Seattle made the short trip to Portland to try and get a firm grip of the Cascadia Cup but could only take a point in THE hottest derby in MLS.
Seattle came into the game on the back of a 4 game unbeaten run, and headed into the game full of spirits after a great comeback win at home against Chivas USA.
Sounders made three changes from the game against Chivas, with Scott, Ianni and Tiffert being replaced with Johansson, Parke and Rose.
Seattle were hoping that the dynamic duo up top were going to play a big part in the game and hopefully score a few more to add to their combined 24 goals for the season.
The stadium was rocking and Seattle tried to silence that early on after some great build up play ended with Alonso having a volley from the edge of the area but it was creeping wide.
Zakuani was full of life and pace as he was enjoying his second start since his injury and was tormenting the Portland defense; nearly setting up the first goal after his cross was deflected and rebounded into the path of Evans who lashed it wide.
But all that hard work was nearly undone as Timbers Songo’o effort from 20+ yards forced a diving save out of Gspurning who managed to parry it away to safety. And with that left the scores 0-0 at half time.
The second half started much like the first, with the Sounders on the attack when after a Andy Rose cross was thundered into the side netting from Evans who failed to see the open Eddie Johnson at the near post.
But the game changer came when Timbers goalkeeper Ricketts collided with Johnson after a fizzing cross and was shaken up, and eventually substituted for back up keeper Joe Bendik.
Joe Bendik had only 23 minutes playing time under his belt before entering the game and added less than a minute before conceding again. After a goal kick by Gspurning, the ball managed to bounce all the way through to Montero who took one touch before volleying over his shoulder past the flailing Bendik.
But Seattle could hang onto the three points as a Jack Jewsberry corner was met by the free head of Wallace who made it 1-1 in the derby.
Seattle then had a tough time in the last 15 minutes as they were under pressure from the Timbers who were backed by their explosive crowd but both teams had chances to win it in added time, but the points were shared.
Seattle now host the runaway leaders in the West, as the San Jose Earthquakes visit CenturyLink Field in a game in which Seattle need the three points to claw their way back into the race for the top spot in the Western Conference.
(image courtesy of portlandtimbers.com)
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