Timbers Sounders dustup disappoints

Last night's most anticipated soccer match of the year in Portland unfolded at PGE Park where over 16,000 fans gathered to watch the MLS Sounders play the USL Timbers in a Lamar Hunt Cup fixture. Since the night when Portland's brand new Timbers beat the Sounders 1-0 in a June rainstorm in 1975, these two teams have had a 'special feeling' for each other and the feeling is best described as hostile. In a sign of soccer's growing presence in our part of the world, thousands of Sounders fans traveled south and created a noisy and derisive presence at the south west end of the stands. Behind the north goal, three full sections of Timbers Army regulars augmented by sympathizers created a sea of green and white checkered banners. Smoke bombs of various shades popped off from each end of the field, on occasion being hurled onto the field itself at the Sounders' end.

The two teams took to the field somewhat later than the expected start and had to stand waiting for minutes literally while the referee checked out something on the field before actually placing the ball on the center mark. This might have been a portent of things to come because the officiating was certainly a factor in the match.

Before the game, commentators had stated that one danger for the Timbers was that they would be a little nervous playing against the MLS team before a passionate crowd with much on the table. Fulfilling that prophecy, the normally poised and sharp Timbers back line looked dazed as Seattle started the match with simple give and go play to the right corner followed by a Nyassi run at goal on the right , crossing the ball to the head of Roger Levesque who placed a bullet in the back of the net. Levesque, a member of the Sounders' side even when they were in the USL, has been a nemesis of Portland's for years. His shot sent the Sounders' fans to their feet, screaming gleefully, before the first minute had even ticked off. Ultimately, I think that the first three minutes as the Timbers' found their form were the defining minutes in the result as the one goal difference and the need to 'catch up' held through to the end.

The Timbers, however, showed great heart. They never stopped moving forward. At times, the slightly faster players on the Sounders side forced the boys in green to be less creative in their attacks and loft long balls downfield, they continued to reform and look for getting back into their own form of accurate, patient passing and diverse points of attack. Kita was awesome at the front, taking the ball successfully despite being doublemarked, and working to get it in front to shoot. Not too long after the Sounders goal, Kita appeared to have successfully evened the score with a hard shot that brought the Portland fans to their feet. It was called back, though. I think it did give the Timbers more confidence that they could work it in and make their mark in Keller's net.

When the final whistle blew, after five minutes of added time, the score was Sounders 2 and Timbers 1. The Seattleites second goal was well-executed and earned and worthy of the the team's standing in the MLS. Portland's singlet counter was also a fine goal put in by Kita to get the Timbers on the tote board. The five minutes of added time reflected one of the problems with the match. The referee was inconsistent in letting play go on in very physical situations. I believe that ultimately cost the Timbers more than their opponents. Late in the second half, a Portland attacker, I believe Josten, was muscling the ball into the box on a full run. At the top of the box, one of the two defenders marking him, nudged him hard enough that he went down losing the ball. The nudge came largely from behind leading some 10,000 or so fans to believe that a foul would be given at least and a likely card thrown for the defender's infraction. Instead, the Center gestured 'play on' and Seattle carried the ball back on the counter. There were other circumstances in which he rushed in and flagged physical play. That one instance at least cost Portland a chance in the danger zone and I think could even have earned a pk. Even later in the game, a Seattle player went down away from play in the far corner nearest the Timbers' Army end of the field. Play stopped as the ball went into touch. All craned their necks and waited, wondering what had caused the upset and what might happen next. Nothing. The referee did not restart play. He did not go over to the injured player. The Seattle bench did nothing. The clock ticked.

Minutes passed, literally. Portland players, seeing the sands slipping through the glass and not know if they'd get the time back at the end began protesting. Whatever rhythm the game had had was broken. And ultimately, the player on the ground got up and went off to the side. I had believed that the rules require that a player down on the field be tended to and, if unable to resume play, be removed. I have never seen a scene such as the one last night.

Other memorable if not wonderful moments of the game included scuffles in the Widmer brewpub area between Seattle fans who were taunting Timber Joey and then ended up being hauled away by security, items being hurled onto the field including a water bottle which hit the supine Seattle player as he lay mysteriously on the pitch, and signs such as the one saying "Keller Do The Cobaine" or something similar. None of these represent the spirit of competition. What was humorous and well-executed was a giant effigy of Timber Jim at the start of the game which 'chain-sawed' a giant effigy of the Space Needle.

Walking back down to the car, we all agreed that Seattle has a good team. After all some of their best players were schooled right here in PDX. We all agreed that the Timbers had faced a formidable challenge after the early goal had set them back. We were cheered by the fact that they hadn't lost their fight and focus and we hoped that this loss wouldn't throw them off their strong league play. And we, as often happens, shook our heads at the officiating. It was a lovely night when all was said and done. One for the recordbooks. And it won't be the last time we get a chance at the Sounders. We have things to prove. As they say, "Rose City 'til I die."