Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter
Opening statement:
“We knew this was going to be an intense game – obviously this is a derby, bitter rivals, Cup game – we knew it was going to be a challenge for us. History said we wouldn’t win this game because they had never lost on this field in the Open Cup and they have won the Open Cup four times. I was proud of our groups mentality. They looked like they were up for it…they were mature, they kept their heads. I was proud of that. Sometimes in this type of game you can lose your head; I thought we kept our composure really well, I thought we matched them physically, and it was a great performance and a great result.”
On the flow of the game:
“In this type of game, when you’re playing on a tight turf pitch, on a narrow field, it was always going to be a bit of a direct game. We knew that, we prepared for that. I thought we dealt with it really well…We played direct at times because we knew they would press us and the pitch is narrow and it’s not a great pitch to keep the ball – it is very fast, lively, the ball bounces around like a ping pong match. We knew it was going to be this way. We put out a lineup and a plan to help us flourish under these conditions…They had Martins get injured after they used their subs, and that certainly affected the match. That has nothing to do with the referee but the cards were a factor as well. Bottom line we dealt with circumstances, we showed composure managing the game and conditions well to get the win. We're pleased to move on to the next round."
On the emotions towards the end of the match:
“Again, I thought we looked very mature, and that’s what you want to see in your team. You want to see a team that is up for the fight, but keeps their cool. We were definitely up for it. I thought physically, in the first half, we matched their intensity…reality is nobody remembers, in Cup games, anything but the result. The only thing that matters is the result, and we were able to knock off a very good team, last year's champion, on their home field.”
Portland Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury
On playing at Starfire…
“Yeah, there is always a buzz here in these small confines. We have played here a few times and it’s always fun. It’s definitely different than what we are used to at CenturyLink Field with the massive amount of people there. It’s always fun to come here, it’s a tough place to play, I think everybody knows that. I don’t think they have been beat here, ever, until tonight.”
On getting the win…
“It feels good. We have been on a good run in the league, but we had to switch gears a little bit to the Open Cup. We knew it was going to be a tough game, especially against Seattle. It was one we were excited about, but we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, so to get out of here, in what was kind of a weird and wild game, and to move on, was the goal and we achieved that, and it feels good.”
On if he has experienced anything like this match…
“No, I can honestly say that was pretty wild. Even at the end, I guess it was 11 vs. 7 with six field players, it was pretty wild to look around and not really see too many white jerseys. It was interesting to say the least.”
Seattle Sounders FC Quotes
Seattle Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid
On the initial thoughts on the match…
“There are no initial thoughts. I thought our guys played like lions, I thought they left their hearts out on the field, and I think they got robbed.”
On the feeling in the locker room…
“It’s got to serve as motivation and fuel to do everything we can in the league, to win another Supporters’ Shield, to do well in the Champions League, and do well in MLS Cup. It’s disappointing for it to end like this, to force your team to play a team 7-on-11.”
Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Cristian Roldan
On the mood of the locker room…
“I guess we’re pretty mellow right now. It’s also pretty comical in the locker room, just how the game ended. It is one of those things where you can’t really do anything about it – it’s out of our hands. It is just one of those things.”
On the atmosphere…
“For sure, and the fans on top of us the whole game, it was awesome. I wish the game ended a little differently, but the atmosphere was great with the 4,000 people that ended up here and I wish every game was like that, and it is like that at CenturyLink.”
Notes:
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Tuesday’s match marked the third straight game between the two sides to go to extra time in U.S. Open Cup play.
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With the win, Portland has registered four consecutive victories in all competitions, including three straight in league play.
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The Timbers have won at least one match in U.S. Open Cup play in each of the last three editions of the tournament.
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Tuesday’s match marked Portland’s 23rd U.S. Open Cup match since first reaching the tournament in 2004 as a second-division side.
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Portland improved its record in U.S. Open Cup play to 6-3 during the team’s MLS era.
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Tuesday’s match was the 11th meeting between Portland and Seattle Sounders FC since the beginning of the 2013 season.
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The Timbers snapped defending U.S. Open Cup-champion Sounders FC’s 20-game unbeaten streak (19-0-1) at Starfire Stadium since 2005.
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Forward Maximiliano Urruti’s goal in the 116th minute on Tuesday marked his first career goal in U.S. Open Cup play. Urruti registered two assists in two Open Cup matches in 2014.
- Taylor Peay made his first appearance in all competitions this season for the Timbers on Tuesday, entering the match in the 36th minute.
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Midfielder George Fochive registered his first career assist in U.S. Open Cup play, assisting on Urruti’s goal.
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Midfielders Diego Chara (suspension) and Will Johnson (international duty) were not available for selection on Tuesday.
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With the win, Portland improved its road record in U.S. Open Cup play to 6-2 since 2009.
- With his opening goal, midfielder Diego Valeri has tallied three goals in U.S. Open Cup play since his tournament debut in 2013.
