MLS Regular Season
Score: Sounders FC 2 vs. Portland Timbers 1
Goal-scorers: Obafemi Martins (6’), Brad Evans (42’), Jack Jewsbury (58’)
Site: CenturyLink Field
Man of the Match: It was an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who made five saves and snatched a number of Portland crosses to preserve Sounders FC’s lead. The Timbers constantly put pressure on Seattle’s backline with crosses and long-distance shots, but Frei was stellar in goal all afternoon, earning his 11th win of the season.
Telling Stat: Heading into the match, Portland had attempted the most shots in MLS this season while Seattle had taken the fewest. The teams stayed true to their respective styles on Sunday, when the Timbers finished with 20 shots to Sounders FC’s six. Despite its large deficit in shots taken, Seattle owned 51 percent of possession in the match.
Attendance for Sunday’s game was 64,358, the fourth largest crowd in club history. Sounders FC improved to 4-0-0 when facing Portland in front of at least 60,000 fans at CenturyLink Field.
What You Missed: Thanks to another victory over the Timbers, Seattle is atop the 2015 Cascadia Cup standings and can clinch the trophy with a draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at home on September 19. Sounders FC is looking to win the regional competition for the first time since 2011.
After coming on as a substitute in the CONCACAF Champions League match last week, midfielder Marco Pappa returned to the starting lineup for the first time since June 28. Ozzie Alonso, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, came off the bench for his first appearance since August 1.
So What: Sounders FC pulled within two points of the Timbers and is tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for the sixth position in the Western Conference. The club returns to action this Saturday at home against Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC, and then its final seven games all come against fellow Western Conference teams.
