It is now time for a very important MLS clash in the Western Conference, when the Seattle Sounders will be playing host to Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers on Saturday, May 27th. Portland are coming off a harsh 1-4 defeat on the road against Montreal, while the Sounders are coming off a slim 0-1 win against RSL at home.
Portland (5-4-3) are coming into this match after suffering a tough 1-4 defeat on the road against Montreal. Portland were very unlucky in this match, as they saw their opponents take the lead at the 13th minute, before Portland were left with 10 men just 5 minutes later, when Chara saw a red card. Montreal got down to business as they took the lead once again before the first half was over, and proceeded to score twice in the second half for the final 1-4. The Timbers have been in poor form lately, as they have won just one of their last 6 matches (1-3-2). As a result, they are now sitting at the 5th spot of the Western Conference with 18 points, having scored 22 goals against 20 conceded. They haven’t been very good on the road so far (2-3-1), where they have won just one of their last 5 matches (1-3-1), having conceded 13 goals in that span. They will be making this trip with a handful of injury concerns, as defenders Gbenga Arokoyo and Chance Myers are unavailable along with goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, while midfielder Darlington Nagbe is still listed as questionable to participate.
Seattle (3-5-4) are coming off a confident but not so easy 0-1 win at home against Real Salt Lake. The Sounders were dominant in the first half of the match, as they took the lead at the 42nd minute with Harry Shipp. They had a great opportunity to double their lead, but Clint Dempsey missed from the penalty spot at the 55th minute. RSL were pushing hard for an equalizer that never came, as Seattle secured an anxious but solid win. They really needed to return to winning ways, as they were winl-less in their previous 4 matches, also coming off 3 consecutive losses. They are now sitting at the 8th spot of the Western Conference with 13 points, just 3 points behind the play-off spots. They have been quite good at home so far (2-1-2), where they only lost to Toronto FC by 1-0. The Sounders will be coming into this match with a couple of injury concerns, as defender Roman Torres and midfielder Henry Wingo have been ruled out, while midfielder Aaron Kovar is still listed as questionable to participate.