The greatest rivalry in American soccer is set to resume this weekend.
On Saturday, the Seattle Sounders will make the short trip south to visit the Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV app) at Providence Park. It’s always a can’t-miss event whenever the Sounders and Timbers take the pitch. Here are five reasons to watch the first meeting of the 2023 season between the two storied rivals this weekend.
Rich History
While the MLS era of this rivalry only began in 2011, the Sounders-Timbers derby actually dates back to 1975 in the NASL. Since that first fateful match, Seattle has posted a 56-45-15 record against Portland across all iterations of this fixture.
As MLS has grown and expanded over the last decade, new rivalries have emerged across the league. But Sounders vs. Timbers is just different. With decades of history under their belts, there are countless iconic moments and unforgettable heroes and villains on both sides. You won’t want to miss out as these two clubs write the next chapter in this storied matchup on Saturday.
Rivalry Revenge
Last year marked the first time in the MLS era that the Timbers swept the Sounders across all competitions. After Portland picked up a 3-0 win at Lumen Field on July 9, they managed to secure a 2-1 comeback win over Seattle at Providence Park on August 21. The Sounders will look to exact some measure of revenge this weekend with a strong performance and positive result against their storied foe.
Make a Statement
A quick glance at the league standings shows two sides heading in opposite directions, with the Sounders at the top of the Western Conference and the Timbers sitting in 12th. But when it comes to heated rivalries like this, you can throw out the record books. These matches are never easy to predict, but one thing is certain: there will be plenty of fireworks and dramatic twists when these two teams take the pitch.Â
Iron Sharpens Iron
One of the most exciting developments in the early parts of this season has been the sheer number of starting-quality players on the roster. The club returned the entire starting group that became the first MLS club to win Concacaf Champions League last season. The emergence of guys like Léo Chú, Jackson Ragen and Josh Atencio, coupled with the addition of offseason signing Héber, makes this one of the deepest rosters in recent memory.
With so much depth and tactical flexibility, the Sounders enter this weekend’s fixture capable of winning in multiple ways. Moreover, they have the personnel to make in-game adjustments to exploit any weaknesses the Timbers present.Â
Valuable Test
A recurring theme throughout the Rave Green’s red-hot start to the season has been learning from the disappointment of the 2022 season, in which the club failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in the MLS era. The talk of bouncing back from the shortcomings of last year has quickly shifted to proving Seattle can compete for trophies across numerous competitions in 2023. In that regard, picking up three points against a bitter rival on the road would be a significant benchmark for a Sounders side with title ambitions.Â
