No matter the struggle the Portland Timbers are going through in Major League Soccer. One thing remains the same, competing against the Seattle Sounders is a must. The current iteration of one of Major League Soccer's most entertaining & history filled rivalries was on Sunday afternoon. When the two sides met on the field for a Mother's Day matchup & the 120th meeting between the two clubs dating back to their time in the NASL.
With both clubs in a bit of a downward spiral at the moment, a win in arguably the biggest derby in American soccer would mean a heck of a whole lot to either team struggling to secure points at the moment.
It wouldn't be the first time the Timbers entered one of their biggest match days of the season against in poor form. Though it normally doesn't matter too much as Portland tends to find quality form out of thin air when it comes to the Sounders.
The Timbers haven't suffered a loss to the Sounders since August of 2021. Even as Portland's four game winning streak over Seattle that spans from 2021 to April of last year has now been overshadowed by two draws to close out the 2023 MLS Season. The Timbers faithful continue to pull their hair out every week. Surely their club can show out against their most hated rival? Right?
Unfortunately for the announced 25,218 in attendance for a Mother's Day showdown, the Sounders escaped the Rose City with all three points thanks to a Raul Ruidiaz banger in the 50th minute that propelled the visitors to a 2-1 win & a 10th place spot in the Western Conference Standings.
There were plenty of talking points, here are three I feel keep me level headed while typing so I don't say something I don't truly mean.