MLS Portland Timbers

Timbers Notch Fourth Straight Victory with 1-0 Win over Cascadia-Rival Seattle Sounders FC

Published on May 13, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Timbers defeated Cascadia-rival Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 21,144 fans at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon, with the Timbers recording their fourth straight victory and third consecutive clean-sheet win in league play. Midfielder Sebastián Blanco scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute, notching his team-high fifth goal of the season, while forward Samuel Armenteros recorded his first career MLS assist with the Timbers.

Facing Sounders FC

Sunday's match signified the 100th meeting between Portland and Seattle across all competitions, dating back to 1975. With a 1-0 win on Sunday, Portland continued its strong form against Sounders FC at Providence Park, building its home record in the head-to-head regular-season series to 7-2-3 against its Cascadia rival in MLS. Additionally, the Timbers are now unbeaten in their last five home games (4-0-1) against Sounders FC, dating back to Aug. 24, 2014.

Timbers win streak

With the result, the Timbers recorded their fourth straight win in league play, marking just the second time the club has won four consecutive games in its MLS era, matching a four-game winning streak in the 2015 campaign. Additionally, Portland notched three straight clean-sheet wins for the first time in its MLS era and just the second time across all eras in club history (since 1975).

Blanco's game winner

Scoring the game-winning goal in the 86th minute, Blanco leads all Timbers in scoring this season, with five goals in 2018. With the goal, Blanco became the 63rd Portland player to score against Seattle in a competitive match. Additionally, Blanco's finish was the latest finish for Portland in a match against Seattle since July, 14, 2004.

Key plays

Portland created a strong chance midway through the first half when Blanco powered his way into the box, before driving a pass through the 18-yard box for midfielder Diego Valeri, whose close-range attempt was deflected away from the target in the 26th minute.

In the 58th minute, Portland had a solid opportunity to score after a clever one-two between Valeri and forward Fanendo Adi sprung Valeri inside the 18-yard box for a chance on goal, with the midfielder hitting a shot that forced a deflection via a last-ditch tackle on the edge of the six-yard box.

Continuing to push forward in the second half, the Timbers created another chance to score when midfielder Andy Polo received a pass on the far left side of the box, curling an effort toward the far corner, forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 67th minute.

With seven minutes remaining in the match, Portland came close to breaking through when defender Larrys Mabiala got on the end of Valeri's free kick, nodding the ball just wide of the far post in the 83rd minute.

Just three minutes later, Portland eventually broke through when a well-placed through ball from Armenteros slipped Blanco in behind the defense, with the midfielder cleverly chipping the ball over Frei, who was charging off his line to close down the angle.

Notes:

Sunday's game marked the 128th consecutive sellout for the Timbers at Providence Park.

- A total of 66 goals have been scored between Portland and Seattle in MLS matches between the two clubs, which is the second-most among all MLS fixtures since 2011.

- Portland has won four consecutive matches for the second time in their MLS history, matching a four-game streak from 2015.

- Portland allowed five shots in Sunday's match, which is the second-fewest ever allowed by the club in an MLS match.

- The Timbers have recorded three consecutive shutout victories for the first time in their MLS era and the first time across all eras (since 1975) since a four-game shutout streak in the 2007 campaign (June 28-July 13, 2007).

- Portland hasn't allowed a goal in 296 minutes, dating back to April 14.

- Sebastián Blanco scored his team-high fifth goal of the season.

- Blanco's goal was in the 86th minute, which is the latest game-winning goal for Portland in a match against Seattle since July 14, 2004.

- Blanco is the 63rd different Portland player to score against Seattle in a competitive match across all eras (since 1975).

- Samuel Armenteros recorded his first assist as a Timbers player.

- Diego Valeri played his 157th regular-season match for the Timbers, which ties him for the fourth-most games played in club history with Jack Jewsbury.

Fanendo Adi played his 120th regular-season match for the Timbers, which ties him for the 12th-most games in club history with Rodney Wallace.

- Andy Polo, Cristhian Paredes, Andrés Flores and Samuel Armenteros each made their first appearances in the Timbers/Sounders FC rivalry.

- Goalkeeper Jeff Attinella recorded a seventh clean sheet in his last 12 league games, dating back to the 2017 season.

Next game

Next up, the Timbers will continue their homestand when the team plays host to 2018 expansion club Los Angeles FC at Providence Park on Saturday, May 19. Beginning at 12 noon (Pacific), the match against LAFC will be broadcast live on FOX with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).

Postgame Quote Sheet

Quotes with reaction to the match from coaches and players from both clubs can be accessed when ready.

Video Highlights

Highlights of the match can be viewed.

Portland Timbers (4-3-2, 14pts) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (2-4-2, 8pts)

May 13, 2018 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Seattle Sounders FC 0 0 0

Portland Timbers 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Blanco (Armenteros), 86

Misconduct Summary:

SEA: Delem (Caution) 33

POR: Ridgewell (Caution), 44

SEA: Roldan (Caution), 76

SEA: Wingo (Caution), 82

SEA: Blanco (Caution) 90+6

Lineups:

POR: GK Attinella, D Powell (Asprilla, 86), D Mabiala, D Ridgewell, D Valentin, M Paredes (Flores, 77), M Chara, M Polo, M Valeri ©, M Blanco, F Adi (Armenteros, 77)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Cascante, D Farfan, M Olum

TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Polo, Valeri, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Polo, Blanco, 1); FOULS: 6 (Valeri, 2); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1

SEA: GK Frei, D Tolo (McCrary, 60), D Leerdam, D Kee-Hee (Bwana, 71), D Marshall, M Delem, M Wolff Eikrem (Wingo, 78), M Svensson, M Roldan, M Roldan, F Dempsey

Substitutes Not Used: GK Meredith, D Alfaro, M Shipp, M Neagle

TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Tolo, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Tolo, 1); FOULS: 6 (Roldan, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 1

Referee: Robert Sibiga

Assistant Referees: Jason White, Brian Poeschel

4th Official: Daniel Radford

VAR: Jorge Gonzalez

Attendance: 21,144

Weather: Sunny, 77 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Timbers Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 13, 2018


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