No Timbers upset after a last minute Sounders comeback

No win for the Rose City Boys after a last minute stunner on injury time by Providence Park not so favorite Sounder, Clint Dempsey, getting the best of Timbers defender Amobi Okugo and pushing in what become the equalizer.

Once again, this edition of the Cascadia Derby saw two titans playing very conservatively in the beginning but when opportunity knocked   for these to get closer into each other’s goals.

With a record setting heatwave in Portland and a match rescheduled in the evening.

Both squads were looking desperately for a win, in what we are accustomed to see in these Cascadia Derbies as a contested affair.

With neither squad having any advantage to one another and both carrying a tough campaign in their shoulders.

For the Portland Timbers, looking forward to a win and erase that recent two game skid on the road. 

A win on Sunday would lift their spirits and turn their campaign around for the best.

Still the game had a turn for the worst for the locals, when an opportune Joevin Jones taking a rebound and pushing the ball in the 27 minute to beat Portland's keeper Jake Gleeson, to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

Despite the score by the visitors, the colossus of Morrison Street did not stood silent but overcome the moment and in its North stands its faithful continue with chants and never stopped supporting its Boys.

 

The PTFC came on strong and looking for ways to even the game before the end of the half. 

Here in the 45 minute- with a play in the area by Darlington Nagbe making a bold move to score, he was trip inside by Brad Evans and with the referee in position, he did not hesitated to award the locals with a  penalty.

As for Brad Evans seeing a red card and an ejection, leaving the Seattle squad with just ten men in favor for the locals, to open up the second half with a possible rally for the Rose City squad. 

With Faneando Adi taking over to in the box to take care of the penal, he successfully converted to beat a wall in Stephan Frei and put the score even at one goal apiece.

After that hydration break and some injuries, the referee added four extra minutes in the clock and later the Portland squad took advantage. With a play in a corner kick, Darion Aspirilla beat his marker Gustav Svensson in the 49 minute via a header.

Putting the local Timbers up the score and closing the first half with a 2-1 and one goal lead.

On the second half, the Timbers had the upper hand in the match in the early minutes but not being ambitious enough to seal the deal. 

As opportunities came around for the local Timbers eleven, these did not get the best of its Seattle foes.

In the case of the visitors, these waiting for the right moment, after seeing their hosts not poise to wrap this match and lacking a hunger and playing sluggish in the majority of the second half.

Once again the Portland Timbers did not rise to the occasion.

Here Seattle Sounders Boss Brian Schmetzer,  played his cards right with a notable move that became the right element for his Rave Greens when substituted Jordan Morris for Clint Dempsey in the 56.

Generating more depth in his attack.

Another move came with Joevin Jones a minute later for Nouhou Tolo, as these were enough to spark the Sounders attack and making a total impact in the game.

For Timbers Boss Caleb Porter making a response in his initial eleven by substituting Darren Mattocks for Darlington Nagbe in the 72' and later Ben Zemanski came for Diego Valeri in the 92'.

The moves at the end were not impacting to make an spectacular football for the Timbers, these usually display, on these matches.

However, with the overall stats favoring the Portland Timbers, these could not capitalize in putting away this match, like the way Deuce Dempsey and old foe knows how to do it here in Providence Park.

Opportune, miraculous or spoiler were the adjectives for Dempsey after his header even the score and with no opportunity for the locals to mount an attack and look for the go ahead goal in the end.

Once again delivering in the clutch and this time was the Sounders turn to take advantage of injury time to even the score at 2 goals apiece and sharing the points.

A draw with the essence of a loss for the Portland Timbers after almost edging a valuable win and an upset over their I-5 foes.

Despite the draw, a point is a point and the Portland Timbers are situated on third spot with 25 points.

For the Seattle Sounders, still below the red line with 21 points.

At the end, after braving the heatwave, one of the highlights of the game besides a very disputed match, we had a one of a kind Tifo, created by the Timbers Army, a grand work of art.

 Happy Birthday Timber Joey!

 

Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved

Photos Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Craig Mitchelldyer 2017

                       

Photos Credit and Property of © 2017 Major League Soccer