Sounders defeat FC Dallas 4-2; Extend unbeaten streak to six

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders hot streak continues. On Saturday night, the Rave Green came way with their third straight win as they defeated the Western Conference leaders FC Dallas 4-2 to extend their unbeaten streak to six games. The Sounders had a 2-0 lead at halftime, but Dallas came back with two quick goals early in the second half to level the match up at two goals a piece only for the Sounders to come away with two more unanswered goals and the three points. The Sounders will have a chance at extending their unbeaten run to seven games as they travel to the Home Depot Center for a Western Conference Finals rematch against the two-time MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy. LA is coming off a 1-0 road loss to the New York Red Bulls and have struggled a bit as of late, losing three out of their last four games. The game will take place this Sunday at 8pm on ESPN2.

With just over a quarter of an hour gone by in the match, the Sounders opened the scoring. After FC Dallas keeper Raul Fernandez cleared the ball to midfield, Ozzie Alonso headed it back into the Dallas area where Eddie Johnson was in a race with defender London Woodberry. The rookie makes a mistake by trying to reach out with his right foot for the ball and EJ makes him pay as he brings it down with his chest and puts it away with the outside of his right foot and the Sounders pick up where they left off against the Earthquakes. Scoring goals. It was Johnson's third MLS goal of the season (fourth in all competitions) and first against his former club. Woodberry had a torrid evening as the Sounders offense took him to school.

EJ nearly had a second five minutes later. Mario Martinez's outswinger from the far touchline found Johnson who outjumped Matt Hedges but couldn't direct his header on target.

In the 27th minute, Seattle had another big chance to double their lead. Mario Martinez found Brad Evans in behind the defense and as he approached the 6 yard area, he hesitated at the last second, deciding whether or not to slide the ball across to Lamar Neagle and that gave Raul Fernandez time to position himself and make the save. Evans appeared to have been offside on the pass from Martinez, but at the same time, Evans was in position to slot the ball inside the far corner with his left foot.

Evans was involved in another scoring chance for the Sounders in the 30th minute. This time, a through ball to Lamar Neagle did the trick. Neagle was fed with a perfectly timed through ball as he beat the offside trap, only had the keeper to beat, dribbles the ball around him and puts the ball inside the empty net before London Woodberry could have any chance of sliding in and breaking up the play. There was no doubt in this play, Neagle was definitely onside. Zach Loyd, the last defender, kept him on. But the question is, why the hell is Dallas trying to push all the way up and trying to play the offside trap? This time the Sounders made them pay. That was Neagle's third goal in two games and the Sounders doubled their lead.

Just shortly after, the Sounders suffered a big blow as Ozzie Alonso was forced to leave the game with in injury. Last I heard, it was a left adductor strain, but no further information as of right now. I just hope he'll be back soon.

Just over 10 minutes later, the Sounders came real close to making it three. Michael Gpsurning gathered the ball quickly threw the ball out to Mario Martinez to set Seattle on the counter. Martinez cut inside and slid the ball trough to Brad Evans for a first timed shot, but it hit the side of the net. Many thought it was in. As a matter of fact, I've seen those plays result in goals more times than not.

Seconds later, Dallas had a golden opportunity to cut the lead in half. Zach Loyd made an overlapping run and was found by Jackson. Loyd had plenty of time to take a touch and whip the ball to the near post for Blas Perez who looked to direct his header inside Michael Gpsurning's right hand post and ends up hitting the post, then off Gspurning's left hand and the rebound by Eric Hassli was saved off Gspurning's left thigh. Had Gpsurning not got a left hand to the ball, I think Kenny Cooper would've had an easy rebound.

In the 54th minute, Dallas this time were able to pull one back. The visitors look more dangerous on set pieces this year then they did last year. Mainly because of the quality that Brazilian midfielder Michel on his delivery and he showed that in this game as he curled the ball into the area for a free header from former Portland Timber forward Kenny Cooper who didn't even need to jump. All he needed to do was direct the ball on target and that's what he did and Dallas cut the Sounders lead to one.

Seattle continued to attack though and in the 59th minute, they were an inch away from making it 3-1. Mario Martinez played in another great through ball in the box, this time to Eddie Johnson who was denied a second goal by Raul Fernandez. Lamar Neagle came crashing in looking to head in the rebound but was denied with a heroic goaline stop by London Woodberry to keep it a 2-1 game. That was pretty much the only highlight of this match for Woodberry who as I mentioned earlier, had a rough night in the office.

Two minutes later, the Hoops level the match up on what is a rare feat in soccer. They call it an Olimpico Goal. I did mention the quality that Michel has on set pieces and his inswinger from the near hashmark goes directly into the far corner without touching anybody and the Sounders quickly see their two goal lead slip away with just under a half an hour to go in the match. This isn't the first time Michael Gspurning was on the back end of a Gol Olimpico. Marco Pappa scored one direct off a corner in Seattle's visit to Chicago last season. Again, Olimpico Goals are very rare, although we've seen quite a few in MLS these last couple of years. David Beckham did it a couple years ago when he was still playing for the LA Galaxy. Thierry Henry scored one direct off a corner kick last year. I already mentioned Marco Pappa. And now Michel against the Seattle Sounders.

Now I'm actually going to show you the goal...... mainly because a lot of you don't know what an Olimpico Goal is, so this video should give you an idea.



However, the match was level for only a minute because in the 62nd minute, the Men in Rave Green came right back and got their third. FC Dallas have been sloppy all night in their passing game, struggling to get the ball out of their area and once again they paid the price. Shalrie Joseph fed Lamar Neagle who turned and slid the ball through to Eddie Johnson and EJ made no mistake this time as he dribbled around Raul Fernandez and went Upper-V (which means he struck it inside the top corner of the net) for his second of the game and the Sounders just like that climb back ahead and take a 3-2 lead. This looked like a similar play where Brad Evans missed wide off a through ball from Martinez back in the first half and EJ getting denied in the second half. But this time EJ see that Fernandez is coming off his line to cut down the angle and he dribbles around him and puts it away.

In the 72nd minute, blood was drawn and the outcome was a controversial red card decision. Blas Perez and Leo Gonzalez were both going up for the ball and Perez ends up catching Gonzalez with an elbow, unintentionally though. When they showed the replay, it looked like a dangerous play and that MLS was going to review it during midweek and see if it worthy of a suspension, but when it got back to live action, referee Mark Geiger (who we've have problems with the last few times he officiated matches involving the Sounders) reached for his back pocket and pulled out the red card after a discussion with the fourth official. You see plays like this every time where players accidentally get elbowed while going up in the air for the ball and no red cards were handed out on those plays, so I think the only reason a red card was given is because Gonzalez's face was covered in blood.

In the 83rd the Sounders would get another goal to cap off another big victory. Lamar Neagle whipped in a brilliant left footed cross for Eddie Johnson to headed the ball straight at Raul Fernandez. The ball fell to Brad Evans who slid the ball to the middle for Obafemi Martins to slide it home for his third goal of the season and more importantly, to seal the Sounders third straight win as they defeat FC Dallas 4-2. The Sounders are unbeaten in their last six matches since starting the year 0-3-1 and most people would begin to think that they're a force to be force to be reckoned with up front with Eddie Johnson, Lamar Neagle and now Obafemi Martins.


Scoring summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Eddie Johnson 3 (Osvaldo Alonso 1) 16'

Seattle Sounders FC - Lamar Neagle 3 (Brad Evans 1) 30'

FC Dallas - Kenny Cooper 3 (Michel 4) 54'

FC Dallas - Michel 1 (Unassisted) 61'

Seattle Sounders FC - Eddie Johnson 4 (Lamar Neagle 1) 62'

Seattle Sounders FC - Obafemi Martins 3 (Brad Evans 2) 83'


Misconduct summary:

FC Dallas - London Woodberry (caution; foul) 43'

FC Dallas - Blas Perez (ejection; violent conduct) 73'

Seattle Sounders FC - DeAndre Yedlin (caution; time wasting) 87'


Lineups:

FC Dallas - Raul Fernandez; Zach Loyd, Matt Hedges, London Woodberry (Walker Zimmerman 85'), Jair Benitez; Jackson, Michel, Je-Vaughn Watson; Eric Hassli, Blas Perez, Kenny Cooper (Fabian Castillo 64')

Seattle Sounders FC - Michael Gspurning; DeAndre Yedlin, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Djimi Traore, Leonardo Gonzalez (Zach Scott 78'); Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso (Shalrie Joseph 31'), Servando Carrasco, Mario Martinez (Obafemi Martins 63'); Eddie Johnson, Lamar Neagle

Sounders come away with a point against the New York Red Bulls, 2-2 draw

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders looked to pick up where they left off from their Open Cup semifinal victory against Chivas USA during midweek and pick up three points against the New York Red Bulls in their final trip to the east coast this season, but in the end both teams settled for a point. The Sounders didn't get the win, but they did come away with a valuable road point after a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey. The Sounders return home this Wednesday for a friendly match against European Champions Chelsea. Their next league game won't be until July 28th when they travel to Dicks Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids.

The Sounders had control of this match early on and their first real opportunity came in the 11th minute. Brad Evans fed the ball to Eddie Johnson who did very well to get around Rafa Marquez. Evans continued his run and Johnson found him with a great through ball and Evans had a chance to put it away but Bill Gaudette came out and got a hand to it. This is the second time the Sounders faced Gaudette this season. The first time they faced him was when the LA Galaxy traveled to Seattle. Gaudette, who was acquired a couple days ago from the Galaxy, was making his Red Bulls debut in replace of rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara who was out with a hip injury.

Five minutes later, the Sounders would open the scoring. Adam Johansson joined in on the attack and was found by Ozzie Alonso. Johansson took one touch before setting himself up to whip in a very good cross to the far post and Alvaro Fernandez was there to volley it home for his second goal in as many matches and the Sounders took a 1-0 lead. Brandon Barklage got caught at the wrong place at the wrong time and Johansson read it perfectly and found a wide open Fernandez and there was nothing Bill Gaudette could do there.

In the 21st minute, the Red Bulls had to make a change defensively. Rafa Marquez, who has been criticised by the media all season, left the game with a hip injury and was replaced by Wilman Conde, Jr. After the sub the Red Bulls changed their tactics offensively with Thierry Henry pushing up top. By the way, that was the only sub the Red Bulls made in the game. That just goes to show that head coach Hans Backe doesn't trust his bench.

In the 24th minute, the Red Bulls pulled one back and leveled this match up. Joel Lindpere poked the ball to Connor Lade who maneuvered around Adam Johansson. Lade fed Kenny Cooper who gave it a go from 25 yards out which was punched away by Bryan Meredith, but right there was Sebastien Le Toux to tap home the rebound and level it up on his Red Bulls debut against his old club. Le Toux was acquired by the Red Bulls from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for Dane Richards, so we won't see him in Seattle this year. As a matter of fact, his return to Seattle last year during his time with the Philadelphia Union may be his last visit because his contract expires after this season and there are rumors that suggest that he'll move to Europe during the winter. Anyway, on the play that resulted in the goal. It looked like Marc Burch wasn't paying any attention. You cannot expect Bryan Meredith to do all the dirty work defensively, when he punches the ball aside, somebody has to get over there and clear the ball out of danger.

In the 32nd minute, the mistake nearly led to a Sounders goal. Connor Lade gave the ball straight away to Alvaro Fernandez. Fernandez sent Eddie Johnson away down the left hand side. Johnson put on the breaks and slowed things down before cutting to his right foot and drilling a shot to the far post which forced a big time save from Bill Gaudette. That mistake in the midfield showed that Connor Lade, who signed with the Red Bulls as a homegrown player during the offseason, has quite a bit to work on as the season progresses as well as his young career.

The score remained level until the 61st minute when the New York Red Bulls took advantage of a mistake in the midfield and took a 2-1 lead. The Sounders started the second half with some sloppy passing and the Red Bulls would make them pay as Brandon Barklage found Joel Lindpere who was kept onside by Jeff Parke and Adam Johansson. Lindpere cut inside of Jeff Parke and slid the ball inside the near post for his third goal of the season. You may think that Bryan Meredith could've made the save, but two things here. One, when Lindpere cut to his left foot, Meredith started to cheat toward the far post. And Two, as the shot came in, Meredith was screened by Jeff Parke which resulted in a late reaction by the goalkeeper because he couldn't see where Lindpere was going.

Following that goal, the Sounders brought on Fredy Montero in place of Mauro Rosales and in the 67th minute, the Colombian would make an impact. Adam Johansson found Brad Evans making the good run down the right hand side. Evans squared the ball across for Fredy Montero to slam it home for his fifth goal of the season and his fifth against the New York Red Bulls. There were a few more chances on both ends of the ball, but in the end, the Sounders come away with a good point on the road in a tough venue. They still sit in third place with a record of 8-5-7.


Scoring summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Alvaro Fernandez 2 (Adam Johansson 1) 16'

New York Red Bulls - Sebastien Le Toux 5 (unassisted) 24'

New York Red Bulls - Joel Lindpere 3 (Brandon Barklage 4) 61'

Seattle Sounders FC - Fredy Montero 5 (Brad Evans 1, Adam Johansson 2) 67'


Misconduct summary:

Seattle Sounders FC - Marc Burch (caution; foul) 44'

New York Red Bulls - Connor Lade (caution; foul) 53'

Seattle Sounders FC - Andy Rose (caution; handball) 66'

New York Red Bulls - Thierry Henry (caution; dissent) 74'


Lineups:

Seattle Sounders FC - Bryan Meredith; Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Marc Burch; Brad Evans (Servando Carrasco 85'), Osvaldo Alonso, Andy Rose (Leo Gonzalez 77'), Alvaro Fernandez; Mauro Rosales (Fredy Montero 62'), Eddie Johnson

New York Red Bulls - Bill Gaudette; Brandon Barklage, Markus Holgersson, Rafa Marquez (Wilman Conde 21'), Roy Miller; Joel Lindpere, Dax McCarty, Connor Lade; Sebastien Le Toux, Kenny Cooper, Thierry Henry

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.