Played
June 24, 2012 5:10 PM EDT
JELD-WEN Field — Portland, Oregon
Referee: R. Salazar
Attendance: 20438
June 24, 2012 5:10 PM EDT
JELD-WEN Field — Portland, Oregon
Referee: R. Salazar
Attendance: 20438
Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders FC: Timbers pull out a victory for embattled coach John Spencer
Portland battles for its embattled coach in a gritty 2-1 win over heated Pacific Northwest rival Seattle.
By Alex Labidou
Getty
John Spencer will likely see another week in charge of the Portland Timbers.
The Portland Timbers pulled out a gritty 2-1 win against their heated rivals, the Seattle Sounders, at Jeld-Wen Field. Timbers Designated Player Kris Boyd and defender David Horst scored a goal each while former United States international Eddie Johnson scored for Seattle.
While every match between teams in the Northwest is a highly contested affair, this match had higher expectations than usual. With the Timbers sitting last in the MLS Western Conference heading into the match, there was speculation that a loss would cost Spencer his job. His players wanted to put an end to those thoughts.
Boyd opened up scoring for the Timbers, getting into the center of the box and finishing Steven Smith's cross in the 15th minute. Horst doubled the Timbers' lead, also scoring from a cross this time from Franck Songo'o. Yet, the Sounders weren't going to let their rivals run away with a victory.
In the second half, Johnson beat two defenders in the box and launched a rocket into the left side of the goal. After that play, the Timbers bunked on defense and things got physical.
Seattle's Fredy Montero and Portland's Lovel Palmer each received red cards in injury time after being involved in a fight on field with several players from both sides. After the incident, the Timbers managed to maintain their lead and hang on for a crucial win.
The Portland Timbers pulled out a gritty 2-1 win against their heated rivals, the Seattle Sounders, at Jeld-Wen Field. Timbers Designated Player Kris Boyd and defender David Horst scored a goal each while former United States international Eddie Johnson scored for Seattle.
While every match between teams in the Northwest is a highly contested affair, this match had higher expectations than usual. With the Timbers sitting last in the MLS Western Conference heading into the match, there was speculation that a loss would cost Spencer his job. His players wanted to put an end to those thoughts.
Boyd opened up scoring for the Timbers, getting into the center of the box and finishing Steven Smith's cross in the 15th minute. Horst doubled the Timbers' lead, also scoring from a cross this time from Franck Songo'o. Yet, the Sounders weren't going to let their rivals run away with a victory.
In the second half, Johnson beat two defenders in the box and launched a rocket into the left side of the goal. After that play, the Timbers bunked on defense and things got physical.
Seattle's Fredy Montero and Portland's Lovel Palmer each received red cards in injury time after being involved in a fight on field with several players from both sides. After the incident, the Timbers managed to maintain their lead and hang on for a crucial win.
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
