Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. On Sunday, the Portland Timbers travel north to play rival Seattle Sounders FC (7:30pm PT, ESPN).
Team Form
With a record of 12-3-6, Seattle is in first place in the Western Conference on 42 points. Most recently, they defeated Columbus Crew SC with a 2-1 scoreline on the road on Aug. 21 and are 3-1-1 in their last five matches.
In all-time MLS play, the Timbers have a 13-13-4 record against Seattle.
In attack
Leading the Sounders is forward Raúl Ruidíaz who has a team and league-best 14 goals on the year. Fellow striker Fredy Montero has six goals and three assists while defender Brad Smith has three goals and three assists.
Midfielder João Paulo is first on the team with eight assists and also has one goal scored.
In Defense
Defenders Yeimar, Nouhou and Alex Roldan all started in this week's MLS All-Star Game in Los Angeles. For Seattle, Yeimar has appeared in all 21 games of the season for Seattle and leads the league in interceptions with 62 while the aforementioned Smith has appeared in 20 games.
Goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland has locked down the starting role for Seattle in the absence of injured Stefan Frei with Cleveland having started 14 matches and earning three shutouts.
Cascadia Cup
Sunday's match is the second game of this year's Cascadia Cup competition. Begun in 2004 by the supporters groups of Portland, Seattle and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Cascadia Cup is awarded to the team and their supporters group with the best record in intra-team, regular-season play between the trio.
- CASCADIA CUP: Details
Double Header
Sunday's match is part of a unique double header with Portland Thorns FC playing their Northwest rival OL Reign in NWSL regular season action at 4:30pm PT, also at Lumen Field (FOX 12 Plus, Paramount+).
