SEATTLE -- Stefan Frei dug deep to make five huge saves for the Seattle Sounders as the Rave Green managed to grit their way, 2-1 by their bitter Cascadia rivals, the Portland Timbers.
Frei was an easy pick for Man of the Match, acrobatically stopping numerous prime opportunities for the Timbers and making smart soccer decisions to ensure the optimal outcome for his defense.
Gritty First Half Ends Favorably For Seattle
Seattle's two goals came in very controversial and physical fashion, both in the first half. Obafemi Martins escaped from a skirmish in Seattle's attacking box for a clear chance at Adam Kwarasey's net, a chance he would not pass up. The Nigerian international put a left-footed strike into the front right corner of the goal to make it 1-0 after 6 minutes.
The Timbers undisputedly played better soccer in that first half, striking 13 shots (five on target) at Stefan Frei and creating numerous prime chances. It's been a problem all season long for Portland, converting their many shot attempts.
Portland lead Major League Soccer in shots, yet are 19th of 20 teams in goals scored, showing how poorly inaccurate their play has been around net. It showed in front of CenturyLink Field's 64,000 Sunday afternoon, as multiple crucial chances that should have ended as goals instead were left unconverted.
Diego Valeri set up the majority of Portland's chances, most notably a through ball for Lucas Melano midway through the first 45. Melano had a one-on-one with Frei, and instead of weaving his way past the goalkeeper to equalize he had a poor attempt wonderfully saved by Frei.
To add insult to injury in that first half, Oba Martins drew a controversial penalty on a foul in the box by Adam Kwarasey. Irregardless of the ruling's legitimacy, captain Brad Evans stepped up for Seattle and buried the penalty to gain a 2-0 lead for the Sounders before half time.
Strong Second-Half Push Not Enough For Timbers
Valeri finally got his team on the scoreboard in the second half, whipping in a flawless 58th-minute corner to the boot of Jack Jewsbury, who easily finished the opportunity to slice the Sounders' lead in half.
After that point, the unluckiness resumed for Portland, numerous chances amounting to nothing. Prior to the goal, just a few minutes into the second half, Valeri had fed a ball in to George Fochive on the right side of the box with a perfect angle at net. However, Fochive took a bad first touch and his cross was cleared away questionably by Oniel Fisher.
Melano got another chance in the 78th minute with a wide-open overhead attempt that curved wide left of the target. Seattle's defense kept their composure up until stoppage time.
Jewsbury got another great chance in the final minutes, with a one-touch strike on the right side that was sensationally blocked and cleared by the Sounders defenders. Dairon Asprilla missed another stoppage time chance, and as the clock hit three minutes of stoppage time, Chad Marshall was called for a foul atop the penalty area to give Diego Valeri a final chance to save a point for the Timbers.
Not The Result Portland Was Looking For; Certainly Just That For Sounders FC
Valeri stepped up to take the short free kick, but his attempt caromed off the top of Seattle's wall to end the match. At the final whistle, the Sounders had escaped with a crucial three MLS points, a win over their historic archrivals, and some pride and celebration to go along with it.
Those three points put Seattle in a great position to make a run in the final weeks of regular season MLS action, as Clint Dempsey is soon to return from injury. With 38 points, Sigi Schmid's side is right on the edge of playoff contention, and should be able to develop a run up the standings if they are able to kindle the flame they've made over these past few games.
Portland came out with an unsatisfying loss in Seattle, as they won the shots battle 20 to six, and really outworked the Sounders. However, Roman Torres, Oniel Fisher, Chad Marshall, and Tyrone Mears held a sturdy enough back line that prevented all but one score.
All that matters come playoff time is whether you're in or not. If Seattle can notch a hot streak to end their season, look out MLS. Sigi, Oba, and crew mean business.