How sweet it is the thrill of victory and agony of defeat over your archrivals as the Portland Timbers delivered an upset today at Century Link Park in Seattle, scoring a big win in their favor thanks to Felipe Mora’s third goal of the season.
Very well seeing how Eryk Williamson opened the scoring with a combination between him and El Maestro Diego Valeri, as the Timbers Talisman showing his usual ability and magic. The Timbers’ first score came through a one-two punch to open the scoreboard with just nine minutes in the game.
That lifted the Timbers playing on the road and coming with the labels of underdogs. Fortunately, they did not play like that and showed heart and spirit to finally get their first win of the season after the post-MLS is Back Tournament.
In a game much dominated by the Sounders in the field and statistically, it was the Rose City team that made the best of this game and converted at the right time.
Still, the team saw how they carried the likes of Sebastian Blanco, one of its most valuable playmakers lately off of the field with an injury in his right knee, and who knows for how long.
Somehow, the entire defensive unit showed up and delivered a good game frustrating the likes the Rave Greens’ big guns. The Sounders were not able to capitalize on any open opportunity as Timbers keeper Steve Clark rose to the occasion.
Though the Timbers backline played well, there are still things to refine as Kelvim Leerdam’s equalizer showed.
Eryk Williamson is doing a superb job alongside we can state his mentor Diego Chara, defensively.
These two are connecting in a way that is becoming a nightmare for opposing teams’ strikers and derailing their offensive display rapidly seeing it as the 1-2 punch the Timbers needed in its defensive midfield.
Despite Seattle’s dominance in the stats and in the first half, defensively the Timbers rose to the occasion, and players of the likes of Julio Cascante somehow connected very well with Dario Zuparic.
We can state how sweet it is for the Portland Timbers to earn tier first of the season after several setbacks and two hurtful losses, one of them a rout by these Seattle Sounders at Providence Park.
The Timbers rose to the occasion by returning the favor with a valuable win over the Sounders in an empty CenturyLink Park in Seattle.
The highlight of this game besides the win comes for Gio Savarese digging deep in his lineup and finding the ideal substitutes. With both Marvin Loria and Julio Cascante, his side found the right pair and delivered.
Now the Portland Timbers get ready for their next match against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles and three days later going to San Jose to face the Earthquakes.
Goals
Eryk Williamson 9’ PTFC, Kelvin Leerdam 42’ SS, Felipe Mora 83’ PTFC
Highlights
Eryk Williamson good performance and his first goal as a starter and an assist.
Felipe Mora scoring late in the game what became the game-winner and his third goal of the season.
Diego Chara delivering a defensive gem of a game, but will miss his next match due to yellow cards.
Diego Valeri played like a true Maestro with his assist for the Timbers first goal.
Julio Cascante played a good defensive game and almost scoring a goal.
The defensive game passes a tough test after Seattle dominated it, but the backfield came through.
Marvin Loria becoming an important part of the lineup as starter or substitute.
Jeremy Ebobisse adapting easily to his new winger position and becoming a serious threat offensively.
Steve Clark had a good game with 2 saves.
Jaroslaw Niezgoda near goal and efforts all game long.
Man, of the Match
Eryk Williamson and Felipe Mora
