Western Conference Semifinals Leg 2
Seattle Sounders 3 (2) vs Portland Timbers 2 (4)
Century Link Field, Seattle, Washington
In the regular season, the Cascadia Derby is the highlight of all rivalries in all of Major League Soccer; last night this game and rivalry reach its climax with an all-around tug of war between these two foes.
For the Portland Timbers coming with a slight advantage to Seattle after their come from behind win at Providence Park, this affair was far from over as well the outlook of a Seattle squad coming with all its might in the attack.
This is something foreseen by Gio Savarese and company, still the man has all the right moves.
In a match that in the first half saw a total dominance by the local Seattle Sounders but coming short of their objective after these faced a very determined and stubborn Portland defense that did not allowed any liberties to the locals.
However, for the visiting Portland Timbers to consume the feat still these had to play 45 minutes of what looked to be a very challenging and disputed second half, I can say this was a total contest.
As this match in its course and final minutes looked like was seeing a competed game of chess that every move and strategy between Gio Savarese and Brian Schmetzer was vital minute by minute, and in the end the best move was to check mate the win.
Still the pressure put in by the Seattle Sounders attack was exposing the nervousness of the Portland defenders including their goalkeeper Jeff Attinella as their efforts and pressure paid off for the Rave Greens.
After a cross from Victor Rodriguez that Jeff Attinella drop and an opportune Raul Ruidiaz took the ball and score what was the Sounder’s game winner, putting the whole of Century link Park into frenzy.
After the goal the Portland Timbers did not hesitated to start putting on a fight, as I can say these group of individuals we can say are to be called the comeback kids for their resolve, determination, perseverance and persistence.
With a lead and joy that last only ten minutes for the local Rave Greens, immediately the presence of these hardened Timbers was very visible in tier extra efforts in overdrive with a play that saw Sebastian Blanco putting his side ahead with a beauty of a goal.
In the 78’, minute the outlook of a fighting Portland Timbers coming from behind and getting out of the canvas to go for the KO, as the man of the match Dairon Aspirilla pass to well-placed Blanco who became the Seattle worst nightmare.
Very well came a play that could benn the game winner with a shoot from Lucas Melano shoot that Stefan Frei read and prevented the go ahead goal for Portland.
As they, state it is not over until tis over and with the game official adding six minutes of injury time, once again Seattle Raul Ruidiaz scoring in the 90+3 goal to send the game into extra time.
After both sides managers making their substitutions to uplift their game as mentioned in what seemed, in the end for Gio his moves paid off when Lucas Melano, Dairon Aspirlla and Lawrence Olum delivered as expected.
One became the man of the match and valuable despite not making many appearances with the big team in the course of the season, just coring one goal, last night this was his game and the man from Colombia la bella became the game hero.
After scoring in the 93’ in extra time and later his efforts being equaled by an astute Sounders that provoked a penalty and taken by Nicolas Lodeiro to send the game into the always infamous penalties.
However, in the end this brought memories of 2015 when Portland went into eleven rounds to win a contested affair against SKC, this time the Portland squad was a little more confident going into sudden death.
With Lucas Melano, Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco making their goals, contrary were the Sounders Rual Ruidiaz scoring and Will Bruin and Osvaldo Alonso missing, leaving the stage for Timbers defender Liam Ridgewell to seal the deal.
Sill for Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei he had some game in him and prevented the Lad from England of his side celebrations, as Hamawalla Bawana made his shoot, leaving the responsibilities to Dairon Aspirilla.
Memories came back for the Colombian who many doubted of his skills in the campaign but in the end, the man delivered to become the game hero, as you recall he made his shoot in that SKC match in 2015 and today he won the game.
These Portland Timbers rocked this Seattle town once more, in the end the fans were the winners too after exposed to a one of a kind match, congrats to both sides and especially the Portland Timbers consuming the feat!
Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer Photography 2018
Photos Credit and Property of © 2018 Major League Soccer
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