Photo Credit: Oklahoma City Energy FC
Portland Timbers 2 (4-3-2, 14pts) face Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders 2 (2-5-1, 7pts), Saturday, in Tacoma.
While Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders play for the 100th time this weekend, the diminutive T2-S2 Cascadia Derby will reach a dozen matches Saturday. Of the 11 matches already played, S2 have never lost, winning 10 and drawing one.
Portland and Seattle opened their 2018 campaigns against each other in Tacoma. The result was a 2-1 win for S2. Despite forward Augustine Williams scoring in 30th minutes for T2, S2 was able two secure a win. Seattle scored twice in two minutes just before halftime. The first was a converted penalty kick from forward Felix Chenkam and second came from winger Nicholas Hinds.
With only one win in their last seven matches and a record of 1-3-1 in their last five, Seattle enter in poor form.
Seattle fell to Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 last time out. Republic FC scored in the 41st minute, but Seattle levelled in the 61st, behind a goal from Chenkam. S2 would eventually lose after former T2 attacking midfielder Villyan Bijev’s 82nd minute shot deflected off the post and off the back of S2 goalkeeper Bryan Meredith and into the net.
Chenkam has been the star man for S2. After his goal against Sacramento, the 19-year-old now has four on the year. His total is closely trailed by 30-year-old David Estrada. The former MLS Sounder has three goals on the season.
Despite their history, T2 will be hopeful of earning a result against Seattle. Portland is in decent form, winning three of their last five. A draw the last time out against Saint Louis FC, however, was disappointing, as T2 struggled to breakdown a disciplined defensive side.
T2 may have lost their first meeting against S2 this season, but they looked strong doing it, outside of the inexplicable two goals in two minutes. Williams opened his account in the match and forward Jeremy Ebobisse threatened to all match.
Portland has bolstered their attack since that match. Recent arrival Marvin Loria and first team players on loan Jack Barmby and Victor Arboleda have found success on the wings, but early on fullback Harold Hanson was played as a winger out of necessity. T2 has also seen the introduction of Eryk Williamson to the midfielder. The 20-year-old American has been a consistent performer and the engine in the center of the pitch for Portland.
Forwards Darixon Vuelto and Jeremy Ebobisse both missed the previous two matches due to injuries. The return of either would boost T2’s chances for a positive result.
Watch online on ESPN+, Saturday, 5 p.m. PST.
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