By Charles Hamaker

Seattle, WA – On the day that the Sounders raised their Concacaf Champions League banner, they were embarrassed by the Portland Timbers. A three-goal defeat at home against Portland continues a string of poor form when the teams meet at Lumen Field in recent years. In the last twelve matches between the clubs, the home teams are 1-10-1, which is certainly one of the more bizarre stats in this rivalry. The frustrating defeat is the first time that the club has lost by three goals at Lumen Field to anyone since 2015.  

Grounded 

In multiple different ways, the Seattle attack was grounded by the Timbers defense. The Portland backline weathered 26 crosses and eight corners, heading away and clearing everything the Sounders threw at them. Jordan Morris, who has been a header machine for Seattle in the games he’s played in lately, was kept to a quiet match. It just seemed like Seattle couldn’t get anything to go against their rival, on a day that they celebrated a historic achievement.  

This is another worrisome result, similar to those that we saw earlier in the season for Seattle in MLS play. The only thing about those earlier season losses is that the Sounders were not getting blown out like they did today. As noted previously, a loss as bad as this has not taken place in about seven years at Lumen Field. This is a match that Seattle will need to review long and hard to figure out where Portland stopped them, and how to avoid that happening going forward.  

Inability to put away close chances in first half 

The first half saw a few key opportunities for Seattle that should have seen the Sounders at least equalize before half. These instances include what should have been called a penalty in the box for Seattle, and Raul Ruidiaz with what would have been a clear goal, that hit the post. Two instances where a foul should have been called (Portland received a penalty following a review later in the match), and Raul should have buried it.  

These instances had me believing that heading into the second half, Seattle would keep the pressure up and find the back of the net. That did not happen, as it seemed that the attack actually lost its flair and intensity in the second half. All things considered in this match, there are plenty of things for Sounders fans to be upset about. As mentioned before, Seattle has plenty things to look in the mirror about, but also some factors you could chalk up to bad luck.  

Poor form against Portland at home continues 

In the sort of recent memory (in the Brian Schmetzer era), the Sounders have played poorly at home against Portland. This includes the two matches I have covered, today and the doubleheader last season. Although positive results down in Timbers territory are nice, losing to Portland will always be bad. And as said several times, especially with how today’s result came. The Sounders still have several months in their regular season and multiple chances to climb higher in the playoff seeding. With that being said, this loss leaves a very bad, bitter taste in the mouths of Seattle fans and will for a while.  

Reflection 

This is an inexcusable result for Seattle. With the talent that you have, with a mostly healthy lineup, a result like this, ESPECIALLY against Portland cannot happen. It’s the first time in the Sounders history in MLS that they have lost by three goals to Portland at home. Considering all the fanfare prior to the match starting in relation to the Concacaf Champions League victory, Timbers fans will hold this victory close for a while.  

Seattle will look to rebound from this embarrassing loss when they kick off on July 13th down in Nashville for a rematch. Kickoff is at 5:30PM PST against a strong and talented Nashville side that has seen mediocre results so far this season. The Sounders will look to bounce back and get revenge, all in the same match.  

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