TUKWILA, WASH. – Giuliano Frano and Oalex Anderson scored in the first half of Friday evening’s Cascadia clash between Sounders FC 2 and Portland Timbers 2 at Starfire Stadium, with the host side recording the 2-0 shutout victory. With the three-point result, Sounders FC (11-6-3, 36 points) gains sole possession of first place in the Western Conference table, and ties Eastern Conference leader Rochester Rhinos with 11 wins.
It was the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two sides, with Seattle holding the 4-0-0 advantage, in addition to a 2-1 victory over the Timbers in May during Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. Across all competitions, Seattle has scored exactly two goals in each matchup in the series.
Giuliano Frano began the scoring with a header in the 26th minute. The 22-year-old Canadian, who started at rightback in the fixture, placed a low header into the right corner of the net after leftback Aaron Kovar sent the ball into the area on a free kick from 30 yards out. It was Frano’s second scoring tally of the 2015 campaign, with his other goal also coming at home against Portland on April 11.
In the 32nd minute, forward Oalex Anderson sprung forward on a Seattle counter attack with a 50-yard run along the right flank, cutting Portland’s Harrison Delbridge and finishing with a well-placed strike to the far post. The goal marks Anderson’s fourth of the season.
Goalkeeper Saif Kerwala earned his first shutout – the team’s third shutout against Portland in 2015 and seventh overall. He recorded two saves in the victory, including a diving stop in the 54th minute.
After earning seven points in the past three matches, Sounders FC visits defending champion Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday, August 1. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. PT.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |2-0| Portland Timbers 2
Friday, July 24, 2015
Venue: Starfire Stadium
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistants: John Krill, Christian Clerc
Fourth Official: Charles Spaniola
Attendance: 2,469
Weather: Cloudy and 71 degrees
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Giuliano Frano (Aaron Kovar) 26’
SEA – Oalex Anderson 32’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR – Harrison Delbridge (caution) 25’
SEA – Duncan McCormick (caution) 27’
SEA – Ashani Fairclough (caution) 55’
SEA – Amadou Sanyang (caution) 64’
SEA – Aaron Long (caution) 66’
POR – Rundell Winchester (caution) 77’
SEA – Sam Garza (caution) 77’
POR – Fatawu Safiu (caution) 89’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Saif Kerawala; Giuliano Frano, Nick Miele, Ashani Fairclough, Aaron Kovar; Duncan McCormick (Lorenzo Ramos 61’), Amadou Sanyang – captain, Aaron Long, Sam Garza; Pablo Rossi, Oalex Anderson (Diego Silvas 83’)
Substitutes not used: Tor Saunders, Nate Tongovula
Total shots: 7
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 11
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 2
Portland Timbers 2 – Justin Luthy; Andy Thoma, Rennico Clarke, Harrison Delbridge, Jeanderson (Blake Bodily 74’); Nick Besler, Tim Payne, Seth Casiple (Kharlton Belmar 46’), Rundell Winchester; Steven Evans, Fatawu Safiu
Substitutes not used: Dan Withrow, Anthony Manning, Matt Rose, Terrell Lowe, Santi Biglieri
Total shots: 10
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 16
Offside: 5
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 1
