FULL-TIME: For the first time all year, the Seattle Sounders lost a game after scoring the first goal. Luckily for them, they still have a chance to overcome the 2-1 deficit they find themselves in after the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals.

After allowing 10th minute goal to Raúl Ruidíaz, the Portland Timbers scored a pair of first half goals to storm ahead and threatened to run away with the result.

Despite first-half injuries to Crisitan Roldan and Chad Marshall, the Sounders kept that from happening after a strong second half that will see them return to Seattle knowing they can advance with as little as a 1-0 win.

HALFTIME: The Sounders got an all-important road goal, but just about everything else went wrong for them in the first half and they went into the locker room trailing 2-1. While the one-goal deficit is hardly insurmountable, of larger concern was the loss of both Chad Marshall (right knee) and Cristian Roldan (groin) to injuries. Both will be re-evaluated, but the short turnaround for Leg 2 doesn’t help their chances.

TIMBERS 2, SOUNDERS 1: Almost immediately after Cristian Roldan was forced out of the game due to an injury, the Timbers stormed ahead on a Sebastian Blanco goal that came off a bit of a broken play. Diego Valeri was able to get behind the defense, after Kim Kee-hee’s clearance ricocheted off the defender. Chad Marshall recovered to knock the ball free only for it to fall to the feet of Blanco, who avoided Kelvin Leerdam and beat Stefan Frei inside the far post.

TIMBERS 1, SOUNDERS 1: The Timbers equalized in the 17th minute when Diego Valeri put Jeremy Ebobsise behind the Sounders backline with a well struck pass. Stefan Frei came off his line to try to cut down the angle, but Ebobsise lifted it over the onrushing goalkeeper.

TIMBERS 0, SOUNDERS 1: Just a few minutes after not being awarded a penalty despite a VAR review, the Sounders got the scoreboard when Cristian Roldan streaked in on the left and Raúl Ruidíaz was able to redirect it past goalkeeper Jeff Attinella from close range. Roldan’s cross appeared to have been deflected on the way to Ruidíaz.

LINEUPS: The Seattle Sounders will be using the same lineup they’ve been using for most of their second half run. The most notable thing about their matchday roster is that Brad Smith is apparently still not quite healthy enough to suit up. The Sounders have gone 3-0-0 with this exact group.

Similarly, the Portland Timbers will be using a lineup largely the same as most of their stretch run.

Certain days can define you. They can be moments you remember as successes or failures for life. It is on these days, when the pressure is grandest, that our friends, our family, our communities are the most necessary. It is on days like today when their voices can power us beyond what we know we can do.

Today is one of those days. There are nearly 800 traveling down to Portland to support the Seattle Sounders in their quest to continue their miracle run. A few hundred more live down there and filter into the stands on matchday. I am certain of one thing, and only one thing — we will hear you.

Just as the Portland Timbers hear us. Just as the Seattle Sounders hear us. Just as the league hears us.

You are our voices, our strength. You are our family. Wear that Rave Green and black today and know that we are with you.

Today can be one of those days we remember forever, no matter where we are.

Sounders FC

This is a two-leg aggregate goal series. Away goals are a tie-breaker, though they will not break a tie if the leg two match goes into extra time. If the two-legs remain tied after extra time in leg two, the advancing team will be decided with kicks from the spot.

Leg two is Thursday, November 8 at 7:30 PM in CenturyLink Field.

Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension

Seattle: Felix Chenkam and Jordan Morris are out injured. Brad Smith is listed as questionable, but will almost certainly be in the 18.

Timbers: Roy Miller and Jake Gleason are out injured. Larrys Mabiala is suspended.

Diego Chara and Liam Ridgewell are a yellow away from accumulation suspension.

Ted Unkel is the center referee. His video assistant is Allen Chapman.

nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in alto

you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep

this is our Sound

Keys to the Game:

• Track Sebastian Blanco as he cuts in.
• Diego Valeri versus Osvaldo Alonso.
• Force Guzman/Chara to support the backline, turning it into a back six.
• Feed the Green Lantern
  In this place of black and grey and dark...
  the green shall be my light, my hope, my strength.
  All that is good is all I defend.
  I shall not falter.

How I'm watching

Outfit: You will hear us

Scarf: Enemy’s Goal Is Down

Where: Berliner Pub, downtown Renton, ahead of the curve

North America will hear us

• $1

Available in multiple styles, cuts and colors.

• $1 at Web Community Tees

How to Watch

Match date/time: Sunday, November 4 at 2:30 PM PT

Venue: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon, Lesser Cascadia

Online Streaming: YouTube TV (Seattle & Spokane markets), Watch ESPN

National TV: ESPN (Healey, Twellman, Salazar)

Local English Radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle (Johnson, Keller,)

Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)

International TV

Asia: BeIN Sports (ASIA) | Australia: BeIN Sports (AUS) | China: China Sports Media | Europe: EuroSport | India: DSports / ATR Media | Middle East & North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | Singapore: Starhub | Sub-Saharan Africa: FOX Africa | Taiwan: Sportscast | United Kingdom: Sky Sports | Vietnam: SCTV

Lineups

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders at Portland Timbers; watch with us