PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers, led by two first half goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastián Blanco, defeated Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 in the first leg of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at Providence Park Sunday afternoon.
- MATCHCENTER: Stats
- MATCHCENTER: Boxscore and Chalkboard
Match Moments
10' - GOAL (SEA) - Seattle went out to a 1-0 lead early in the first half when Raúl Ruidiaz flicked home a cross with his foot from Cristian Roldan.
17' - GOAL (POR) - The Timbers came roaring back six minutes later when Diego Valeri threaded a perfectly weighted ball to Jeremy Ebobisse who took a touch and then chipped it over a sprawled Stefan Frei to even the score at 1-1. The play began when defender Liam Ridgewell fought to win a header in the Timbers end, got the ball to Diego Chara who then sprung Valeri on the counter.
29' - GOAL (POR) - Portland went out to a 2-1 lead on a bit of great individual effort from Sebastián Blanco. Valeri had capitalized on a Seattle turnover forced by Ebobisse and then broke for goal. The ball was tackled away by Seattle defender Chad Marshall but fell to Blanco who had sprinted on the wing in support. Blanco muscled off two defenders before scoring in the far corner.
45+6' - CHANCE (POR) - Portland was hunting for a third goal deep in first half stoppage time when Valeri zipped a ball into the area that Andy Polo redirected inches wide of the right post.
72' - SAVE (POR) - Jeff Attinella smothered a dangerous ball into the middle that came from Seattle's Waylon Francis on the right side.
76' - CHANCE (POR) - Valeri snuck a shot through traffic heading to the bottom left corner of Seattle's net that forced a diving save from Frei.
90' - CHANCE (POR) - Portland was again close near full time when Blanco curled a cross into Valeri who hit it on the volley but just over the bar.
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The Timbers will next play Seattle Sounders FC in the second leg of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on Nov. 8 at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff is 7:30pm PT.
Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs | Western Conference Semifinals – Leg 1
Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs. Portland Timbers (5)
Nov. 4, 2018 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Seattle Sounders FC 1 0 1
Portland Timbers 2 0 2
Scoring Summary:
SEA: Ruidiaz,10
POR: Ebobisse (Valeri), 17
POR: Blanco, 29
Misconduct Summary:
SEA: Svensson (caution), 85
Lineups:
POR: GK Attinella, D Valentin, D Tuiloma, D Ridgewell, D Villafaña, M Guzmán (Olum, 51), M Chara, M Polo, M Valeri ©, M Blanco, F Ebobisse (Melano, 75)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Clark, D Cascante, D Powell, M Flores, F Asprilla
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Four players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Four players tied, 1); FOULS: 8 (Guzmán, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 2
SEA: GK Frei, D Leerdam, D Kim, D Marshall (Torres, 40), D Tolo, M Alonso ©, M Svensson, M C. Roldan (Francis, 31, Shipp, 87) , M Rodriguez, M Lodeiro, F Ruidiaz
Substitutes Not Used: GK Meredith, M Bwana, M Delem, F Bruin
TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Ruidiaz, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Rodriguez, 2); FOULS: 13 (Three players tied, 3); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Joe Fletcher, Kathryn Nesbitt
4th Official: Drew Fischer
VAR: Allen Chapman
Attendance: 21,144
Weather: Partly cloudy, 60 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
