Sights, Sounds and Notes from Sounders 2-1 win over Timbers

MATCH NOTES 

• Sunday  contest marked the 112^th all-time matchup between Seattle and Portland dating back to 1975 when the rivalry began in the original North America Soccer League. Sounders FC currently leads the series with 55-42-15 mark. No two teams have met more in the history of U.S. professional soccer.

• In MLS regular-season play, Seattle moves to 13-10-7 all-time against the Timbers.

• With the result, Seattle moves back to the top of the MLS Western Conference on 10 points, one point ahead of second-place San Jose. Sounders FC and the Quakes meet this coming Wednesday in San Jose.

• With their goals today, Ruidíaz and Montero are tied for second all-time in scoring for Seattle against the Timbers in MLS regular-season play, with five goals apiece. Clint Dempsey leads this category with nine goals in 12 games. Montero also scored twice against Portland as a member of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

• Ruidíaz now has 47 strikes in 67 MLS appearances (including playoffs). He is currently second in the MLS Golden Boot race, one tally behind the LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernández.

• Montero’s goal marked his second of 2021 since re-joining Seattle this offseason. The Colombian now has 49 goals for Sounders FC in MLS regular season play, as well as 62 goals across all competitions, both franchise records.

• João Paulo recorded his second assist of the season on Montero’s goal. The Brazilian has three goals and seven assists in 23 regular-season appearance since joining Sounders FC prior to the 2020 campaign. 

• Sunday’s match on ABC marked Seattle’s first network television contest of 2021. The club returns to free-to-air TV in two weeks, when the Rave Green host Atlanta United on May 23 at Lumen Field. That match is set to air on FOX.

• With three saves at Providence Park on Sunday, Stefan Frei becomes just the eighth goalkeeper in MLS regular-season history to record 1,000 saves.

• Wingback Alex Roldan recorded his 50^th MLS appearance this afternoon. The Seattle University product has started all four of Sounders FC’s matches in 2021, giving him 19 career regular-season starts in Rave Green.

• Head Coach Brian Schmetzer retained the same starting XI in Portland as last Sunday’s match versus the LA Galaxy. Using the club’s 3-5-2 formation, Will Bruin started up top alongside Ruidíaz, with a three-man midfield featuring João Paulo, Cristian Roldan and Kelyn Rowe. Alex Roldan and Brad Smith lined up as the wingbacks, flanking the three-man backline of Yeimar, Shane O’Neill and Nouhou.

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Portland Timbers 1

Sunday, May 9, 2021

Venue: Providence Park

Referee: Chris Penso

Assistants: Ian Anderson, Eric Weisbrod

Fourth Official: Elijio Arreguin

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

Weather: 63 and cloudy

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (penalty) 63’

SEA – Fredy Montero (João Paulo) 81’

POR – Bill Tuiloma 90’+4’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

POR – Marvin Loria (caution) 21’

SEA – Nouhou (caution) 17’

SEA – Jordy Delem (caution) 90’+3’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Shane O’Neill, Nouhou. Brad Smith (Xavier Arreaga 81’); João Paulo (Danny Leyva 90’), Kelyn Rowe (Jordy Delem 72’), Cristian Roldan; Will Bruin (Fredy Montero 72’), Raúl Ruidíaz

Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Ethan Dobbelaere, Jimmy Medranda

Total shots: 11

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 13 

Corner-kicks: 4

Saves: 3

Portland Timbers – Jeff Attinella (Hunter Sulte 68’); Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larrys Mabiala (Bill Tuiloma 15’), Dario Zuparic, Claudio Bravo; Diego Chara, Eryk Williamson, Marvin Loria (Andy Polo 67’), Diego Valeri (Dairon Asprilla 60’), Yimmi Chara; Jeremy Ebobisse (Felipe Mora 60’)

Substitutes not used: Pablo Bonilla, Renzo Zambrano, Zachery McGraw, Blake Bodily

Total shots: 11

Shots on goal: 4

Fouls: 15 

Corner-kicks: 7

Saves: 2