SEATTLE, Wash. – The Portland Timbers spoiled the party in Seattle.
Forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored in the first half while midfielders Santiago Moreno and Dairon Asprilla each scored in the final 10 minutes of the match to secure a 3-0 victory for the Timbers on the road against their rival Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday at Lumen Field.
Sounders FC had hoped to continue a celebration from their pregame festivities, which included a banner unveiling, but the Timbers responded with three goals and a steady defensive performance to earn their fifth win in Seattle since 2018.
Niezoda continued his scoring form, finding the back of the net for the fourth time in the last four games. He leads the Timbers in scoring now with seven goals on the season. Sebastián Blanco registered his team-leading seventh assist. It was the fourth goal of the season for both Moreno and Asprilla, respectively.
The Timbers are unbeaten in their last five games, three of which have taken place on the road. During their current unbeaten run, Portland has outscored its opponents 11-4.
Saturday’s victory also extended the Timbers’ unbeaten streak in Seattle to seven games. Portland has not lost to Sounders FC in regular-season play in Seattle since May 27, 2017. Saturday’s match was the 115th all-time meeting between the two clubs, dating back to 1975.
Sounders FC were reduced to 10 players in the opening minute of the second half when defender Jackson Ragen was issued a second caution card.
Goalscoring Summary
23’ – Build up through the middle of the park, and Yimmi Chara found Blanco just outside the top right corner of the box. Blanco’s cross found Niezgoda on a run at the back post.
82’ – Seattle’s Nouhou was called for a handball in the box, awarding the Timbers a penalty kick.
85’ – On a counter attack, passes from Moreno and Niezgoda set up Asprilla for a clean look from close range.
Next Match
The Timbers face a Cascadian rival for a second straight weekend, playing host to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park on Sunday, July 17, presented by Socios.com. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), and the match will air locally on FOX 12 PLUS.
Match Notes
- Portland extended its unbeaten run to five matches (3-0-2), dating back to June 18, 2022.
- The Timbers have scored multiple goals in four consecutive matches, and a have recorded a goal in six straight.
- Portland has outscored its opponents 11-4 in the unbeaten run, with goals from five different players (Asprilla, Blanco, Niezgoda, Moreno, Y. Chara).
- The Timbers are unbeaten in seven straight regular-season road matches against the Sounders (W5, D2), the longest streak at Seattle in MLS history.
- Head coach Giovanni Savarese has not conceded a regular season result at Lumen Field while at the helm for Portland (5-0-1).
- Portland has registered back-to-back shutout wins at Lumen Field, outscoring Seattle 5-0 (Aug. 29, 2021).
- The three-goal margin was the largest goal margin from Portland against Seattle since 2015 (4-1).
- Moreno has tallied three goals and one assist in Portland’s last three matches.
- Asprilla registered his fourth goal of the season. Asprilla and Niezgoda both scored in back-to-back games.
- Yimmi Chara recorded his sixth assist of the season.
- Blanco has contributed to a goal in four out of the last five matches (1G, 3A).
- Goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic recorded his fifth shutout of the season.
- Eryk Williamson will miss the next match due to yellow card accumulation.
Portland Timbers (6-6-8, 26pts) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (8-8-2, 26pts)
July 9, 2022 – Lumen Field (Seattle, Was.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Niezgoda (Blanco, Y. Chara), 69
POR: Moreno (penalty kick), 82
POR: Asprilla (Niezgoda, Moreno), 85
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Williamson (caution), 6
SEA: Ragen (caution; ejection) 46
POR: Y. Chara (dissent), 57
SEA: C. Roldan (caution), 70
SEA: Nouhou (handball), 81
POR: Asprilla (caution), 85
POR: D. Chara (caution), 87
Lineups:
POR: GK Ivacic, D Van Rankin, D Mabiala, D Zuparic, D Bravo, M D. Chara ©, M Williamson (Paredes, 63), M Y. Chara (Loría, 74), M Moreno (Tuiloma, 90+1), M Blanco (Asprilla, 70), F Niezgoda (Mora, 90)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Bingham, D Bonilla, D McGraw, M Ayala
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Blanco, Moreno, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Blanco, 3); FOULS: 10 (Van Rankin, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
SEA: GK Frei, D Nouhou, D Ragen, D Gomez, M Lodeiro, M A. Roldan (Chu, 81), M C. Roldan, M Rusnak (Medranda, 75), M Rowe (Atencio, 64), F Morris, F Ruidiaz (Bruin, 81)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Cleveland, D Cissoko, M Teves, M Levya, F Montero
TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Rusnak, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (3 players tied); FOULS: 12 (Ragen, 2); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 5
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Kyle Atkins, Jose Da Silva
Fourth Official: Mark Allatin
VAR: Daniel Radford
Attendance: 47,722
Weather: Sunny, 71 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
