There was undeniable progress made by the Portland Timbers on Sunday, particularly when you compared their underlying play against Seattle Sounders FC to the two games that proceeded it, lopsided losses to D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City.
Thanks to a late, game-deciding own goal, though, few players wanted to talk about that progress. Still, head coach Giovanni Savarese was right to say, after the match, that the Timbers had dominated. In terms of chances. In terms of tempo, In terms of control.
Unfortunately, though, not in terms of the scoreboard.
“We were completely dominating this match,” he offered, unequivocally, after the match.