TUCSON, ARIZ. – Cristian Roldan and Handwalla Bwana scored as Seattle Sounders FC defeated Cascadia rival Portland Timbers 2-1 in a preseason friendly Saturday evening at Kino Sports Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. This marks the second consecutive win of the 2018 preseason presented by adidas, following a 3-1 win over the Club Tijuana U-20 side on January 28. Brian Schmetzer’s club returns to action tomorrow with a closed-door scrimmage against Columbus Crew SC at the University of Arizona.
With lineups for both sides featuring a number full-strength players, Seattle and Portland renewed their longtime Cascadia rivalry in the desert, with the Rave Green wasting little time drawing first blood. After Harry Shipp placed an initial shot on-goal that produced a point-blank save from Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Antinella, returning United States Men’s National Team midfielder Cristian Roldan bullied his way through the scrum, placing a shot into the back of Portland’s net for his first preseason strike of 2018. The goal came in the match’s ninth minute of play.
Both sides traded blows throughout the first half, with one of Portland’s best chances coming in the 19th minute, as Larrys Mabiala forced Stefan Frei into a punching save. The Seattle netminder preserved his side’s lead by denying the Frenchman.
However, Portland was able to capitalize five minutes later, this time with Diego Valeri leading the line. The Timbers playmaker was played into goal by fellow attacker Sebastián Blanco, converting his shot to make the score one goal apiece.
After wholesale changes to his lineup in the 62nd minute, Brian Schmetzer’s second unit grabbed the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute. New Homegrown signing Handwalla Bwana netted his second goal of preseason play after scoring on January 28 against Club Tijuana’s U-20 side. Midfielder Zach Mathers earned the assist Bwana’s strike.
Sounders FC’s 2018 preseason presented by adidas continues tomorrow with a friendly against Columbus Crew SC at the University of Arizona. Prior to the MLS regular season starting on March 4, Sounders FC is set to face Salvadoran club Santa Tecla FC in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, the region's premier club championship, with the first leg in El Salvador on February 22 and the second leg at CenturyLink Field on March 1. Sounders FC season tickets are still available, including new 2018 seating options in the 300-level, as well single-match tickets for each of Seattle's home matches. For complete information, details and pricing on 2018 Sounders FC season tickets, fans should visit SoundersFC.com/tickets, call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Portland Timbers 1
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Venue:
Kino Sports Complex I Tucson, Arizona
Weather:
70 degrees and clear
Attendance:
2,931
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA –
Cristian Roldan 9’
POR –
Diego Valeri (Sebastián Blanco) 24’
SEA –
Handwalla Bwana (Zach Mathers) 74’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR –
Fanendo Adi (caution) 20’
POR –
David Guzmán (caution) 23’
SEA –
Jordy Delem (caution) 33’
SEA –
Zach Mathers (caution) 74’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC– Stefan Frei (Calle Brown^ 62’); Kelvin Leerdam (Denso Ulysse+ 62’), Chad Marshall (Aiden McGlothan^ 62’), Tony Alfaro (Rodrigue Ele+ 62’), Waylon Francis (Khai Brisco* 62’); Jordy Delem (Ray Saari+ 62’), Harry Shipp (Ray Serrano* 62’), Cristian Roldan (Dylan Teves* 62’), Nicolás Lodeiro (Zach Mathers 62’); Jordan Morris (Seyi Adekoya 62’), Will Bruin (Handwalla Bwana 62’)
+
Player currently signed to S2 roster
*
Sounders FC Academy player
^
Guest player
Portland Timbers First Half – Jeff Attinella (Kendall McIntosh HT); Alvas Powell (Zarek Valentin 40’), Larrys Mabiala (Julio Cascante HT), Liam Ridgewell (Bill Tuiloma HT), Vytas (Marco Farfan); Lawrence Olum (Andres Flores HT), David Guzman (Cristhian Paredes HT), Dairon Asprilla (Victor Arboleda HT, Eryk Williamson 84’), Diego Valeri (Renzo Zambrano HT, Andy Polo 70’), Sebastian Blanco (Jack Barmby HT, Dustin Corea 88’); Fanendo Adi (Jeremy Ebobisse HT)
