The first playoff series in five years between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders is delicately poised after the Timbers secured a 2-1 victory in Sunday's first leg at Providence Park.
Sebastian Blanco and Jeremy Ebobisse scored during a 12-minute stretch of the first half to give Portland the lead, reversing proceedings after Raul Ruidiaz had put visitors in front on 10 minutes.
Both sides appeared relatively content with the score during a more conservative second half, though the Timbers' Diego Valeri and Sounders' Victor Rodriguez had quality chances late.
Goals
- 10' - SEA - Raul Ruidiaz | WATCH
- 17' - POR - Jeremy Ebobisse | WATCH
- 29' - POR - Sebastian Blanco | WATCH
Three Things
THE BIG PICTURE:
Seattle's job in the return leg could be made tougher on Thursday if
Cristian Roldan
and
Chad Marshall
aren't available. Roldan injured in the 31st minute and Marshall followed in the 40th, prompting this tweet from the club before halftime:
Head coach Brian Schmetzer offered an update after the match
Up Next
- Western Conference Semifinal Leg 2
Thursday November 8 (10:30 pm ET)
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers