2:1 New York Seattle Royer Wright-Phillips Shipp 06.13.18 · League

When Ethan Kutler was drafted a year ago in the second round, little was expected out of him. A slight forward out of Colgate, he was doomed for the minors. And to the minors he went, down to RBNY II, where he was converted to right back. Now, with injury problems and international call-ups at the big club, here was Kutler, making his first MLS start... and delivering two assists in a 2:1 win over Seattle. So much for expectations.

Tim Parker and Tyler Adams returned from international duty, replacing Hassan Ndam and the injured Vincent Bezecourt. Kutler's start came at the expense of Connor Lade.

Alex Muyl had three excellent chances to score in the first half, placing two unmarked headers off corner at Stefan Frei, and doing the same with a wide-open chance in the box after a defensive breakdown.

The opener came in the 37th, as Kutler sprung Florian Valot on the right side. The Frenchman sent a wonderful low cross into the box that Daniel Royer caught on the back post and slotted in.

Metro doubled the lead in the 52nd, off a corner kick that sailed over the box and ended with Kutler. The youngster whipped a cross that was redirected by -- who else -- Bradley Wright Phillips into the net.

Kutler almost had another assist when his pass into the box found Valot. The Frenchman had his shot saved by Frei, with the rebound falling directly to the his feet. Somehow, he missed the open net, shooting high.

Metro had other chances to put the game away, but Seattle made it interesting in the 87th, when, out of nowhere, Harry Ship one-timed from the top of the box, off the goalpost, and into the net. Perhaps we should say "somewhat" interesting, since the inept Sounder attack couldn't produce anything after that shot.

Back to Kutler: yet another in a long line of examples (Adams, Valot, Aaron Long, Vincent Bezecourt) of RBNY II players coming up to the big club and contributing. For all progress this club made over the years, perhaps creating a reserve team -- and taking it seriously -- belongs on top of the list...

Lineup: Robles, Lawrence, Long, Parker, Kutler, Adams, Davis, Valot, Muyl, Royer, Wright-Phillips. Subs: Lade, Rzatkowski, Etienne.