off his line, close down the space and prevent the goal.

Energy FC finally made the breakthrough in the 76th minute after Callum Ross played an inch-perfect ball over the top of the Seattle backline. The pass found Alex Dixon, who took one touch before stabbing the ball through Brown’s legs and into the back of the net.

While the touch and finish by Dixon were great, the ball by Ross, who seems to be getting better each week, was truly spectacular. Before receiving a square pass 40 yards from goal, the midfielder had a quick look up, and then played a first-time, diagonal ball right over the top of the defense that found Dixon in stride.

One of the most common soccer clichés is that a team is most vulnerable after they’ve just scored. After grinding for so long and finally getting a goal, teams will sometimes let up, thinking they’ve done enough to win the match and a lapse in concentration will occur. That seems to be what happened Sunday afternoon.

S2, who’d hardly threatened at all throughout the match and ended the day with only three shots on target, scored a goal out of practically nothing seven minutes from the end of regulation. A hopeful long ball hoofed forward by Brown was glanced on to David Estrada. Christian Ibeagha attempted a tackle, but Estrada cleverly flicked the ball over the defender and smashed a volley past Matt VanOekel. That’s the third goal in as many matches that was the result of “route one football” – playing a long pass straight up the pitch and hoping something happens.

Seattle, now surging, came right back down and took the lead just two minutes later. Nick Hinds was able to get by Richard Dixon to the end line, cut the ball back, and a deflection took the ball directly into the path of a wide open Estrada. The striker made no mistake and smashed the ball into the back of the net with his first touch to win the match.

Head Coach Steve Cooke went with a 4-1-4-1 formation again but made a few personnel changes. New signing Drew Beckie made his debut in place of Coady Andrews, and Miguel Gonzalez and Jose Barril replaced Jaime Siaj and Philip Rasmussen. Beckie was solid in the back despite picking up an early booking, and Gonzalez and Barril combined well and created several chances before being replaced by Francis Atuahene and Kalif Alhassan in the second half. It was good to see Atuahene fit again after suffering an injury shortly after the home opener. He and Alhassan looked to stretch out the Seattle defense every time OKC had possession, and the two will hopefully continue to get sharper as they get more minutes and gain fitness.

In addition to not picking up any points, the loss was another missed opportunity to move up the table and close the gap on the chasing pack, as Rio Grande Valley FC were defeated by Portland Timbers 2, LA Galaxy II lost to Orange County SC, Fresno FC drew with Reno 1868 FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC were beaten by the Swope Park Rangers. Energy FC remain at 7 points and 16th place in the Western Conference – now 13 points off a playoff spot.

Watch this space for a preview of Matchweek 14, as the Greens go to Portland to take on Timbers 2 on Wednesday, and then come back home to face Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday.