PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC today announced the kickoff of “SEAvPDX Week,” a special joint project between the clubs. Portland and Seattle, who were set to play their first match of the season against each other on May 17, have joined forces to mark their storied rivalry with a week of unique content and competitive opportunities for their two fan bases, including a FIFA 20 Showdown hosted by Matcherino and a live interactive trivia night. The Timbers’ week of programming is presented by 76®, with Zulily as Seattle’s presenting partner.
Events get started later today, as each club shares its top five moments that defined the Portland-Seattle rivalry in the MLS era. Portland’s Richard Farley and Seattle’s Joseph Mondello will post their lists for fans to discuss and debate.
On Wednesday, fans can look forward to more exclusive written content in the form of a deep dive into the rivalry between the Timbers and Sounders FC. Farley and Mondello have worked to deliver a long-form oral history of the first meeting in the MLS era between the clubs, which took place on May 14, 2011. Players and technical staff members from the 2011 clubs will help tell the tale of that match and the birth of the most passionate and contentious rivalry in Major League Soccer.
Portland is also producing a special edition of its weekly podcast “Breaking Lines” with a rivalry twist, on Wednesday. Former Sounders Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans will join Timbers guests Jack Jewsbury and Ryan Pore to discuss everything Portland-Seattle, from memorable moments to insider stories.
Thursday brings some competition into the mix, and the opportunity for fan participation. First, the two clubs test brotherhood in a literal way. Portland’s Diego and Yimmi Chara take on Seattle’s Cristian and Alex Roldan in a Newlywed Game-style competition to determine which sibling pair knows each other better.
Later in the evening, Portland and Seattle finally have the chance to duke it out on the pitch – in FIFA 20. From 6-8 p.m. (Pacific), fans can register for free to take part in The SEA vs. PDX FIFA Showdown hosted by Matcherino, pitting the Green & Gold against the Rave Green. Points from the results of each individual match – three for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss – will be combined to determine an overall winner between the Timbers and Sounders, earning fans bragging rights. Three lucky participants from each team will also be randomly selected to receive a signed item from their team.
Additionally, the Showdown’s marquee matchup will take place at 7 p.m. (Pacific), with Portland defender BillTuiloma facing off against Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei for club and FIFA glory. At 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), the two clubs’ eMLS representatives – Portland’s RCTID Thiago and Seattle’s TheMarsBars11 – will also compete for their shields. Fans can tune into the Twitch channel for their respective teams to check out the action and cheer their side on to victory. Throughout the stream, and during the week, fans will also be encouraged to donate to their club’s selected community COVID-19 relief charity – the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette for the Timbers and the Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund for Sounders FC – with the ability to donate directly online.
Proceeds directed to the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette will benefit their Safety Net program, providing critical services for local families in need.
Timbers fans who own FIFA 20 for PS4 and are interested in taking part in this free tournament can register through the Matcherino platform here. Seattle fans can register here.
Friday offers another chance for fans to compete for their club, this time in a battle of wits during The SEA vs. PDX Trivia Challenge centering around soccer, regional, and specifically, Timbers and Sounders FC trivia. The competition is slated for 4:00 p.m. (Pacific), and fans can play for free on their mobile devices by logging on to https://www.crowd.live/seavpdx and selecting which team they are representing. There is no limit on participation, and all fans are encouraged to take part.
Both Portland and Seattle’s YouTube channels will be livestreaming the trivia competition, which is hosted by former Timbers defender and current TV analyst Ross Smith, Sounders FC radio commentator Matt Johnson and former Timbers/Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani. Johnson, Zakuani and Smith will also share more about each of the clubs’ chosen COVID-19 funds, the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund, both raising awareness for the important work these organizations are doing in the Portland and Seattle communities and encouraging fans to learn more and donate if possible.
The highest average scores across four rounds of multiple-choice trivia will determine which club comes out on top. The top three individual finishers from each club will win an ultimate fan experience for themselves and three guests (four total) when play resumes with fans in-stadium.
The action wraps up over the weekend, as each club broadcasts a memorable rivalry match from its archives. The Timbers will be airing a special digital-only edition, featuring a look back at their first MLS win over the Sounders on June 24, 2012. This special re-air, hosted by Timbers announcer Jake Zivin will feature a live chat throughout the match with former players Jack Jewsbury, David Horst and Futty Danso. This match will air at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday, May 23 on timbers.com. This week’s classic game, along with all the week’s activities, is presented by 76®.
Schedule subject to change. Visit timbers.com for more details.
