By Sen Nguyen
On Friday, Seattle Sounders FC paid a visit to their fiercest rivals in the name of Portland Timbers. Despite grabbing an early goal, the Sounders could not hold out against the Timbers as the hosts eventually completed their 2-1 comeback.
Beyond climbing above, the Sounders themselves moved into the playoff zone of the Western Conference. The Timbers also claimed the Cascadia Cup, a three-way competition created by the supporters of the Timbers, Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Timbers defeated the Sounders, who had previously won the Cascadia Cup three times, by winning it in 2022. (except for the 2020 edition cancelled due to the pandemic).
The Timbers are the first to end a tie after a 3-0 victory on the road in early July. In the history of Major League Soccer, this was the first time either Portland or Seattle has swept the other. What’s more, the Sounders have suffered the first home regular-season defeat to the Timbers since 1981.
A flying start for the Sounders but a late recovery by the Timbers
The Sounders got the game started despite the crowd being heavily in favour of the host team. In the eighth minute, from a right-sided corner, Nico Lodeiro knocked the ball short to Alex Roldan, who took a robust first touch to break clear of Sebastian Blanco. From the right, an out-swinging cross came towards the far post for Yeimar Gomez to score a towering header as Aljaz Ivacic stood rooted.
Over five minutes later, Bill Tuiloma curled in a free kick from around 25 yards to test Stefan Frei, who stretched his body to the fullest to save. Then, at the 34th minute, the Timbers had another chance when Dairon Asprilla headed a cross back to Yimmi Chara, but the subsequent header at goal was right into Frei’s hands.
Approaching the final five minutes, Eryk Williamson drove toward the penalty box and collided with Yeimar, prompting the referee to point towards the penalty spot. Asprilla stepped up and slotted the penalty home in the bottom left corner, making it 1-1.
The first half ended with a goal and a couple of yellow cards allocated to each team.
Quick goal off the restart to seal the win
In the 51st minute, the Timbers earned a long-range free kick. Williamson swung the ball towards the marauding pack of players running towards the left post, met by Asprilla, who burst away and tapped the ball across to Blanco. The Argentine got away from Rowe and scored into the open net, much to the surprise of Seattle’s defence.
As the Sounders relentlessly sought to bring the game level, Roldan sent a volley wide of the goal in the 70th minute. Ten minutes later, Jordan Morris flew in with a diving header and sent the ball inches wide of goal. The closest that Seattle came to scoring was in the 85th minute when the Sounders reverted to the way they scored the first goal to seek another: A right-sided corner knocked short to Roldan to push the ball forward and swing in a cross. Once again, a Sounders player, this time substitute Jackson Ragen, towered over everyone else to head the ball but was ultimately denied by the crossbar.
The match ended with a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the Timbers. The hosts (17) took almost twice as many shots as the visitors (9) and also had three times the number of shots on target (six for Portland compared to two for Seattle). Considering the number of fouls committed by both teams—17 by the Timbers and 15 by the Sounders—one can see how intense the game was after each squad received a few yellow cards in the first half. Zac McGraw of Portland was the only player to receive a card in the second half.
What’s next for both teams
While the Timbers now occupy a playoff spot, they have now played more games than all but one other team in the conference, making them susceptible to an overtake. They will next pay a visit to Austin FC, the Texan club that has just thrashed conference leaders LAFC 4-1.
On the other hand, the Sounders make a cross-country trip to Exploria Stadium to visit Orlando City SC. With only one win in six matches, the Sounders will have to put up a strong showing if they want to be in contention for a playoff spot.
Lineups
Coming off a five-game winless streak, Giovanni Savarese made three lineup changes as the Timbers adopted a 4-2-3-1: Ivacic, Tuiloma - Zuparic - McGraw - Bravo, Diego Chara - Williamson, Moreno - Blanco - Yimmi Chara, Asprilla.
Seemingly in anticipation of a close matchup, the Sounders fielded a back three in a 3-4-1-2 tactic to begin the match: Frei, Yeimar - Arreaga - Nouhou, Roldan - Rusnak - Leyva - Rowe, Lodeiro, Morris - Ruidiaz.
Lionel Messi’s agent refutes claims of Inter Miami stake purchase and a potential move
LAFC 2 – 1 Seattle Sounders – Bale and Chiellini Win on Home Debut for the Black and Gold
Summer 2022: A summer of the overhaul for Tottenham that should send fans, and opposition frenetic
How Man City could line up Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips with their current squad
An active transfer window to fire Sparta Rotterdam up on the Eredivisie table
Barcelona have made a significant stride forward with the signing of Jules Kounde
Chelsea Eyeing Villareal defender Pau Torres for a £50m Move: Good choice for Tuchel?
From Haaland’s double score to Ten Hag’s debut defeat- Here’s all from the first week of Premier League
Alex Telles ‘didn’t think twice’ before leaving Man United and joining Sevilla FC
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid join race for RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko
Nottingham Forest’s promotion, Arsenal’s win, Aston Villa’s defeat- all from the first week of Premier League
Sevilla fc winger Oussama Idrissi returns to dutch league for another season
Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa win big in the second week of the Premier League
From Fulham’s win to Tuchel and Conte’s public feud- all the drama from the second week of Premier League 2022
Grand Prix Badminton League 2022: Sharks & Bulls score thrilling wins, face-off with Wolves & Falcons confirmed
How is SL Benfica Academy so successful at producing and developing young talent
Why Brandon Vázquez should be in the USMNT squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter
Sebastian Driussi, the striker who lifted Austin FC to unthinkable heights
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City- big names that disappointed in the third week of the Premier League
Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Fulham win big in the third week of the Premier League
Real Salt Lake breaking new ground with their purchase of 18-year-old USYNT playmaker Diego Luna
LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes: Transfer target for Premier League's Brighton
Haaland scores a hat-trick; Liverpool thrash Bournemouth 9-0: All from the fourth week of Premier League
Punk-Moxley set for a rematch to claim AEW World Championship: AEW Dynamite Recap
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa fail to impress in the fourth week of the Premier League
Anthony Gordon: Merseyside’s latest boy wonder on the verge of a breakthrough
City Win Big, Liverpool Squeak Through And Arsenal Win Again In Match Week Five Of The Premier League
Jesus Ferreira-Alan Velasco-Paul Arriola: Best attacking trio in the MLS?
DP Asia Cup 2022 Review- Pakistan vs Hong Kong: Pak wins big against Hong Kong
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brentford win in the sixth week of the Premier League
Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, and Southampton fail to impress in the sixth week of the Premier League
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest US Open Champion after defeating Casper Ruud in the finale
Denis Bouanga: Will LAFC’s latest acquisition solidify the MLS Cup title for the team?
Aaron Hickey: The Golden Boy Nominee Ready To Light Up The Premier League
Brennan Johnson: The next superstar striker with the potential to play for big clubs
EPL Review: Haaland at it again, A sigh of relief for Gerrard, and Chaos at the City Ground
Comments