Jordan Morris scored for the Sounders (9-13-4). They beat the Timbers 3-1 last Sunday in Seattle but then had a mid-week match at Houston that ended with a 1-all draw.
Seattle forward Clint Dempsey missed the game because of medical tests for an irregular heartbeat. Dempsey also was unavailable for the U.S. national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
“I will accept the blame for the first half. It’s my job to make sure the team is prepared, and obviously that didn’t happen,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.
It was the third meeting this season between the Cascadia Cup rivals. Fans of the two teams, along with supporters of the Vancouver Whitecaps, created the Cascadia Cup in 2004 for the winner of the three-way contest based on points each season.
Seattle narrowed it when Andreas Ivanschitz’s shot deflected off a Portland defender and past goalkeeper Jake Gleeson in the 47th minute. Morris scored some four minutes later with a header and the Sounders gained some momentum.
“I think it was the best performance of the year,” Valeri said. “We knew that they’d played on Wednesday against Houston, they traveled, so we took advantage of that, and we did it well, with a good performance. We scored four goals, and it could have been more goals, too.”
The Timbers visit first-place Dallas next Sunday, still looking for their first road win. The Sounders visit San Jose on Sept. 10.
Seattle, in eighth place in the conference standings, could have been helped by Dempsey, who is tied for the team lead with eight goals.
“When you have one less attacker like that on the field, it always makes it a little bit tougher,” Morris aid. “We were gelling, I thought, with Clint in the lineup, so it’s tough. But, obviously, his health comes first and we hope Clint’s good with that.”
Seattle general manager Garth Lagerwey said Friday that Dempsey’s irregular heartbeat is something the team has been monitoring during the season and the club is now waiting on the recommendations of doctors on how to proceed.
“Clint has given a great service to this club and we owe him an equal measure of respect and support as we go through this medical evaluation,” Lagerwey said.
As a result, Dempsey was left off the U.S. national team roster for a pair of upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. The Americans visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday then hosts Trinidad and Tobago in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sept. 6.
