Fresh Sounders shut out Juventus Primavera 3-0

TUKWILA — Playing against the young, fresh legs of Juventus Primavera, the reserve team for Italian power Juventus, Seattle Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer fought fire with fire.

Schmetzer went deep into his roster to give his youngest players a chance against the Italian club that featured players ages 17-19.

Still, it was the experienced Sebastien Le Toux scoring two goals as the Sounders schooled Juventus Primavera 3-0 in Thursday's international friendly at Starfire Sports & Entertainment Complex in front of 2,058 fans.

Le Toux converted a penalty kick in the 22nd minute to give Seattle a 1-0 lead after Kenji Treschuk was tackled hard in the penalty area by Juventus' Ivan Mignano.

The Sounders' second goal came in the 28th minute after Andre Schmid, from a free kick, connected with Le Toux, who chipped over Juventus goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio from 15 yards out.

Veteran Craig Tomlinson volleyed in a long pass from Bishop Blanchet product Mike Morris in the 86th minute.

The Sounders improved to 5-2-5 while Juventus lost the first of three U.S. matches.

"The team did well and we took care of the game," said Nik Besagno, the Maple Valley native who played his first full game with the Sounders after being lent from Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake. "I'm still learning guys' names."

The injury-riddled Sounders put out a starting lineup that featured just two regular starters — Treschuk and Le Toux. The first group was filled with young players on tryout and four players making their first start with Seattle.

"I wanted to give some guys some rest," Schmetzer said. "These guys have been playing extremely long minutes and traveling."

"I think those kids are just young kids," Treschuk said of Juventus Primavera. "They grew up in a great soccer environment, and they're very good technically. They're just young."

Note

• Josh Coulson, who plays for Cambridge United in England, started for the Sounders. Coulson is one of three Cambridge players working out with Seattle. Sounders managing partner Adrian Hanauer is part owner of the English team.