The greatest rivalry in American soccer is set to resume on Sunday as the Seattle Sounders venture south to take on the Portland Timbers. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT at Providence Park on Sunday, August 23.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2020 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 2-1-2 (8 points, 5th West), Timbers 3-1-1 (10, 3rd West)
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Seattle: LWLDD, Portland: WWWWD
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 11-8-6 all-time against the Timbers in MLS play, including a 4-6-3 mark on the road.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Mired in a string of disappointing results, the Sounders travelled down to Portland for a pivotal contest against the Timbers at Providence Park. The already intense rivalry match carried added importance, as a win would see Seattle break a four-match winless skid and secure the Cascadia Cup for the second consecutive season. The Sounders raced out of the gates, with Jordan Morris having an absolute field day down the left wing, and eventually drew first blood as Cristian Roldan poached a goal at the back post. Protecting a 1-0 lead, Raúl Ruidíaz iced the match with a powerful first-time finish into the top corner after a bit of individual magic from Morris to set up the chance.
MLS IS BACK: Sunday’s fixture is the third return to play for the Sounders this season after their run to the quarter finals at the MLS is Back Tournament. Portland will be looking to ride the momentum following their 2-1 win over Orlando City SC in the MLS is Back title match.
DEJA VU: Sunday marks the one year-anniversary of the last time Seattle played Portland – a 2-1 victory for the Rave Green at Providence Park.
RICH HISTORY: One of the longest-standing rivalries in North America, the Sounders and Timbers have faced off 107 times across all competitions and iterations of professional soccer in the United States.
PNW DOMINANCE: Seattle and Portland aren’t just the preeminent rivalry in the league – the two PNW clubs have been the standard bearers for success on the pitch over the last seven years. Since 2015, the MLS Cup final has featured either the Sounders or Timbers every single year, with Seattle picking up two stars and Portland winning one. Add in the Rave Green’s Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup double in 2014, as well as Portland’s MIB Tournament title, and you’ve got a track record of utter domination.
NEW FACES, SAME RIVALRY: After their exit from the MLS is Back Tournament, the squad has had ample time to recover from a string of injuries, meaning players like João Paulo and Yeimar Gómez could get their first introduction to the rivalry.
SWEET STEFAN FREI: Stefan Frei has been a beast against the Timbers, posting a 9-5-4 record in the regular season with five clean sheets and 65 saves.
