Seattle tops Portland 2-0 in MLS Reserve League

Reserve sides square off before 3,393 at JELD-WEN Field (photos courtesy of Miranda Chrislock)

PORTLAND, Ore. - Second-half goals from midfielders Servando Carrasco and David Estrada guided Seattle Sounders FC to a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in an MLS Reserve League match before 3,393 at JELD-WEN Field on Monday afternoon.

Seattle struck twice in the final 13 minutes to grab its second win over Portland. Sounders FC posted a 3-2 victory in the first meeting on May 15 in Tukwila, Wash.

Carrasco and Estrada each tallied their first goals of the Reserve League campaign and goalkeeper Terry Boss made two saves in his second shutout to lead Seattle (4-0-0, 12pts) to a fourth straight victory.

Forward Eddie Johnson and defender David Horst each had shots hit off the woodwork for the Timbers Reserves (1-2-0, 3pts). After opening Reserve League play with a victory over the LA Galaxy Reserves, the Timbers Reserves have lost their last two matches.

Off a free kick, Carrasco's goal cracked the stalemate in the 77th minute. A foul by Portland defender Freddie Braun set up the play 30 yards out from goal. On the re-start, Carrasco hammered a shot over the Timbers' four-man wall and into the top right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.

Seattle added an insurance goal in the 89th minute, when Estrada broke free into the box. On a ball played over the top by defender Leo Gonzalez, Estrada headed the ball down and charged toward the right post. He worked around Timbers goalkeeper Adin Brown and squeezed a shot in to the back of the net before sliding defender Ross Smith could clear the ball away.

The Timbers Reserves nearly claimed the lead in the 73rd minute, as Johnson flicked a cross from defender Chris Taylor on towards the right post. Johnson's header had beat Boss, but nicked the frame and deflected out. In the first half, Portland had a chance to take the lead when Horst headed a Rodrigo Lopez free kick off the crossbar in the 16th minute.

The Cascadia rivals traded chances through a scoreless first half. Sounders FC midfielder Michael Seamon was put in position on a one-two play for a shot from the top of the box, but his attempt was blocked by Horst 16 yards out from goal in the 33rd minute. Four minutes later, Portland's Ryan Pore had a volley from near the penalty spot smothered on stop by Boss. Seattle forward Pat Noonan had a header bounce across the goalmouth before landing wide of the target just before halftime.

The two sides finished nearly even in shots, with Seattle holding a slight edge 9-8.

The next Sounders FC Reserve League match is June 7 versus Vancouver. First kick is 7 p.m. PT at Starfire Sports Stadium. Admission is free with donations accepted for the Sounders FC community partners.      

Portland Timbers Reserves (1-2-0, 3pts) vs. Seattle Sounders FC Reserves (4-0-0, 12pts)

Scoring Summary 
SEA: Carrasco, 77
SEA: Estrada (Gonzalez), 89    

Misconduct Summary
POR: Braun (reckless foul), 76    

Lineups  
POR: GK-Adin Brown; D-Freddie Braun, D-Ross Smith, D-David Horst ©, D-Chris Taylor; M-Ryan Pore (Spencer Thompson, 68), M-James Marcelin, M-Adam Moffat (Bim Ogunyemi, 85), M-Rodrigo Lopez; F-Eddie Johnson, F-Brian Umony Substitutes Not Used: D-Jesus Gonzalez

SEA: GK-Terry Boss; D-Roger Levesque, D-Zach Scott, D-Taylor Graham ©, D-Leo Gonzalez; M-Miguel Montaño (Sean Okoli, 78), M-Servando Carrasco, M-Michael Seamon, M-Michael Tetteh; F-Pat Noonan (Aaron Kovar, 81), F-Fredy Montero (David Estrada, 65)Substitutes Not Used: GK-Bryan Meredith, F-, F-DeAndre Yedlin

Referee: Ronald Lagraff
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Cesar Tercero
4th Official: Farhad Dadko  

Attendance: 3,393
Weather: Cloudy, 62 degrees