Portland Timbers knock off Seattle Sounders to break slump

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:14 am

Eryk Williamson had a goal and an assist as the Portland Timbers won for the first time in four matches since claiming the MLS is Back Tournament championship, defeating the host Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Sunday night.

Felipe Mora scored for the third consecutive match for the Timbers, who avenged a 3-0 loss at home to the Sounders on Aug. 23.

Kelvin Leerdam tallied for the Sounders, who suffered their first loss since the MLS tourney.

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Mora broke a 1-1 tie in the 83rd minute. Williamson dribbled the ball through the center of the field and rolled a pass forward for Mora, who was able to stay even with the last Sounders defenders to remain onside. Mora's 12-yard shot from the right-center of the penalty area got past diving Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and hit the netting inside the left post.

The 23-year-old Williamson scored his first MLS goal to give the Timbers the lead in the ninth minute on a stunning individual display. A cross from the right wing was headed away, but Williamson collected the ball about 30 yards from goal and dribbled past two defenders before making a pass to Diego Valeri at the top of the 18-yard box. Williamson continued his run into the penalty area and Valeri's one-touch, give-and-go pass put Williamson behind the Sounders defense. From there, Williams beat Frei with a right-footed shot from the top of the 6-yard box.

Eryk Williamson
Eryk Williamson
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Sounders pulled even in the 42nd minute. Nicolas Lodeiro's cross from the left wing toward the penalty spot was headed away by a Portland defender but the ball bounced right to an open Leerdam at the top of the 18-yard box. He blasted a one-timer toward the lower left corner of the net that Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark was only able to get his fingertips on.

Frei made three saves and Clark had two.

Midfielder Sebastian Blanco, who earned MVP honors at MLS is Back last month, suffered an early right knee injury and had to be replaced in the fifth minute.