Seattle's Defensive Efforts In The Final Third Created An Iron Wall
After what can only be described as a Raul Ruidiaz-esque goal by Ruidiaz himself. Portland played catch up for the remainder of the match.
Seattle was able to keep Portland's shot creating chances to almost null in the second-half. With only one dangerous moment for the Sounders as a one touch shot from Santi Moreno missed the goal & an outstretched Stefan Frei by inches.
That was as close as Portland ever got to a true shot attempt near the goal after Seattle took the lead five minutes out of half-time. Stefan Frei normally gives Timbers fans headaches between the posts but he only needed to make 1 save on Sunday afternoon, his backline & supporting crew did the rest.
In Conclusion
I know Portland doesn't receive a heck of a whole lot of sunny days. But things look particularly dreary in the Rose City as we enter the latter half of the month of May.
Portland has never been a jump the gun sort of club when it comes to managerial tenures. Though with the already confrontational nature surrounding Phil Neville's hiring last fall, it's unsure how much longer the club can afford to hang around at the bottom of the Western Conference standings before it really becomes an issue.
As always, there is still plenty of soccer to be played this season. But I don't think Timbers fans deserve yet another late season climb out of a hole dug by the team in the spring as in years past.
As far as the Cascadia Cup goes, there are two more chances for the Timbers to GUT THE FISH this season. Next up all the way on September 1st, once again at Providence Park.