Timbers, Sounders Team Up for ‘SEAvPDX Week’ Project

The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC announced the beginning of “SEAvPDX Week” on Tuesday. The clubs were supposed to play their first match on this past Sunday (May 17).

Events begin today with each club releasing the Top Five moments from the Portland-Seattle rivalry in the “MLS era”. Portland’s Richard Farley and Seattle’s Joseph Mondello will publish their lists “for fans to discuss and debate”.

Tomorrow, (Wed. May 20) Farley and Mondello will post a “long-form oral history” of the first MLS meeting between the Timbers and Sounders, which took place on May 14, 2011. “Players and technical staff members from the 2011 clubs will help tell the tale of that match and the birth of the most passionate and contentious rivalry in Major League Soccer,” according to the press release.

Also, on Wednesday, the Timbers will produce a “special edition” of their podcast “Breaking Lines” but with a twist. “Former Sounders Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans will join Timbers guests Jack Jewsbury and Ryan Pore to discuss everything Portland-Seattle, from memorable moments to insider stories,” according to the release.

Thursday (May 21) the clubs will have a few things to enjoy. First, a “Newlywed Game-style” battle between Portland’s Diego and Yimmi Chara and Seattle’s Cristian and Alex Roldan to “determine which sibling pair knows each other better”. Later on Thursday, the Timbers and Sounders face-off … on FIFA 20.

Per the release: “From 6-8 p.m. (Pacific), fans can register for free to take part in The SEA vs. PDX FIFA Showdown hosted by Matcherino, pitting the Green & Gold against the Rave Green. Points from the results of each individual match – three for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss – will be combined to determine an overall winner between the Timbers and Sounders, earning fans bragging rights. Three lucky participants from each team will also be randomly selected to receive a signed item from their team.”

Also, the SEA v PDX FIFA Showdown’s big showcase match will take place at 7 p.m. PT between Portland defender Bill Tuiloma and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei “for club and FIFA glory”. About 30 minutes later at 7:30 p.m. PT the two clubs’ eMLS reps – Portland’s RCTID Thiago and Seattle’s TheMarsBars11 – will also compete.

During the streaming, and throughout the week, fans can donate to their club’s selected community COVID-19 relief charity (the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette for the Timbers and the Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund for Sounders FC).

“Proceeds directed to the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette will benefit their Safety Net program, providing critical services for local families in need.”

The release also gives you the chance to register for the FIFA 20 matchup on PS4. “Timbers fans who own FIFA 20 for PS4 and are interested in taking part in this free tournament can register through the Matcherino platform here. Seattle fans can register here.”

On Friday, (May 22) fans will have a chance to compete “in a battle of wits” with The SEA vs. PDX Trivia Challenge which will center on soccer, regional and obviously Timbers and Sounders FC trivia. The trivia competition is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT where fans can play for free by logging on to crowd.live, according to the press release. The Timbers and Sounders YouTube channels will be live-streaming the trivia event, which will be hosted by former Timbers defender and current TV analyst Ross Smith, Sounders FC radio commentator Matt Johnson and former Timbers/Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani.

Here’s how the trivia challenge will be won: “The highest average scores across four rounds of multiple-choice trivia will determine which club comes out on top. The top three individual finishers from each club will win an ultimate fan experience for themselves and three guests (four total) when play resumes with fans in-stadium.”

Finally, over the weekend, (Sat. May 23) the Timbers will re-air their first MLS win over the Sounders from June 24, 2012. During the re-air, which will be at 7 p.m. PT on Timbers.com, Timbers announcer Jake Zivin will host a live chat with former players, including Jack Jewsbury, David Horst and Futty Danso.

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