Sound loss for Timbers

Portland Timbers player Keith Savage, left, and Seattle Sounders player Nate Jaqua fight for the ball during Wednesday’s match. (Steven Lane/The Columbian)

PORTLAND — The visit by the Seattle Sounders to PGE Park on Wednesday presented the Timbers and their fans with a chance to show their stuff against their rivals from the city and the league to their north.

It quickly turned into a chance for Roger Levesque to stick it to the Timbers — again.

Levesque’s first-minute tally and a goal 25 minutes later by Stephen King stood up as Sounders FC beat the Timbers 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Seattle will move on to face the Kansas City Wizards next Tuesday at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila. The Timbers will return their focus to the United Soccer Leagues First Division — after tonight’s international exhibition with Bayern Munich II.

Surrendering a goal in the opening minute made it difficult for the Timbers to settle into a rhythm on Wednesday.

Little used in Seattle’s MLS games, Levesque scored 48 seconds after the opening kickoff, quickly taking some starch out of the crowd of 16,382 and the home team. It was his first goal with an MLS team, but not his first against the Timbers.

Levesque scored nine goals for Seattle against Portland in five USL-1 seasons, and was the top villain from Seattle for many Timbers fans.

Levesque said he just snuck behind the defense from the left side and found himself in the right spot to head the ball past Portland keeper Steve Cronin from close range.

"Sanna (Nyassi) is so quick down that right side. I knew he was going to get to that end line and cross the ball," Levesque said.

"It all happened so fast ... I think I blacked out."

So, it seemed, did the Timbers. Seattle was dangerous through much of the first 30 minutes and the Timbers back line — which had allowed only three goals in eight previous home matches — seemed a bit frazzled.

The Timbers struggled to explain the poor start on such a big night.

"We just started off slow," defender David Hayes said. "Yes, it’s a big game. But we need to come out a little bit better than that. I think every other game we have. I don’t know what it was tonight."

It was a lack of fundamental defense, according to Portland coach Gavin Wilkinson.

"It came down to some simple mistakes, and at this level, those are costly," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said he was pleased with the way his team responded, especially after the game’s first 30 minutes.

Mandjou Keita, Portland’s top scorer, was dangerous throughout the match.

He made the battle much more intriguing by scoring in the 43rd minute, converting an assist from Hayes and beating Kasey Keller inside the right post. It was his seventh goal in the last five games. And he missed another by inches.

But neither team created much danger after halftime, and the Timbers were left feeling they’d let a great opportunity slip away.

Levesque, on the other hand, was all smiles.

He clearly enjoyed the experience, and the opportunity to sting his pals in the Timbers Army rooting section. But, he also had kind words for the Timbers.

"The Timbers have always had a really strong support system, the best in the USL," Levesque said. "The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. Whether or not that Timbers Army is for you or against you, it’s still good for soccer in the Northwest."

Wednesday was especially good for Mr. Levesque.