Portland, Ore. — If you’re a Seattle Sounders fan, last night was everything and more. If you’re a Portland Timbers fan, last night was a match to forget. On Sunday night, one of the greatest rivalries in soccer took center stage for the Cascadia derby.
The Seattle Sounders went into Providence Park and demolished the Portland Timbers, 6-2. Fredy Montero and Raul Ruidiaz each had two goals. Jimmy Medranda scored an absolute banger in the 78th minute. And, as colleague Matt Pollard noted on Twitter, Nicolas Benezet scored more goals in just eight touches than he did for the Colorado Rapids in two years.
Nicolas Benezet now has more goals with #Sounders than he did with #Rapids96, with one.
— Matt Pollard (@LWOSMattPollard) August 16, 2021
It was Benezet’s debut and, as Brian Schmetzer noted in the locker room after the match, it only took him eight touches to get on the scoresheet. The Sounders went into the fortress that is Providence Park and put on a show. Montero was the player to strike first, hitting the first two consecutive goals. Montero’s first was off a rebound after a save from Timbers goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic. His second, though, was pure class. At the top of the penalty area, Montero hit a laser past Ivacic for a screamer.
Ruidiaz followed in Montero’s steps with stellar goals. After Sebastian Blanco brought one back for the Timbers and then the home side equalized off a George Fochive slanted-angle shot, Ruidiaz re-took the Sounders lead. The Peruvian international hit a shocking free kick past the entire wall and toward the far post for the 3-2 lead.
78' GOAL, #Sounders! JIMMY MEDRANDA SAID MORE FOR SEATTLE!!! #PORvSEA | 2-5 | #MLS pic.twitter.com/JXdWnEQlaq
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) August 16, 2021
His second was similar to Montero’s first, picking up the rebound after Ivacic made an initial save. Then, just a few minutes later, it was Jimmy Medranda that stole the show with a stunning strike.
Benezet scored the sixth and final goal to send Seattle back with three points.
Cascadia brings the Chaos between Sounders, Timbers
Immediately after the win, the cameras panned to Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer. He was all smiles. It almost gave reminiscence about the “Feeling better than Bob” comments against LAFC. Schmetzer has had so many injury troubles this year. He’s still waiting on the return of Nouhou and Stefan Frei. Meanwhile, Jordan Morris and Jordy Delem both tore their ACLs earlier this year.
Schmetzer spoke after the game about how tough the Sounders players are.
“The quality of our team just showed through,” Schmetzer said. “That team was so motivated right there… They are in there, that’s their team. They are so committed to themselves as individuals and as a group. I don’t have to do much coaching.”
Without a doubt, the Timbers-Sounders rivalries is one of the best in MLS — if not the best overall. Last night was a perfect example of just a downright crazy MLS game. This league is fun and the rivalries are even better.
And, hey, the Sounders players got to warm up their vocal cords for another round of “Jingle Bells.”
🎶 Jingle Bells: Score 6 in Portland Edition. #PORvSEA | #CaptainRoldan pic.twitter.com/2Ng5Umz1H4
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) August 16, 2021
