For the first time since May 2017, the Portland Timbers have lost a match against the Seattle Sounders in Seattle. Pedro de la Vega's goal in the 16th minute was the difference between the two sides after 90 minutes, and the Timbers are absolutely limping into the playoffs.
Lineups & Prematch
After a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against FC Dallas Phil Neville was forced into a formation and personnel changes. James Pantemis was ruled out prior to the match with a head injury sustained midweek, meaning a return to the starting XI for Max Crepeau.
The other four players listed as "questionable" – Dario Zuparic, Jimer Fory, Zac McGraw, and Matias Rojas – weren't able to make it back for the match, meaning a return to a back four formation.
Ian Smith, Kamal Miller, Finn Surman, and Juan Mosquera comprised the backline, with David Ayala and Cristhian Paredes as the midfield shield in front of them.
Kristoffer Velde, David da Costa, and Antony were selected as the attacking midfielders behind Kevin Kelsy as the tip of the spear.
Match Recap & Highlights
1' - Kevin Kelsy started play for the Timbers.
16' Goal Sounders, 1-0 – Seattle got Alex Roldan free on the right wing, and his cutback cross from the endline found an unmarked Pedro de la Vega in the middle of the box to hammer home the opener. Mosquera watched De la Vega run past him and Ayala wasn't positioned correctly to cut out the cross.
34' Shot Timbers – A beautiful passage of play involving Velde, Mosquera, and Da Costa saw the latter free to unleash a left-footed effort from the "D," but Stefan Frei got across to his left to produce a strong save over the bar for a Timbers corner.
42' Shot Sounders – Paul Rothrock found a pocket of space on the lefthand side of Portland's box, and Crepeau stayed big and denied his effort with a kick save. Finn Surman cut off Rusnak's run on the second attacking phase and cleared the ball into touch.
45' Chance Sounders – Paredes turned the ball over on the edge of Seattle's penalty area, which allowed the hosts to send a route-one ball over the top of Portland's backline for Rothrock to run onto against Miller. A heavy touch took the forward wide of goal, and by the time he was able to turn and create a cross Paredes had recovered to put the ball out for a corner.
Halftime: Seattle Sounders 1 - 0 Portland Timbers
The Timbers trailed at the break having conceded the biggest chance the Sounders created over the course of the first 45 minutes, but the performance wasn't awful all things considered. The midfield shape and pressing structure left a lot to be desired from Neville's side and the Sounders were fortunate that Portland's end-product left a lot to be desired.
Ian Smith and Juan Mosquera were able to consistently find space to cross balls in from the wings, but the majority of their efforts were blocked behind for corners or sailed over everyone inside the box. Da Costa was bright, but Antony and Velde seemed to take the wrong option when they got on the ball.
46' - No changes for the Timbers at the break as Seattle resumed play.
The Timbers had a sustained spell of possession in Seattle's final third from the 55th to the 65th minute, but couldn't capitalize on any of the half-chances they created.
66' Shot Timbers – Kristoffer Velde finally turned one of those half-chances into a shot at goal, spinning Rothrock like a top before flashing a left-footed curler whistling wide of the far post.
79' Substitutions – Neville finally decided to look to the bench: Gage Guerra, Diego Chara, Ariel Lassiter ON // Kevin Kelsy, David Ayala, Ian Smith OFF.
84' Substitutions – Felipe Mora, Omir Fernandez ON // Cristhian Paredes, David da Costa OFF.
90+3' Shot Timbers – It was nearly a miraculous salvo act from the Timbers in Seattle deep into second half stoppage time. Velde received the ball on the left wing and dug out a cross that fell to Mora inside the box, but the Chilean's effort was tame – straight at Frei.
90+4' Red Card Sounders – Albert Rusnak made a disgusting tackle from behind on Omir Fernandez, and after VAR summoned him to the monitor, his yellow card was upgraded to a red.
Full Time: Seattle Sounders 1 - 0 Portland Timbers
Well, here we are again talking about another poor Timbers result. Just one win in their last nine matches after their Leagues Cup campaign drew to a close, and they don't look any closer to finding a way to will themselves into three points.
It's an absolute bummer to see the Timbers' undefeated streak in Seattle to come to an end, but the Timbers can have no complaints. No urgency, no semblance of fluid buildup play in the final third, and substitutions that came way too late for how poorly some of Portland's attacking players played.
I don't know what it is but the players seem devoid of confidence. I don't think you can point to any one player on the team and come to the conclusion that they're an awful player or shouldn't be on the roster. They're running into the same brick wall form-wise that they crashed into to end the 2024 campaign, and that is a major worry for everyone involved.
The Timbers now have two weeks off until their Decision Day matchup at home against San Diego FC, and over the course of the last two months they have completely thrown away control of their own destiny. It's hard to feel positive about their prospects in the post-season at all.
