Timbers Dominate Sounders in First Meeting of the Season, 3-0

Portland Timbers forward Jarosław Niezgoda (11) celebrates with teammates after he scored a goal against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Timbers won 3-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

In the first meeting of the season between the bitter rivals, Portland dominated Seattle 3-0 at Lumen Field.

As if the stakes and energy couldn’t have been higher, the day started as Seattle unveiled its CONCACAF trophy in front of its raucous fans and in front of its biggest rival.

Portland struck first in the 24th minute as Sebastian Blanco delivered a beautiful cross to the far-post for a routine header by Jaroslaw Niezgoda into the back of the net. Seattle asked some questions and nearly earned a penalty, but the Timbers went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Just one minute into the second half, Seattle’s Jackson Ragen was handed his second yellow card and suddenly the Timbers had an 11-on-10 advantage for the rest of the match.

Later in the second half, VAR review found that Santiago Moreno’s shot struck the hand of a Seattle defender, earning a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. Moreno found the back of the net to make it 2-0 and just three minutes later, Asprilla scored on a counter attack for the finishing touch on a 3-0 victory.

This victory is Portland’s largest ever margin of victory in Seattle. Portland has now earned five straight results and continues to climb up the western conference standings. The team will be back in action at home against Vancouver on Sunday, July 9th.