PORTLAND, Ore. — On the heels of Wednesday’s game in Mexico City, the Portland Timbers’ Sunday derby against Seattle Sounders FC was always going to be demanding. Not only was the game a quick turnaround and the culmination of five games in 15 days, but it was against Portland’s biggest rivals - a team that came into the weekend with the best record in Major League Soccer.
For much of the day’s match, the Timbers met that challenge, though in sports, there’s no column in the standings for “much of the match.” With their 2-1 loss, Portland fell to 1-3-0 on the season, and combined with Concacaf Champions League play, the team is winless in their last four games.