SEATTLE, WASH. - Cristian Roldan scored his sixth goal of the season as Seattle Sounders FC (11-7-9, 42 points) drew 1-1 with Cascadia rival Portland Timbers (11-9-8, 41 points) Sunday evening in front of 51,796 fans on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. The draw extends Seattle's club-record unbeaten run to 11 matches (6-0-5) and maintains its pole position in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Timbers. With an upcoming week off due to a scheduled FIFA international break, Sounders FC returns to action on Sunday, September 10 to host the LA Galaxy in a nationally televised matchup on FS1.
Seattle struck first in the 18th minute courtesy of Roldan's sixth goal of the season, and second of 2017 against the Timbers. Nicolás Lodeiro's corner kick was partially cleared by Portland goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, creating a scramble inside the six-yard-box. Following several touches by both teams, Roldan settled the ball at his feet and delivered a low, line-drive into the back of the net.
The Timbers equalized in first-half stoppage time via a penalty kick after Darren Mattocks was fouled inside the area on a breakaway. Diego Valeri converted the ensuing spot-kick past Stefan Frei for his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
After Sunday's result, Sounders FC remains in second in the 2017 Cascadia Cup standings with six points (1-1-3), two points shy of Portland for first place. Seattle's last Cascadia Cup match of the season comes on September 27 against Vancouver at CenturyLink Field.
Following a stretch of three matches in eight days, Seattle now is set for a week off from MLS action during the upcoming FIFA international break, with nine Sounders FC players called into national team duty. Brian Schmetzer's club returns to league play on Sunday, September 10 with a nationally televised home matchup against the LA Galaxy on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (6:00 p.m. PT / FS1, 107.7 The End, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 - Portland Timbers 1
Saturday, August 27, 2017
Venue:
Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field
Referee:
Mark Geiger
Assistants:
Frank Anderson, Logan Brown
Fourth Official:
Baboucarr Jallow
VAR:
Victor Rivas
Attendance:
51,796
Weather:
78 degrees and mostly sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA -
Cristian Roldan 18'
POR
- Diego Valeri (penalty) 45'+2'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR -
Sebastian Blanco (caution) 20'
POR
- Lawrence Olum (caution) 70'
SEA
- Nouhou (ejection) 90'+3'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Román Torres, Chad Marshall, Nouhou; Osvaldo Alonso - captain; Cristian Roldan, Nicolás Lodeiro, Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris (Lamar Neagle 83'); Will Bruin (Victor Rodriguez 61')
Substitutes not used: Tyler Miller, Aaron Kovar, Tony Alfaro, Jordy Delem, Oniel Fisher
Total shots:
17 (Roldan, 4)
Shots on goal:
6 (Roldan, 3)
Fouls:
14 (Lodeiro, 3)
Offside:
1 (Bruin, 1)
Corner-kicks:
2 (Lodeiro/Rodriguez, 1)
Saves:
2 (Frei, 2)
Portland Timbers - Jeff Attinella; Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Roy Miller, Vytas Andriuskevicius; Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe, Dairon Asprilla (Lawrence Olum 61'), Deigo Valeri - captain, Sebastian Blanco; Darren Mattocks (Jeremy Ebobisse 76')
Substitutes not used: Kendall McIntosh, Alvas Powell, Ben Zemanski, Amobi Okugo, Victor Arboleda
Total shots:
15 (Blanco, 4)
Shots on goal:
3 (Valeri, 2)
Fouls:
14 (Blanco, 4)
Offside:
0
Corner-kicks:
6 (Valeri, 6)
Saves:
5 (Attinella, 5)
MATCH NOTES
- With 42 points (11-7-9), Sounders FC remains in the pole position atop the Western Conference table, one point ahead of Portland. Seven matches remain in the 2017 campaign.
- Sounders FC currently has a 11-match unbeaten streak (6-0-5), a club-record mark that dates back to June 17. The current mark surpassed the previous club record of nine set from May 28 - July 16, 2011.
- After Sunday's result, Sounders FC remains in second in the 2017 Cascadia Cup standings with six points (1-1-3), two points shy of Portland for first place. Seattle's last Cascadia Cup match of the season comes on September 27 against Vancouver at CenturyLink Field.
- Cristian Roldan's first-half strike is his sixth of the season - extending his career high - and second of 2017 against the Timbers. Roldan scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Seattle win over Portland at CenturyLink Field on May 27.
- Sunday marks the fourth match across all competitions this season between Seattle and Portland, with the Rave Green holding a 2-0-2 advantage. Sounders FC is now 9-5-5 all-time against the Timbers in MLS play. In 99 all-time meetings between Seattle and Portland dating back to 1975, Seattle holds a 50-35-14 advantage.
- Tonight's attendance of 51,796 marks the 159th consecutive sellout at CenturyLink Field, as well as the 28th time the crowd has surpassed 45,000. In those matches, Sounders FC's record is 20-3-5.
