The Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers are playing live on the MLS schedule on Sunday night on ESPN2 and the matchup at 10:00 pm ET is Week 18 of the season and has the two rivals playing at CenturyLink Field in Washington and is the second time they are playing in a week after matching up in the US Open Cup quarters.
The match comes after the Sounders won over Portland 3-1 in the US Open Cup quarters and that came after the two played earlier in the season in a 4-4 draw and now they play again. Seattle is the top team in the MLS this year and they played without Clint Dempsey during the World Cup and now they are looking to get back on track after losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps on the road last week. Portland had a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy and they remain close to playoff contention at five points out and they will be looking to pick up at least a point against their northwest rivals.
Seattle sports is having a bit of a moment right now, as the Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions, the Mariners are in playoff contention and the Sounders are the best in the MLS. Clint Dempsey had two goals in the crazy 4-4 draw in the last game between these two teams and they always bring it when they play each other and this time should be no different after matching up at Providence Park. The Sounders always have a rabid fan base at the games and after playing in the playoffs and losing last season, Seattle will want to lock up this season series with Portland.
Portland won their first playoff series against the Sounders and now they come in after playing in the US Open Cup and that saw the Sounders win in extra time and it was the first time the two have matched up since both ended up in the MLS. The last game saw things go back and forth and Seattle had the opening goal in that game and then went down, but eventually they made a comeback and DeAndre Yedlin made a great play in that match and now he comes in after a great performance at the World Cup and has received attention from teams in Europe as well.
The Sounders have been the most consistent team in the league this year and they are tops in the MLS with 35 points and they have a seven point lead over Real Salt Lake. The team still had a game in hand until they play tonight and that can extend it even more after this matchup with Portland. The Timbers are near playoff position and are chasing the Whitecaps along with Dallas and Colorado and now they have the chance to move up and this could be the best game of the week. The east has DC United in the lead and they are up over Sporting Kansas City and Toronto, while New England and NY are also in contention.
Check here for the Sounders and Timbers live coverage from ESPN on the schedule.