Sounders Brian Schmetzer cleared for rivalry match with Timbers

It’s all system’s go for Brian Schmetzer and his squad when they host the Portland Timbers Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field. The kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm. Despite being under the team’s Health and Safety Protocols Schmetzer coach his squad wearing a mask. The concern was whether he would receive the go-ahead to coach on Saturday.

GAME NOTES

• The most heated rivalry in MLS returns this weekend as Sounders FC
(8-7-2, 26 points) hosts the Portland Timbers (5-6-8, 23 points) at Lumen Field in the first matchup of the season between these two sides.

• This marks the 115th edition of the rivalry, which can be traced back
to the days of the North American Soccer League in 1975, with Seattle
leading the all-time series 56-43-15.

• This is the third match of the 2022 Cascadia Cup. Seattle leads the
current iteration of the contest, tied on points (3) with Portland but
holding a higher goal differential.

• Saturday’s matchday experience features a wide variety of entertainment and activities as the Rave Green celebrate becoming “Champions of Champions” and unveil the club’s 2022 Concacaf Champions
League title banner.

• Following Saturday’s matchup, Sounders FC embarks on a two-match
road trip against Nashville SC on Wednesday, July 13 (FOX 13+,
Prime Video, 93.3 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) and the Chicago Fire on
Saturday, July 16 (5:00 p.m. PT / FOX 13+, Prime Video, 93.3 KJR AM,
El Rey 1360 AM).

INJURY REPORT

SOUNDERS

OUT
João Paulo (R ACL Tear)
Obed Vargas (Lower Back Stress Fracture)

QUESTIONABLE
Xavier Arreaga (L Hamstring Strain)
Cristian Roldan (Health & Safety Protocol)
Raúl Ruidíaz (L Hamstring Strain)

TIMBERS

OUT:
Diego Gutierrez (foot)
Blake Bodily (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE:
Eryk Williamson (foot)