Cascadia Rivals set to clash in Portland

By Money Mike


Still looking to end their winless run, the Seattle Sounders head south of the border for a massive Cascadia Clash tomorrow afternoon against the Portland Timbers. Kickoff time is 2pm on ESPN, shortly after the conclusion of the England-Italy match in EURO 2012 (unless it goes to extra time). Last year the Sounders defeated the Timbers on their home turf 3-2, rallying back twice with two goals from Fredy Montero and then a game winner by Osvaldo Alonso. They'll have to get past them again tomorrow on the road if they want to snap their six game winless streak.


Players to watch:

Fredy Montero - The Portland Timbers backline will have to keep their eyes out for Montero. Again, last year he scored twice against them at Jeld-Wen Field and he will be looking to silence the Timbers Army again tomorrow. Right now with four goals on the year, Montero will have an opportunity to add to his tally, but to do that, he and Eddie Johnson will have work together to wear down this weak Timbers backline who are going to be without Hanyer Mosquera, Eric Brunner and Rodney Wallace. But as we all know, they can't do it all alone.

Mauro Rosales - Like I said on my previous recap, the Sounders need to stick with Mauro Rosales in the center of midfield because as I said last time, despite only picking up a point against Sporting KC they actually played a lot better than they did the previous five games since they moved Evens to the right and Rosales to the center. I've been starting to get annoyed with Montero acting as a playmaker which in all honesty he's not. That role is why we brought back Mauro Rosales to begin with and up to the Sporting KC game, he hasn't really done much. Keep him in the center and let him create.

Kris Boyd - In case any of you don't know this fact by now, Kris Boyd is the all time leading goalscorer in Scottish Premier League history with 164 and the Timbers are lucky to have him especially after all the speculation during the offseason that he was going to the Houston Dynamo and I was surprised to see him go to Portland. Anyway, the Sounders backline needs to shut him down I think in order to get the win because he's pretty much the only goalscorer they have right now. I mean Danny Mwanga just joined the team, Jose Adolfo Valencia is out with possibly a season ending injury and former UW Husky Brent Richards hasn't been given any real opportunity yet.


Injury report:

Seattle Sounders FC - For the Sounders, David Estrada, Babayele Sodade and Michael Gspurning are out. Steve Zakuani is listed as questionable, but I expect him to be on the 18 man squad. Adam Johansson has been upgraded to questionable. He's been out the last three matches after straining his right hammie against the Columbus Crew. And also, I would've included Christian Sivebaek but he's been waived by the club.

Portland Timbers - For the other team, there's really nothing here except that Eric Brunner and Rodney Wallace are out. Danny Mwanga has a contusion on his left quad, but I don't think it'll keep him out for this one.


Suspensions:

Seattle Sounders FC - Alvaro Fernandez is suspended for Seattle after a red card last match against Sporting Kansas City.

Portland Timbers - Hanyer Mosquera will be serving the first of his three match ban and that will be a big big blow for the Timbers back line who are already with Brunner and Wallace.

Sounders rally to defeat the Timbers 3-2

By Money Mike

On the day the United States women's national team defeated Brazil on Penalties to move on the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Seattle Sounders come to Portland and strike 3 times against the Portland Timbers to win the match 3-2 and move into second place and are still 4 points back of the Los Angeles Galaxy who they will face in the Quarterfinal of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at Starfire Sports Complex in Takwila. It was a great day for soccer not only for the Sounders, but for the entire nation as well with the U.S. Women moving onto the Semifinals against France on Wednesday at 8:30am.

In the 32nd minute, public enemy #1 Roger Levesque (Timber fans hate him) got open with a run of the left side but rather than using that space to try to slot one past the keeper Troy Perkins, he decides to cross it to the top of the box for Fredy Montero but the Portland backline had that covered.

Six minutes later, Alvaro Fernandez snuck behind Portland's defense to a clear look at goal but Troy Perkins came off his line to cut down the angle for the Uruguayan international.

Just seconds into the second half, the opening goal went to Rose City FC. Kalif Alhassan went wide of the Seattle's defense and slid a pass into the danger area for Jorge Perlaza who was jostling for possession with Jeff Parke and the ball deflected off Parke and in for an own goal and a 1-0 Portland lead.

In the 57th minute, Seattle answered with a free-kick goal by the Colombian, Fredy Montero. It was his 4th goal of the Season, all have come on the road in 2011.

In the 69th minute, Seattle found themselves on the bottom end again. Jorge Perlaza was freed by a brilliant entry pass from fellow countryman Diego Chara. Perlaza's shot glanced off Tyson Wahl and past the diving Kasey Keller for the goal.

Seattle responded five minutes later. Lamar Neagle put in a cross from the left hand side. Midfielder Mauro Rosales brought it down on the right side to set up an easy tap in from Fredy Montero of all people to tie the match up again at 2-2.

In the 81st minute the Timbers would end up losing a player. Midfielder Lamar Neagle was tackled from behind by Eric Brunner in the box, breaking up a breakaway chance for the Seattle Sounders and referee Jorge Gonzalez quickly reached into his back pocket and showed Brunner the red card. Ozzie Alonso stepped up to take the PK for the visiting team. Coming into this game he was 0 for 1 on PK's for the Sounders, missing one last year in a Champions League match at Saprissa, but Alonso went to the right side, just out of Perkins's reach to give the Sounders the lead for good. The Sounders unbeaten streak lives on, as well as Portland misery at home since they won their first 5 home matches.

Scoring summary:

Portland Timbers - Own goal (Jeff Parke) 46'

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero 4 (unassisted) 57'

Portland Timbers - Jorge Perlaza 4 (Diego Chara 1) 69'

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero 5 (Mauro Rosales 5, Lamar Neagle 1) 74'

Seattle Sounders FC - Osvaldo Alonso 3 (Penalty kick) 83'

Misconduct summary:

Portland Timbers - James Marcelin (caution; Reckless foul) 56'

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero (caution; Shirt Removal) 58'

Seattle Sounders FC - Osvaldo Alonso (caution; Reckless foul) 63'

Seattle Sounders FC - Mauro Rosales (caution; Unsporting behavior) 78'

Portland Timbers - Eric Brunner (ejection; Denied Scoring chance (foul)) 81'

Lineups:

Seattle Sounders FC - Kasey Keller; James Riley, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Patrick Ianni 56'), Tyson Wahl; Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg, Alvaro Fernandez (Lamar Neagle 66'); Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero

Portland Timbers - Troy Perkins; Steve Purdy, Eric Brunner, Mamadou Danso, Rodney Wallace; James Marcelin, Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Darlington Nagbe (Sal Zizzo 64'), Kalif Alhassan; Jorge Perlaza (Kenny Cooper 75')

Previewing Round 2 of the Sounders-Timbers MLS Rivalry

By Money Mike:


The Seattle Sounders are preparing for their 2nd Rivalry match against the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland. On May 14, these two sides finished with a point each after a 1-1 draw at Qwest Field (now named CenturyLink Field). Alvaro Fernandez broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a low left foot drive to put the Sounders up 1-0. But then in the 65th minute Jack Jewsbury hooked up with Futty Danso off a free-kick once again to salvage a point for the Timbers. The Sounders need to avoid mental mistakes if they want to get this win, which would put them in 2nd place all by themselves after FC Dallas lost 2-0 to Real Salt Lake.


Injury report:

Seattle Sounders FC - Some changes here for the Seattle Sounders. O'Brian White started practicing with the team following the LA match. He won't be on the squad today against Portland, but Sigi Schmid says he might at least be available off the bench next Saturday at home against the Colorado Rapids...... you know, the team with that dumb fuck named Brian Mullan. As for Brad Evans, what the hell is going on with this dude? I don't see him playing against Portland.

Portland Timbers - Alright for Rose City FC. Big blow defensively, Rodney Wallace has a left knee injury and he is out. Bright Dike has been out with a ruptured achillies tendon on his right ankle, he's now listed as questionable along with David Horst. Defenders Jeremy Hall and Futty Danso, Midfielders Adam Moffit and Peter Lowry and Goalkeeper Troy Perkins are listed as probable.


Key matchup:

Darlington Nagbe vs Tyson Wahl - Well you're looking at a young playmaker going up against Tyson Wahl in this one. I mean really, have you guys seen his goal last week against Sporting Kansas City, I mean it was everywhere on the news including on Sports Center. Tyson Wahl better keep him from pulling off another goal like that. lol. Seriously though, this is a matchup to look at.

And with all the injury concerns, this is the only matchup to keep an eye on for this one.

Futty's goal sends the Timbers home with a point.

By Money Mike


In front of of 36,593 fans at Qwest Field, the Seattle Sounders saw their 1-0 lead slip away after a 65th minute goal by Mamadou "Futty" Danso off a Jack Jewsbury free kick as the first Sounders-Timbers rivalry match in MLS ended all square at 1-1. The Sounders were without Zakuani, O'Brian White, Mauro Rosales and Erik Friberg was a late scratch for this match. And I didn't like who they had on the bench. Three defenders? Really? Also, where's David Estrada, where's Michael Tetteh, where's Miguel Montano......why are they not giving the young players a chance to play? You draft Estrada in the first round and so far he's only made four appearances, you draft Michael Tetteh who is a very talented young midfielder and he's never made the bench in any of the matches? What the hell is going on here? You're team is banged up with key injuries, you're putting in weak players like Zach Scott, Nate Jaqua, and Leo Gonzalez has also been inconsistent. Look, I'm not saying Sigi has to go, I'm saying the man needs to pull his damn head out and put the young guys, that have worked their ass off everyday, on the 18-man squad and get them on the damn field. I was unhappy about who has on the squad for this match.

Portland had the better chances in the first half, the best one coming from Kenny Cooper who's left footed strike from outside the area was easily saved by Kasey Keller.

The Sounders had an opportunity just before halftime. A free kick from just outside the penalty area by Fredy Montero who curled it over the wall, but it didn't get enough bend on it and hit the side of the net. Some fans thought it was in after the saw the net move.

In the 52nd minute, Seattle broke through. Roger Levesque chipped the ball the top of the area for Fredy Montero. The Colombian outjumped two Portland defenders and flicked the ball out wide to Alvaro Fernandez, who had time to settle before ripping a left footed shot past Troy Perkins inside the near post for his third goal of the season and to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

The Seattle backline did very well to shut down Kenny Cooper and Jorge Perlaza, but in the 65th minute, there was one thing that they didn't do well. Last week in Portland, Jack Jewsbury's free kick found the head of the big man Futty Danso for the only goal against the Philadelphia Union. And in minute 65, in the same position, the two combined again........

Jewsbury's chipped the ball into the danger area. Kasey Keller came off his line to punch the ball clear, but Futty beat Keller to the ball and headed it into the back of the goal for his second goal in as many matches. It was also Portland's 12th goal of 2011, and their 8th off a set play which leads MLS. Oh and that was the last of the goals.

Seattle will hit the pitch again next Saturday as they host Sporting Kansas City who have not played a home match yet this season. Their first 10 games are on the road, this is the 8th of the 10 games. And you can tell it's been rough, they won the season opener down at Home Depot Center against Chivas USA with goals by rookie C. J. Sapong and two from the Mexican legend Omar Bravo, but since then, they've only managed a point and that was down at Vancouver against the Whitecaps where they blew a 3-0 lead. And the injury to Bravo is prooving costly to Kansas City as well. And I'll talk more about that when I preview that match.

Scoring summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Alvaro Fernandez 3 (Fredy Montero 3, Roger Levesque 1) 52'

Portland Timbers - Mamadou Danso 2 (Jack Jewsbury 4) 65'

Lineups:

Portland Timbers - Troy Perkins; Jeremy Hall, Eric Brunner, Mamadou Danso, Rodney Wallace; Darlington Nagbe (Sal Zizzo 61'), Jack Jewsbury, Diego Chara, Kalif Alhassan; Kenny Cooper, Jorge Perlaza (Ryan Pore 84')

Seattle Sounders FC - Kasey Keller; James Riley, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Tyson Wahl; Brad Evans (Roger Levesque 42'), Osvaldo Alonso, Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez; Fredy Montero, Nate Jaqua (Lamar Neagle 79')

I'm getting sick and tired reading all the stupid comments from Seattle fans after poorly played games:

So I've read a bunch of comments that a lot of you people made about the match via Facebook, Seattle Times, etc.. and as much as I understand how upset you are, the fact that you deserve better from the team, you Seattle fans, and I'm not afraid to say this. You Seattle fans are just downright stupid. I mean, I'm upset about the result too, but this shit is going way to far. All the comments like "Rivalry??? More like book club", "Pathetic excuse for professional athletes" (What a dumbass comment), "The Sounders are the new Mariners. As long as the seats are filled, go ahead and rool out a crappy play" (This makes no sense), "total clown show, I'm embarrased that the Sounders represent Seattle" (What the fuck?!!)............

These people make stupid comments and you give them a thumbs up. Look, all you Seattle people need to chill the hell out and not make a bunch of stupidass comments like these comments from people who know absolutely nothing about soccer. Again I know how disappointed you guys are about the draw, but I'm more disappointed at you guys for all the negativity.

Seattle Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers preview. The rivalry unfolds in MLS.

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders get ready to take on their I-5 rivals, the Portland Timbers. The match takes place tomorrow at 8pm on ESPN2. Last week, the Sounders came away with one point after drawing 1-1 at Columbus. Fredy Montero was the goalscorer for the Sounders. On the other side, the Timbers are coming off yet another home win, defeating the Philadelphia Union 1-0. Both teams are coming into this match tied in the standings with 13 points.

Injury report:

Portland Timbers - Alright, for the Scum, we have Bright Dike and Eddie Johnson (not the Eddie Johnson you guys are thinking) with achillies problems. Dike has a ruptured achillies tendon on his right ankle and Johnson has achillies tendonitis and they're both out. Brian Umony has an MCL sprain on his right knee and is listed as questionable.

Seattle Sounders FC - Of course, out for this match are Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White. I got a report saying that they've been discharged from the hospital and could be on the sidelines tomorrow. Mauro Rosales has a strained hamstring and is questionable.

Key matchups:

Kenny Cooper/Jorge Perlaza vs Seattle's back line: The Sounders had a little trouble dealing with these two in the Cascadia Summit, as both of them came away with a goal. Perlaza signed a contract with the Timbers a day later. Those two are gonna partner up front like they've always done and the Sounders have had a week to prepare to shut down Portland's attacking game.

Ozzie Alonso vs Diego Chara: This looks like a real midfield battle with last years Sounders MVP Osvaldo Alonso and Portland's Designated player Diego Chara. This matchup should decide the outcome of this game.

History between these two:

I tell you what, going back to those NASL days with guys like Harry Redknapp, Bruce Rioch, Jimmy McAlister, David Nish and all those ledgends that we had here in Seattle, they know what this rivalry is about, they've been there, they know how much these two downright hate eachother. In 61 meetings, not counting preseason, the Sounders have won 35, Timbers have won 21 and there we're 5 draws. And I'm actually gonna show you all the results.........


May 2, 1975: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

July 26, 1975: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1


August 2, 1975: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 2 (OT)

August 12, 1975: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1 (OT)*

April 25, 1976: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 0 (OT)

August 7, 1976: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 3

April 30, 1977: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 2

June 11, 1977: Timbers - 3 Sounders - 0

June 10, 1978: Timbers - 0 (2) Sounders 0 (1) (OT)

July 31, 1978: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 2 (OT)

June 9, 1979: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1

June 30, 1979: Sounders - 5 Timbers - 1

April 30, 1980: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 0

June 14, 1980: Timbers 0 (3) Sounders - 0 (4) (OT)

April 4, 1981: Sounders - 1 (3) Timbers - 1 (2) (OT)

June 13, 1981: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1

August 15, 1981: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 2 (OT)

April 9, 1982: Sounders - 0 Timbers - 1

July 24, 1982: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 4

July 31, 1982: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 0

August 22, 1982: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

May 11, 2001: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 0

May 12, 2001: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 1

July 13, 2001: Sounders - 0 Timbers - 0

July 21, 2001: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

May 4, 2002: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 2

May 5, 2002: Sounders - 4 Timbers - 1

June 23, 2002: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 0

July 19, 2002: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 1

May 1, 2003: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

May 2, 2003: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 0

May 18, 2003: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 0

August 9, 2003: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

August 10, 2003: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 3

August 18, 2003: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 0

May 1, 2004: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1

May 15, 2004: Sounders - 0 Timbers - 1

July 17, 2004: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 4

July 24, 2004: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 2

September 1, 2004: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 1*

September 5, 2004: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 0*

April 30, 2005: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 2

July 8, 2005: Sounders - 4 Timbers - 2

July 12, 2005: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 0^

August 7, 2005: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 0

August 20, 2005: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 1

September 16, 2005: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1*

September 18, 2005: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 0*

June 2, 2006: Sounders - 0 Timbers - 0



June 3, 2006: Timbers - 3 Sounders - 1

July 21, 2006: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 2

July 22, 2006: Sounders - 3 Timbers - 1

May 5, 2007: Sounders - 1 Timbers - 0

May 11, 2007: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 2

June 26, 2007: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 1^

August 1, 2007: Sounders - 2 Timbers - 0

April 26, 2008: Timbers - 2 Sounders - 0

May 10, 2008: Sounders - 0 Timbers - 0

August 7, 2008: Timbers - 0 Sounders - 1

July 1, 2009: Timbers - 1 Sounders - 2^

June 30, 2010: Timbers - 1 (3) Sounders - 1 (4) (OT)^

* - Playoff match
^ - U.S. Open Cup match

Prediction:

Why do I bother making a pick for this match. We know what's gonna happen. The Timbers are going to come to Qwest Field and they're going to get their asses whooped. 2-0 Sounders get the win.