About the Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders Rivalry

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 05 January 2024

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders

• History & Previous Meetings
• Portland Timbers’ Memorable Moments
• Portland Timbers’ Recent Form and Season
• Seattle Sounders Memorable Moments
• Seattle Sounders’ Recent Form and Season

The Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders rivalry dates back to the North American Soccer League of the 1970s and has continued through lower-level leagues, including the A-League, now known as the USL First Division, and into Major League Soccer (MLS).

The first derby between these two clubs was played in May 1975 when Seattle Sounders defeated Portland Timbers 1-0. The return match, played in July that same year, saw Portland avenge their loss with a 2-1 victory. The rivalry is among the oldest soccer rivalries in the United States and is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in MLS.

The deep-seated hatred between the clubs and the genuine animosity between the supporters of both teams fuels the rivalry and has produced countless seminal moments, reinforcing each club’s fierce enmity.

History & Previous Meetings

Across all competitions, these two rivals have clashed 138 times. Seattle Sounders have the better head-to-head record in the fixture, and as such are the favourites among fans of MLS online betting.

Apart from dominating the derby, Seattle Sounders have more trophies than their rivals. The Sounders have two MLS Cups, four US Open Cups, and a CONCACAF Champions League trophy in their cabinet. Meanwhile, Portland Timbers only have one MLS Cup in their kitty and will be desperate to clinch more silverware in the upcoming seasons.

Portland Timbers’ Memorable Moments

This derby has produced several memorable moments over the years, but there are few that every passionate Timbers Army member will remember fondly for years to come. Those moments include the thrilling playoff victories of the 2013 and 2018 MLS seasons.

In the 2013 MLS season, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders clashed five times. Three of those encounters came in the league, with both sides winning one each and the third ending in a stalemate. Later on, in the playoff semifinals, courtesy of goals from Ryan Johnson and Darlington Nagbe, the Timbers nabbed a crucial 2-1 win on enemy territory. In the second leg, the hosts conceded two goals after scoring three and held on to that lead to advance to the finals, where they lost against Real Salt Lake.

In the 2015 MLS season, the two clubs met four times, but the biggest highlight came in the Open Cup when Seattle Sounders finished with just eight men on the pitch after extra time. In a frustrating and feisty affair, Brad Evans, Michael Azira, and Clint Dempsey were sent off in the match that was later dubbed The Red Card Wedding. While Evans and Azira were sent off for fouls, Dempsey was given his marching orders after tearing the referee’s notebook in the 113th minute. Portland Timbers won that Round 4 encounter 3-1.

Portland Timbers’ Recent Form and Season

As things stand, Portland Timbers are on the verge of MLS playoff qualification this season. The club has collected 43 points from 32 games and is ranked seventh in the table. They are six points behind Seattle Sounders and will be looking to face them in the playoffs to complete a hat-trick of knockout wins over their rivals.

After dodging defeat against the Sounders in three league games this season, the Timbers have extended their unbeaten streak against their arch-rivals to six games. At home, Portland clinched a splendid 4-1 win over the Sounders, and on enemy territory, they held the hosts to draws on both occasions.

Seattle Sounders Memorable Moments

Lately, Seattle Sounders have had a tough time getting points off their rivals, but the situation was different in the 2021 MLS season. The two teams collided thrice in the league that season, and all three reaped unexpected results for the spectators. Interestingly, in all three games, the away side clinched all three points.

The first derby of the season was at Providence Park in May. In the 56th minute, Diego Valeri squandered an opportunity to put the hosts in front from the spot. The Argentine struck the post just seven minutes before Raul Ruidiaz converted a penalty at the other end. In the game’s final quarter, Fredy Montero doubled the visitors’ advantage before Bill Poni Tuiloma scored a 94th-minute consolation goal for the hosts.

The second encounter between these two teams was also at Providence Park. In an absolutely nightmarish game for the hosts, they conceded six and scored just two to forfeit three points in the second successive derby. Montero and Ruidiaz were on the scoresheet again, each with a brace, while Jimmy Medranda and Nicolas Benezet scored the other two goals. In the third derby, Seattle were at home and were aiming for a hat-trick of wins but could not keep up with the visitors and suffered a 2-0 defeat after Sebastian Blanco and Felipe Mora scored.

Seattle Sounders’ Recent Form and Season

This season, Seattle Sounders are among the title contenders. After a strong start, the club stuttered a bit but has recovered well and is placed second in the Western Conference league table, seven points off the top with a game in hand. Their loss tally is the lowest in the division after encountering just nine defeats in 32 games.

They have struggled to eke out a win against their rivals, but the club will not be bothered by that and will be focused on the grand prize. And if they come face-to-face with their arch-nemesis in the knockouts, Seattle Sounders will be desperate to end their turbulent run against the Portland Timbers.