Frei’s performance between the posts was essential to the Sounders’ victory on Sunday. Photo by Nick Danielson.
Sounders Player Ratings
By Mark Lee
Stefan Frei – 8. Frei produced two huge saves in the 10 minutes following the Sounders’ first goal. These saves not only preserved the lead, but helped get the crowd involved in the game during a period where Portland were on the front foot. Both saves are shoe-in contenders for save of the week. Excellent game, had no fault in the one goal allowed.
Tyrone Mears – 6. Mears was constantly pushing up the flank and creating problems for the Timbers’ left wing, but his final ball generally lacked threat. Played well defensively, but a slip-up in the second half could have proved costly if Jack McInerney hadn’t squandered his chance. If his service can improve, the Sounders will terrorize teams down both wings.
Brad Evans – 6. Solid in the back and provider of the assist on Cristian Roldan’s goal, Evans’ only downfall was a lack of concentration on some passes out of the back. While the Timbers didn’t capitalize on his mistakes, he’ll need to sharpen up some of his distribution to avoid being punished in the future.
Chad Marshall – 6. The general consensus was that Marshall’s most difficult task in the match against the Timbers would be dealing with Fanendo Adi. However, with McInerney starting in Fanendo Adi’s place, Marshall was free to rule the air in the back line. With the exception of slack team defending on the last-minute goal, no glaring mistakes means Marshall’s usually steady play earned him this rating.
Joevin Jones – 5. Jones was guilty of multiple sloppy passes, including one that gifted Portland a clear opportunity to even up the score at 1-1. He can thank Stefan Frei (and McInerney) for sparing his blushes. Misplaced passes aside, Jones continued to get into the attack well and mirrored the threat of Mears on the opposite wing.
Nicolas Lodiero – 6. Lodiero misplaced more passes than most of his teammates in the final third, but that’s not a huge worry coming from a creative player trying to probe the defense and find that killer ball. Even though he wasn’t at his best, the Sounders’ number 10 provided endless energy and his set-piece delivery is as dangerous as anyone’s.
Ozvaldo Alonso – 7. Between Alonso and Roldan, Darlington Nagbe only managed one speculative shot . Alonso contributed his usual hard-nosed defending, read the game well to break up attacks, launched counter-attacks, and moved the ball well to help Sounders dominate possession. He even came close to a goal of his own with a fantastic strike from distance early on.
Cristian Roldan had one of his best performances in a Sounders kit against Portland. Photo by Max Aquino.
Cristian Roldan – 9. What can you say about Roldan’s game? He covered almost every inch of the field, worked defensively with Alonso to prevent Portland’s attack through the middle, kept possession nicely, and had a hand in all three goals – drawing a penalty for the first, assisting the second, and scoring the third himself. Roldan has impressed this season for the Sounders, and the game against the Timbers was his best yet.
Andreas Ivanschitz – 5. Little to no impact in the game, Ivanschitz was the first man to be subbed off for the Sounders. He showed good energy and didn’t make any costly errors, but failed to make much of a mark before making way for Erik Friberg in the 70th minute.
Clint Dempsey – 8. This was the Clint Dempsey that Sounders fans hoped to see on a more regular basis. He still looked disinterested at times, but with two goals and multiple chances created you can hardly argue with his output. If Dempsey can stay involved and show the same energy, there’s no doubt that he will be a key figure in the push towards the playoffs.
Jordan Morris staving off multiple defenders. His runs helped the Sounders pose a continuous threat going forward. Photo by Matt Warso.
Jordan Morris – 7. It’s rare that you see a 7 given to a player who missed two or three golden opportunities, but the energy and work-rate that he provided earns him this rating. This was exemplified by a 70-yard run through multiple defenders in which he won the ball back twice before drawing a free kick in a dangerous area. To top it off, it was his run that isolated Dempsey for the Sounders’ second goal. Add more clinical finishing and Morris could have been the man of the match.
Subs:
Erik Friberg – N/A
Oalex Anderson – N/A
About Mark: Grew up in a family that only followed baseball, basketball, and football – quickly converted them all to soccer fans. Played soccer growing up, played soccer in college at Pacific Lutheran University, and still play soccer in multiple Seattle leagues. Have been an Arsenal fan since the Invincibles, and a Sounders fan since their founding as an MLS team.
