That was certainly a better second half by the Sounders in terms of scoring and getting some useful work in as the preseason winds down. They scored a pair of goals and had several additional chances to cut further into a 4-2 deficit that ultimately became a final score in their loss to Atlanta United FC in this Carolina Challenge Cup match.
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer had wanted to avoid burning out his starters in a mid-week game, so he played mostly subs, trialists and academy players in the first half against an Atlanta club that threw a regular season lineup out there.