Timbers Squander Chances, Fall to Seattle 2-1

Portland had their chances tonight. But they couldn’t capitalize as they fell to their bitter rival, Seattle Sounders 2-1 from Providence Park.

Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan scored in the 22nd minute after a cross from Jordan Morris bounced off Timbers defender Jorge Villafana and found Roldans feet. Seattle extended its lead in the 47th minute when Raul Ruidiaz fired a shot into the net with his first touch to give the Sounders a 2-0 lead.

Portland got their goal in the 54th minute when a free kick from Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri hit off Ruidiaz and bounced into the back of the net. Portland controlled the game from there on out having chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net. Timbers striker Brian Fernandez even put the ball in the net in the 81st minute, but was called offside. Sebastian Blanco had the last chance for the Timbers in stoppage time, but his free header went just over the bar.

With the loss, the seventh-place Timbers missed an opportunity to move ahead of their rivals in the Western Conference standings and reclaim the Cascadia Cup trophy for the first time since 2017. For the second year in a row, the Sounders will be taking home the Cascadia Cup.

Up next, Portland hosts Real Salt Lake on Saturday the 31st as they look to move up the playoff standings.

Match Highlights: