Yimmi Chara scored a 13th-minute goal as the Portland Timbers defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 at Providence Park on Wednesday night.
Chara scored his third goal in as many games to pace the Timbers to a tie atop the Western Conference standings. The Sounders remain in first with a substantial goal differential and a match in hand.
The Sounders had several chances to find the equalizer, including a few shots from Raúl Ruidiaz, but the Sounders forward couldn’t add to his team-leading eight goals this season.
Seattle will get back to work quickly as the team heads to Carson, Calif., for a match against the LA Galaxy on Sunday (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Prime Video, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Three Takeaways
First shutout in 10 matches
The Sounders failed to find the score sheet for the first time in their last 10 matches, dating back to a scoreless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on July 10 in group play of the MLS is Back tournament.
Seattle dominated most of the match, outshooting Portland 19-9, earning 13 corner kicks and having 66 percent possession, but couldn’t find the final product on a frustrating evening. The Timbers’ win snaps a streak of six consecutive wins for the road team in this rivalry.
Brotherly love
When Alex Roldan entered as a second-half substitute, he joined brother Cristian in taking on Timbers brothers Diego and Yimmi Chara. Wednesday’s match was the first time in MLS history that two sets of brothers have played against each other in a match.
Svensson returns
Good news for Sounders fans as defensive midfielder Gustav Svensson returned to action as a halftime substitute for Nouhou. Svensson had missed the previous four matches while away with the Swedish national team for UEFA Nations League play and subsequent quarantine upon returning to Seattle.
As matches come fast and furious down the stretch of the condensed MLS season, having more options in midfield in particular is going to be crucial. Having a seasoned vet in Svensson back in the fold will be a huge boost for Head Coach Brian Schmetzer moving forward.
