The Seattle Sounders are hosting the Portland Timbers on Sunday in their second meeting in two weeks. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on ESPN.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
2021 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 12-3-6 (42 points, 1st West), Portland: 7-10-3 (24 points, 8th West)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders made history on Aug. 15 in a 6-2 thrashing of the Timbers at Providence Park. Seattle scored the most goals in a single match in the rivalry. It was also the first time in Portland’s club history dating back to 1975 that it had ever allowed six goals in a home match.
FORM GUIDE (most recent first): Sounders: WWWDL, Timbers: LDLWD
SIDE BY SIDE: THE PNW EXPERIENCE: Join us at 3 p.m. PT as we pay tribute to Seattle music icon Jimi Hendrix. Sunday features an exciting lineup of live local music performances, exclusive merchandise and unique membership experiences, followed by the first-ever Sounders FC and OL Reign doubleheader at Lumen Field.
ALL-STAR RETURNEES: Six Sounders will return to the team following their appearance at the MLS All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Raúl Ruidíaz, João Paulo, Alex Roldan, Yeimar and Nouhou will join All-Star captain Cristian Roldan in a match against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars.
NO PLACE LIKE THE ROAD?: After taking just one point from three home matches, the Sounders made MLS history by becoming the first team to win three road games in seven days. Seattle has seven wins away from home this season, which is the most in MLS and more than 13 teams have total victories.
HOME STRUGGLES VS. PORTLAND: Despite winning an incredible five of the last six meetings in Portland, the Sounders are winless in their last three home attempts (0-2-1) against the Timbers. Seattle hasn’t defeated Portland at Lumen Field since the second leg of the 2018 Western Conference Semifinals, a series in which Portland ultimately advanced on penalty kicks.
NICO RETURNS TO THE XI: Sounders captain Nicolás Lodeiro made his first start of the season last Saturday in a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Columbus Crew SC. Lodeiro went 83 minutes and should expect to feature in Head Coach Brian Schmetzer’s Starting XI on Sunday.
DJIMI’S FAREWELL: Saturday’s match at Columbus also signaled the final match for Assistant Coach Djimi Traoré. The former Sounders player and UEFA Champions League-winner with Liverpool is headed to Europe for another opportunity.
TOUGH STRETCH: Following the Sounders’ big win in Portland, the Timbers played to a 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City midweek before losing 3-1 at Austin FC over the weekend. Portland has won just once in 10 away matches this season.
DEFENSIVE ISSUES: The Timbers have allowed 39 goals from just 20 matches this season, which is second-worst in MLS. Only current Wooden Spoon leader Toronto FC has allowed more.
WILLIAMSON RETURNS: Portland was without United States national team midfielder Eryk Williamson in the two teams’ meeting earlier this month. He was sidelined due to health and safety protocols, but he made his return to the Timbers starting lineup last weekend against Austin and figures to be available this Sunday in Seattle.
