Let’s get straight to the point: last night’s 3-0 derby victory over the Portland Timbers was absolutely wild. With so much action on the pitch, including a flurry of second half goals, it’s easy to miss some of the key narratives and tactical foundations that emerged.
With the benefit of hindsight (and limited sleep), let’s breakdown the Seattle Sounders’ thrilling victory over their bitter rival. Here’s six things you may have missed.
Raúl Ruidíaz the ultimate villain: Rivalries are only as strong as their leading figures. That rang especially true for Clint Dempsey and the Portland Timbers, as Deuce terrorized Seattle’s rivals for years with clutch goals and heroic performances, making him the ultimate heel in the Sounders-Timbers rivalry.