Scoreless in Seattle: Timbers and Sounders play to 0-0 draw
For the first time in their history as major-league soccer rivals, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers played out a 0-0 draw with limited scoring chances.
SEATTLE — SEATTLE (AP) — For the first time in their history as Major League Soccer rivals Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers drew 0-0 on Saturday in a game where scoring chances were limited and none of the goaltenders were tested.
At least one goal has been scored in each of the last 39 MLS games between the teams, in the regular season and in the postseason.
But with the draw, Portland continued its surprising winning streak in Seattle as the Timbers are now undefeated in their last eight games at Lumen Field. Portland’s last loss in Seattle was on May 27, 2017.
The Timbers are on a two-game losing streak despite ending up with just two shots on goal, but Portland will clinch the tie against their most heated opponent after beating the Sounders 4-1 at home in April.
Meanwhile, the tie was a disappointing point for Seattle after losing three of their last four games, including a 1-0 home loss to San Jose on Wednesday. It also highlighted the Sounders’ difficulties in scoring for nearly six weeks. In their last 10 games, Seattle has scored just six goals and has been ruled out in four of those games.
Seattle’s only shot on goal came in the 53rd minute from defenseman Yeimar Andrade. Seattle goaltender Stefan Frei recorded his 100th career shutout.
Cristian Roldan made his first appearance for Seattle in almost two months when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute. Roldan last played against St. Louis City on April 8 before suffering a concussion in training that left him sidelined for an extended period. The injury also cost Roldan any chance of being considered for the United States squad competing in the CONCACAF Nations League later this month.
Despite the break, Roldan looked sharp and set up Seattle’s best scoring opportunity in the 63rd minute when his cut and cross found Leo Chu, but his header went wide.
The game was the first half of a doubles game at Lumen Field, where the city’s NWSL teams met in the second game and OL Reign hosted the Portland Thorns.
