2019 U.S. Open Cup - Fourth Round
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers
Cheney Stadium— Tacoma
June 12 - 10:30 PM ET
STREAMING: ESPN+
One of the fiercest rivalries in Major League Soccer gets sparked up again in the U.S. Open Cup when the Seattle Sounders meet the Portland Timbers in the fourth round at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma Wednesday night.
It is the first time the Cascadia rivals meet at Cheney Stadium, home of the Sounders USL Championship affiliate Tacoma Defiance. It is the sixth all-time meeting with the Sounders holding a 3-1-1 edge, including a 2-1 victory over the Timbers in the 2017 fourth round.
Seattle Sounders FC
Tied with the Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City for most USOC titles among MLS teams, the Sounders begin their quest for a fifth championship coming off three consecutive losses in league play, including a 2-1 defeat to the Montreal Impact on June 5. Victor Rodriguez put the Sounders in front from the penalty spot, but Saphir Taider responded with a brace, including a PK of his own, to extend Seattle's winless streak to four matches.
Last year, the Sounders were upset in the fourth round by host Sacramento Republic, 2-1, in extratime. In the last USOC meeting with the Timbers, Zach Mathers broke a 1-1 stalemate from the penalty spot to send Seattle to the Round of 16.
Portland Timbers
The Timbers also enter the USOC off a loss, as LAFC won 3-2 to spoil the grand re-opening of Providence Park on June 1. Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi gave the visitors a two-goal lead in the first half before Cristhian Paredes pulled the Timbers to within a goal one minute into the second half. Brian Fernandez canceled out Latif Blessing's goal with a stunning bicycle kick six minutes from full time, but they couldn't find the equalizer.
A year ago, the Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy to reach the quarterfinals where they fell to LAFC, 3-2.
Series Matchup
- Sounders: 3 wins, 9 goals
- Timbers: 1 win, 7 goals
- 1 draw
Officials
- To be announced