TUKWILA, Wash. – For the Sounders, the goal of Friday night’s preseason game was to test their starting unit’s fitness in a competitive, 11-vs.-11 match.
By that measure, the Cascadia Summit opener vs. Portland was a success. Seattle coach Sigi Schmid got to use Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and a handful of other players for 90 minutes, just 11 days before Seattle open the season against the LA Galaxy.
But by the score line, the game match was a dud. Schmid was extremely unhappy to drop a 2-0 decision to the Timbers, even in a preseason game.
WATCH: Full match highlights
"Extremely disappointing,” Schmid said of the match. “I don't like losing. I don't think anybody in that locker room likes losing, but it is what it is. We lost 2-0 tonight.”
Despite an 18-7 advantage in shots, Seattle came up empty on the scoreboard. Alvaro Fernandez had the best chance to score, missing the net on a bouncing ball from very close range. In the end, the strike force led Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo only netted Seattle four shots on goal.
“It's preseason,” Schmid said. “What's important is to finish our chances when the season starts so we got to bury chances at practice and bury chances at practice games.”
Schmid was unhappy with the goals Seattle gave up. He characterized the first goal as “soft.” The second came deep into stoppage time as the Sounders were attempting to find the equalizer.
In the wet and frigid conditions – temperature at kickoff was 40 degrees – both teams struggled at times to maintain consistency. But Portland coach John Spencer commended his defense on staying compact and forcing Seattle to move the ball around to find holes.
"I said to them I thought their shape was excellent,” Spencer said. “I thought their reaction and desire to get to the ball and win tackles was great.”
In the end, it may be difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions from the match, due to the conditions and the small field at Starfire Sports Stadium. However, Spencer was as pleased as Schmid was chagrined at the final result.
“To be fair, I think the best team on the night won this game," Spencer said.
