TUCSON, Ariz. – The Portland Timbers recorded their second consecutive shutout as they played Seattle Sounders FC to a scoreless draw in a preseason match Saturday night at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz.
Portland (1-0-2 in preseason) has conceded just one goal in three matches during the club’s two-week preseason stint in southern Arizona and, since the club began preseason play on Feb. 1, has not conceded a goal for 239 straight minutes. Goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts and Andrew Weber combined for the shutout against Sounders FC (2-0-1 in preseason).
Earning the majority of possession during the opening 45 minutes, Portland kept the Sounders FC defense on its heels with a number of forays into the area. Midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe placed a low drive from 25 yards out just wide of the left post in the 25th minute and forward Gastón Fernández found space near the goal box in the 43rd minute only to guide his header attempt right at the goalkeeper.
Forward Frederic Piquionne saw a chance at a 90th-minute game-winner dashed as Sounders FC defender Jalil Anibaba made a sliding stop on Piquionne’s low shot. Seattle goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann misread a long pass into the Timbers attacking third and Piquionne collected the loose ball after it bounced over the oncoming goalkeeper’s head. Unluckily for the Martinique international, Anibaba alertly slid in front of goal, knocking away Piquionne’s shot on frame.
Making a number of changes after 60 minutes, Portland’s defense continued to deny Seattle’s advances late into the match, clearing away two Seattle corner kicks out of the penalty box.
The Timbers and Sounders FC played the match in three, 30-minute periods. The two teams combined for five yellow cards in the sometimes physical match.
Portland plays NASL expansion side Indy Eleven in their fourth and final preseason match during the team’s stay in Tucson on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Kino Sports Complex at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Following Wednesday’s match, the Timbers will return to Portland in preparation for the Rose City Invitational, which begins on Feb. 23.
Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS Preseason)
Feb. 8, 2014 – Kino Sports Complex (Tucson, Ariz.)
Match composed of three, 30-minute periods
Scoring Summary:
None
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Kah (Caution), 26
SEA: Bowen (Caution), 30
SEA: Yedlin (Caution), 41
POR: Powell (Caution), 49
POR: Danso (Caution), 81
Lineups:
POR: GK Donovan Ricketts (Andrew Weber, 60); D Jack Jewsbury (Taylor Peay^, 60), D Norberto Paparatto (Futty Danso, 60), D Pa Modou Kah (Rauwshan McKenzie, 60), D Michael Harrington (Alvas Powell, 30); M Will Johnson (Ben Zemanski, 60)(Aaron Long^, 87), M Kalif Alhassan (Schillo Tshuma^, 30), M Diego Chara (George Fochive^, 60); F Darlington Nagbe (Michael Nanchoff, 60), F Maximiliano Urruti (Frederic Piquionne, 60), F Gastón Fernández (Jorge Villafaña, 60)
SEA: GK Marcus Hahnemann, D DeAndre Yedlin (Michael Azira, 71), D Chad Marshall (Jalil Anibaba, 76), D Djimi Traore (Tared Morad, 60), D Dylan Remick (Aaron Kovar, 60), M Tristan Bowen (Miguel Gonzalez, 60), M Osvaldo Alonso (Alex Caskey, 60), M Brad Evans (Fabio Pereira^, 60), M Lamar Neagle (Dzenan Catic, 60), F Kenny Cooper (Eriz Zavaleta, 60), F Obafemi Martins (David Estrada, 60)
* Trialist/guest player; ^ 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick
Notes:
- Timbers head coach Caleb Porter used 23 different players during Saturday’s match against Seattle Sounders FC.
- Saturday marked the third preseason meeting between the Timbers and Sounders FC since 2011. The sides previously met on March 4, 2011, and Feb. 5, 2013. Portland has not conceded a goal in three preseason matches against Seattle while earning a 2-0-1 all-time preseason record against Sounders FC.
