Recap: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders

The Portland Timbers visited the Seattle Sounders on Sept. 6 at Century Link Field. The match got off to the worst possible start for Portland. In the first minute, Sebastian Blanco was injured. Blanco was subbed off for Marvin Loria as he sat by the add boards in tears.

Around eight minutes later, Eryk Williamson took the ball down and played the ball to Diego Valeri. Valeri, with his back to goal, flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot to the on-rushing Williamson who curled the ball into the back of the net. Williamson put Portland up 1-0 with his first MLS goal.

The Sounders responded with waves of pressure. Portland did a good job of absorbing pressure and limiting good opportunities until late in the half. Seattle’s first quality chance came from a Nicolas Lodeiro pass meant for Raul Ruidiaz. The ball came all the way through the box without being touched and forced Steve Clark into a difficult save.

Clark continued to make big saves. He denied Jordan Morris one versus one with a terrific save. But in the 41st minute Seattle would equalize. Lodeiro’s cross was headed out to the top of the 18-yard box. It fell to Kelvin Leerdam who hit it first time, rocketing it into Clark’s net.

Portland’s bad luck continued as Larrys Mabiala was unable to finish the first half due to injury and was subbed off at the start of the second half. Julio Cascante came on to replace the center back.

The Timbers got off on the front foot in the second half with two big chances. Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Jeremy Ebobisse each had a great opportunity to put Portland ahead but Stefan Frei saved both.

Portland looked the better team in the second half. They were first to second balls and were dictating the pace of the match while putting Seattle under pressure.

Seattle created some chaos in the 82 minute when multiple Sounders had a good look at an open net. But Williamson and Felipe Mora would punish Seattle at the other end. Williamson provided a perfectly weighted ball to Mora who scored his third goal in as many matches, putting the Timbers up 2-1.

The Sounders pushed for an equalizer, but the Timbers did well to close out the match and secure a much needed 2-1 win.