Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers, Desert Friendlies Recap: Cascadia draws 1-1

Early preseason matches are more about who plays than who wins. In this case the 1-1 score will be overshadowed by Clint Dempsey and Freddy Adu. Dempsey played the first half, while Adu played the second half for Portland. Diego Valeri found Fanendo Adi to open the scoring. Seattle tied it later when Carlos Irvin Parra drew a penalty call. Harry Shipp scored from the spot.

The Sounders controlled possession in the first half and the Timbers countered quite well Adi smacked in a free kick delivered by Valeri. That put Portland up by a goal.

Seattle’s back five at the time included just one clear starter (Joevin Jones) and two trialists (Oduro, Agbossoumonde).

Probably the biggest news of the first half was the starting lineup, because Clint Dempsey started and played thirty minutes. Nicolas Lodeiro, Will Bruin and Alvaro Fernandez were the rest of the attackers. Cristian Roldan and Gustav Svensson played the holding midfield.

The second half featured both teams’ fringe players. Portland trialist Freddy Adu looked mediocre and out of form. Sounders FC’s deep bench were augmented by the skill of Harrison Shipp.

Several young Sounders saw time. Shandon Hopeau, Jake Morris (no relation), Seyi Adekoya, Lorenzo Ramos and Henry Wingo all took the field.

Despite being in the gameday roster Steve Zakuani did not play.

Seattle’s next match is a scrimmage against San Jose. That 9:30 AM match on Tuesday Feb. 7 will likely feature more of the backend of the Sounders training roster.