US Open Cup: Portland Timbers v. Seattle Sounders

2010 Match-Up Images Courtesy of Spacewalk Creative

Portland Timbers will play host to Seattle Sounders of MLS in the third round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday night at PGE Park. This game is a direct rematch of last year’s encounter, also at PGE Park, won by Seattle 2-1. That day was one of the most exciting sporting events in Portland in years, despite the Sounders going ahead in the first thirty seconds of the game. This year’s version of the old Cascadia rivalry should prove even better as the Timbers enter with the momentum of four wins in their past five games and Seattle struggling in the top flight.

Two other MLS sides failed to advance past the third round on Tuesday with both Red Bull New York and Chicago Fire dropping out to USL-2 clubs. Those massive upsets will give the Timbers even more hope that MLS sides are taking this tournament less seriously than in years past. Though obviously a game against Seattle is always different than any other in American football.

Having rested several key players in their most recent match, Portland will be a full strength against Seattle. James Marcelin will be back from his suspension, Ian Joy should be recovered from his latest injury and the other starters rested against Tampa last weekend will be as fresh as possible. The Timbers also have a force to be reckoned with in break-out forward Bright Dike. Even playing in the top flight will not prepare the Sounders’ defenders for a hulking point man like Dike. Whether or not Gavin Wilkinson will allow the youngster to start is another question, but given his four goals over the past two games, expect to see Dike on the pitch at some point.

This match will also serve as a kind of preview of the rivalry that will immediately join MLS when the Timbers move up in 2011. Major League Soccer has created rivalries where there were none. The Cascadia triumvirate of Portland, Vancouver and Seattle will give the league an intensity that has never been naturally occurring to this point. Though games against lower tiered teams usually do not bring much of an audience, expect MLS clubs and fans to tune in to see what the Portland-Seattle rivalry is all about.

Category: Portland Timbers, US Open Cup