Merlo Field, Portland Timbers 2 vineyard, is where the Timbers have played host to their overlords twice this year. Both matches have ended the same way, a 2-0 win for the Sounders. Starfire may be our fortress but Merlo Field is definitely our summer home.
S2 went without leading goal and assist machine, Andy Craven, instead starting HGP wonderkids Victor Mansaray and Darwin Jones. As the game ran into first half stoppage time it looked like each team had a date with a goose egg but it all changed when Darwin Jones beat his man in the edge of the box, got to the touchline, and sent a ball back across the six to Sam Garza at the back post who neatly flicked it in for a halftime lead.
Ashani Fairclough made his S2 debut to start the second half coming on for Jimmy Ockford and had a strong half against a tired Portland front line. Subs Duncan McCormick and Pablo Rossi linked up to give the Sounders a two goal lead with four minutes left in the 90. Captain Crunch played Rossi in with a perfectly weighted through ball leaving Rossi with just keeper Jake Gleeson to beat. He did and grabbed the team lead with six goals on the season for S2.
Charlie Lyon was forced into five saves and secured his fourth shutout of the season, second in a row. The club has shutout opponents in three of their last four, with Troy Perkins having the other shutout in his lone USL match.
S2 will look to win their 5th and final match against T2 in late July. They've won each match at Starfire 2-1, to add to their 2-0 wins at Merlo.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |2-0| Portland Timbers 2
Monday, June 29, 2015
Venue: Merlo Field, Portland, Ore.
Attendance: 2,932
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA - Sam Garza (Darwin Jones) 45+'
SEA - Pablo Rossi (Duncan McCormick) 86'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Charlie Lyon, Giuliano Frano, Nick Miele, Jimmy Ockford (Ashani Fairclough 46'), Andres Correa (Choong sil Lim 64'), Sam Garza (Lorenzo Ramos 61'), Aaron Long, Amadou Sanyang, Aaron Kovar, Vic Mansaray (Pablo Rossi 76'), Darwin Jones (Duncan McCormick 85')
Substitutes not used: RJ Noll, Nate Tongovula
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 4
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 5
Portland Timbers 2 - Jake Gleeson, Andy Thoma, Rennico Clarke, Harrison Delbridge, Matt Rose, Tim Payne, Nick Besler (Brent Richards 64'), Blair Gavin, Blake Bodily (Steven Evans 76'), Kharlton Belmar, Fatawu Safiu (Santiago Biglieri 81')
Substitutes not used: Justin Luthy, Seth Casiple
Total shots: 17
Shots on goal: 5
Offside: 2
Corners kicks: 4
Saves: 2