Timbers score 4 straight goals to beat Sounders 4-1

Apr 16, 2023, 06:43 am

PORTLAND, Ore. -- — Nathan Fogaca's go-ahead goal in the 76th minute was among four straight Portland goals in the final 19 minutes, giving the Timbers a 4-1 victory over the rival Seattle Sounders 4-1 in a Cascadia Cup match on Saturday night.

Dairon Asprilla, Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Juan Mosquera also scored for the Timbers (2-4-2) in just their second win in eight matches to open the season.

Raul Ruidiaz scored for the Sounders (5-2-1), who lost for just the second time this season and snapped a three-game winning streak.

“With Seattle, every time, this derby is amazing,” said Asprilla, who scored on a dramatic bicycle kick that touched off the flurry of Portland goals. “I've been here for eight years, it's the most important game for us. The win for the fans is the only thing.”

The Timbers have struggled this season with a spate of injuries. Among those who were out against Seattle were Yimmi Chara (right hamstring) and Felipe Mora (left knee). The Timbers announced earlier this week that defender Eryk Williamson would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Seattle's Cristian Roldan was unavailable because of a concussion.

"Special night because, first of all, we're playing Seattle. And every time we play Seattle it's the big game that you want to win," Portland coach Giovanni Savarese said.

Portland's best first-half chances came when Evander's late free kick from just outside the 18-yard box went into the wall, and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei smothered Juan Mosquera's attempt moments later.

But after a scoreless first half, Ruidíaz put Seattle in front, scoring off a cross from Obed Vargas in the 58th minute. It was his 11th goal all-time against the Timbers.

“Our inability to close the game out at 1-0 is what caused it to unravel,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.

Asprilla did a backflip after his bicycle goal in the 71st that Frei couldn't get to. After Fogaca's goal put the Timbers in front, Niezgoda added another in the 81st. Mosquera's goal in the 89th wrapped up scoring.

“When I saw the ball, it was perfect for me, and I tried,” said Asprilla, who is from Colombia. "When you have a dream, you try every time."

Portland's only other victory this season came in the opener against Sporting Kansas City.

The Timbers are now unbeaten in four straight matches against the Sounders and won both matches last season.

“It's not just another loss,” an angry Schmetzer said. “It's against the Timbers. We have to get back to understanding that this is a rivalry.”

It was the 39th MLS match between the two teams, including playoff meetings, although the rivalry dates to 1975 when both teams were part of the NASL. Portland leads the MLS series 17-15-7.

The Cascadia Cup is a trophy created by supporters for the Pacific Northwest rivalry between the Sounders, Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Timbers won last year for the third time in the MLS era, going 3-0-1 against the field.

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