By the Numbers
10
Number of turnovers by Diego Chara against Seattle (still, it only takes one...)
26
Number of turnovers Chara has total for the season
31
Number of turnovers Diego Valeri is averaging per match this season
1
Number of players in the MLS era who have scored twice against the Seattle Sounders
18
Average number of shots per match for Portland in 2013
12
Average number of shots per match for Portland in 2012
Moment of the Match
Rodney Wallace equalizes in the 90th minute: Late in the game, down a goal, Wallace came through off the bench with a gorgeous header just inside the near post. As if the late equalizer weren't awesome enough, there are some extra awesome things about it.
While it wasn't technically a set piece, it had the feel of one, with the central defenders having been brought forward for a corner kick and the play having been started with a throw-in. Last week, Caleb Porter lamented the Timbers' sloppiness on set pieces, particularly on those pesky "second balls."
No doubt this was something the Timbers worked on this week, on both sides of the ball, and if that's indeed the case, the extra work paid off.
In contrast to previous matches, this time it was an uncoordinated Sounders backline that gave up the second ball opportunity. After DeAndre Yedlin cleared a weak cross from Diego Valeri off the line, he ran forward, unconcerned about covering any late charging Timbers midfielders. Rodney Wallace, who had floated freely across the Sounders' penalty box, saw the inexperienced Yedlin's lack of awareness and snuck in behind him, as Ryan Johnson wrestled Jhon Kennedy Hurtado towards the far post.
Andrew Jean Baptiste lobbed the ball right where it needed to go, but the lion's share of the credit for this goal should be given to Wallace. To turn a lofty cross to the near post into a solid shot into the top corner is no simple feat, and Wallace made it look routine. Add the classy kiss of the crest, and Wallace is quietly adding his name to the annals of Timbers lore.
Injuries and Suspensions
None to report, thankfully, in spite of the chippy game. Andrew Jean-Baptiste reportedly has a lump on his head after a Sounders fan threw a can at it, but I imagine he'll recover before the next match.
Around the League
Real Salt Lake 1:1 Colorado Rapids: Colorado managed a point on the road in spite of keeper Matt Pickens breaking his forearm on Kwame Watson-Siriboe's head. Ow.
Columbus Crew 1:1 San Jose Earthquakes: Tell you what, Columbus is looking like a good team all of a sudden. They were starting to get good late last year, but they seem to be gelling pretty well right now.
Montreal Impact 2:1 Toronto FC: An epic Canadian battle between two former Timbers keepers featured two more penalty kicks than the Timbers have been awarded since 2011 and yet another win to start the Impact's season.