Seattle comes back twice and defeats Portland Timbers at home
Jorge Perlaza; photo by Craig Mitchelldyer, Portland Timbers
Galo Legarda
El Hispanic News
Portland, OR — In a match full of excitement in front of a sellout crowd, the Seattle Sounders beat the Portland Timbers by the final score of 2 to 3 on Sunday. This victory gives the Sounders an unbeaten streak of eight games, but gives the Timbers their seventh consecutive match without a win.
In the first half, the match was even and had no clear chances to score. Seattle showed a more offensive formation with three men up front. On the other hand, the Timbers began the game with a 4-5-1 formation during the first 20 minutes of the game.
The excitement began at the 46th minute. Kalif Alhassan received the ball from his teammate James Marcelin just past the midfield line and sped ahead, leaving Seattle’s Tyson Wahl behind. Marcelin sprinted all the way into the 18-yard box and sent in a pass towards Jorge Perlaza that was deflected by Seattle’s defender Jeff Parke right under Kasey Keller’s body and into the net, to give the lead to the Timbers.
The lead wouldn’t last long because at the 57th minute, with a long free kick from about 25 yards, Colombian striker Fredy Montero would tie the game for the Sounders. With a great shot, Montero placed the ball right at the base of goalie Troy Perkins’ far post.
The Timbers took the lead again at the 62nd minute after a long deep pass from behind the midfield line by Diego Chará to Perlaza. Perlaza advanced with speed to the big box and shot to goal. The ball got deflected on defender Wahl and went to the back of the net.
From then on, Seattle continued attacking and got the reward at the 74th minute when Montero received the ball inside the six-yard box and tapped it inside the net to tie the game once more.
“To be able to score twice is always important and gives you confidence, and these are three points that we have to enjoy,” Montero said after the game.
Portland moved its lines forward in search of a winning goal but it cost them the game. At the 81st minute, Seattle’s Lamar Neagle was fouled by Eric Brunner inside the big box and a penalty kick was awarded. Brunner received the red card. Seattle’s midfielder Osvaldo Alonso took the penalty shot and scored with a powerful, low shot.
In the stoppage time, Seattle had a chance to score a fourth goal by Montero, but Perkins made a great save, stopping the ball twice right before the goal line.
Timbers Coach Jon Spencer said the team’s defense needs some work.
“We have done enough offensively, but defensively if we keep giving goals away we won’t win games,” Spencer said. “There was a lack of concentration, a lack of communication, and if we don’t talk, mark, or track people, we are going to get punished.”
For the Timbers, the road to the playoffs looks complicated. The second half of the season continues next week with a visit to the Chicago Fire.
Este artículo también está disponible en / This post is also available in: Spanish
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