Portland Timbers 0, Seattle Sounders 1
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
The granddaddy of all Major League Soccer Derbies had an unfair ending, if not cruel, for the local Portland Timbers looking forward to snap their three game losing streaks, with a win over the Seattle Sounders.
Contrary to the visiting Rave Greens coming from a momentum high six game winning streak, a win in their house of horrors Providence Park would uplift this squad all around confidence in the remainder of this campaign.
In this match, the Portland Timbers celebrated the return of Liam Ridgewell to the starting lineup after an injury that sidelined him since May; his return for sure was very viable after the Portland defensive game got the uplift it needed from his leadership.
In addition, of the Portland Timbers playing an amazing game in both halves and with total control of it and displaying a lot of initiative in the offensive attack with several opportunities wasted, for Gio is back to the drawing board.
After his post-match press conference, manager Savarese expressed his dissatisfaction and frustration after his squad loss endured against one of their most contested of foes the Seattle Sounders.
After his squad taking control of the game from the beginning and not allowing any liberties to Seattle, top playmakers in Nicolas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz, Harry Shipp and Cristian Roldan.
On the Portland side hard at work were Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco creating opportunities that in the end Samuel Armenteros under the Rave Greens defensive shield these exercised on him all night he was unable to put any of his finishing touches.
With the final tally of shoots from Portland of 22 in total to just six of Seattle and without any efforts the Emerald City squad found the right time to put the score in their favor by putting a little pressure on the Portland defense and Julio Cascante own goal for the lone score.
A match that should been won by the Portland Timbers in need of a win and now adding this loss that extends their streak to four games and with another three game stand on Wednesday at home against the Toronto FC and in the weekend flying to New England.
Not easy, the upcoming task of manager Savarese to regroup his chaps and shake that negative streak that so far has put this group below the red line for the first time since April but do not count these Timbers out.
However, the remainder games will have the tone of a grand finale as every point and winning will, count dearly for these Portland Timbers being down in the canvas these will get up and deliver a grand campaign.
Especially if they continue to display the game they put on today in Providence Park with a finish in the offensive game and raising their defensive game with the leadership of Liam Ridgewell in the initial eleven.
In the end the Seattle Sounders played an intelligent game and waitng of the right moment for the kill as the opportune moment came when these made the Portland defense stumble in the 76’ minute with that own goal.
As stated by Gio nothing comes freely in soccer you have to earn it and from now on, these Portland Timbers have the opportunity with two challenges on midweek against another streaking Toronto FC.
Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of Diego Diaz Photography 2018
Photos Credit and Property of © 2018 Major League Soccer
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