It was an entertaining second half at Providence Park as Seattle Sounders ran out 2-1 winners against the Portland Timbers. After Diego Valeri had a penalty kick saved on 55 minutes. Less than ten minutes later, Raúl Ruidiaz showed him how it was done from the spot, converting after he had been brought down in the area.
Fredy Montero headed Seattle further in front on 79 minutes to ensure the points went to the Sounders, with Bill Tuiloma’s free kick in stoppage time proving to be just a consolation.
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Story of the match
The best chance of the opening stages fell to the Sounders. João Paulo played the ball in behind for Will Bruin, who controlled the ball well on his chest before firing across goal. Ruidiaz, however, couldn’t direct his shot goalwards and the ball went out for a goal kick.
Seattle were getting joy down Portland’s right hand side and they almost went ahead five minutes later. Brad Smith pushed on and crossed, only for Cristian Roldan to head just wide from 12 yards.
Nouhou Tolo went into the book for a cynical challenge on Diego Chará before Marvin Loría was booked for a late tackle on Kelyn Rowe. There was certainly no love lost between these two close rivals, but it was still goalless at the break.
Half time: Timbers 0-0 Sounders
On 55 minutes, Shane O’Neill tried to make up for his poor pass out from the back, but fouled Jeremy Ebobisse. The referee gave a penalty, and it was Stefan Frei who was the hero for the away side. He saved with his legs to deny Valeri. VAR ordered a retake, however - which Valeri put into the net after hitting the post, therefore not counting. Remarkably, the score remained 0-0 on the hour mark.
Soon after, Ruidiaz showed the Timbers how to score from the spot. He rolled the ball into the corner, giving Jeff Attinella no chance and notching his fifth goal of the season.
Fredy Montero came on as a substitute not long after, and it didn’t take him long to get onto the score sheet. He headed in from a curling free kick, and despite Timbers’ claims for offside, the goal was given.
The home side did get one back in stoppage time though a superb free kick from Bill Tuiloma but it had no effect on the score line.