PORTLAND, ORE. - Sounders FC 2 (1-6-4, 7 points) was defeated by a score of 1-0 to Portland Timbers 2 (4-6-1, 13 points) at Providence Park in the first contest between the rivals of 2016. Seattle put five shots on frame to Portland's four, but ultimately it was Portland's Villyan Bijev who provided the match's lone score in the 25th minute. Next up, S2 visits Orange County Blues FC for a contest on June 4 (7:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed at SoundersFC.com).
In the 18th minute, Myron Samuel nearly put the Rave Green up 1-0. The second-year forward sent a dangerous cross from the left flank into Portland's area, but a charging Victor Mansaray barely missed while sliding toward goal. Midfielder Mark O'Ojong received Portland's clearance at the top of the 18-yard-box, but his well-struck shot was stopped by goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh.
Portland took the lead in the 25th minute with a one-timed strike from Bijev. The 23-year-old Bulgarian received a pass near the top of Seattle's area, and then sent well-placed ball past goalkeeper Charlie Lyon.
In the second half, S2 kept the scoring margin at 1-0 despite good chances from the host side. In the 58th minute, Kharlton Belmar sent a shot wide on a one-on-one challenge with Lyon. Five minutes later, Bijev sailed a penalty-kick wide after Lyon took him down in his own area. In the 84th minute, Lyon made an off-balance save from close range on a shot by Ben Polk.
S2, however, couldn't capitalize offensively. In the 70th minute, Mansaray weaved through multiple defenders into Portland's area, but couldn't stay on his feet for the finish. Defender Nouhou Tolo blasted a shot from the right-side of the net, although his attempt was parried by McIntosh in the 83rd minute.
S2 continues its road stretch with a tilt against Orange County Blues FC on Saturday, June 4 (7:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com). S2 Flex Plans are available now. For a cost of $100, choose any eight combinations for all remaining S2 home matches. Additional information on the S2 Flex Plan, season tickets, group tickets or single-match options, can be found via: www.SoundersFC.com/S2/Tickets.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 | 0-1| Portland Timbers 2
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Venue: Providence Park
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistants: Jeremiah Hickman, Tymon Emch
Fourth Official: William Baldwin
Weather: Cloudy and 46 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
POR - Villyan Bijev (Seth Casiple) 25'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Charlie Lyon; Devon Fisher, Michael Nelson,Tobi Jnohope, Nouhou Tolo;
Mark O'Ojong, Jordan Schweitzer, Zach Mathers; Carlos Patino, Victor Mansaray, Myron Samuel
Substitutes Used: Lorenzo Ramos, Willy Kapawa, Handwalla Bwana, Emir Alihodzic, Kei Tomozawa, Henry Baldwin
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Bersano
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 5
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 3
Portland Timbers 2 - Kendall McIntosh; Terrell Lowe, Trevor Morley, Michael Gallagher, Marco Farfan, Andre Lewis, Nick Besler, Neco Brett; Villyan Bijev, Ben Polk, Kharlton Belmar
Substitutes Used: Andy Thoma, Brent Richards, Steve Palacios, Seth Casiple, Blake Bodily
Substitutes Not Used: Justin Luthy, Dylan Damraoui
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 4
Corner-kicks: 10
Saves: 5
