By Anne M. Peterson / Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — Nathan Fogaca’s go-ahead goal in the 76th minute was among four straight Portland goals in the final 19 minutes, giving the Timbers a 4-1 victory over the rival Seattle Sounders 4-1 in a Cascadia Cup match on Saturday night.
Dairon Asprilla, Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Juan Mosquera also scored for the Timbers (2-4-2) in just their second win in eight matches to open the season.
Raul Ruidiaz scored for the Sounders (5-2-1), who lost for just the second time this season and snapped a three-game winning streak.
The Timbers have struggled this season with a spate of injuries. Among those who were out against Seattle were Yimmi Chara (right hamstring) and Felipe Mora (left knee). The Timbers announced earlier this week that defender Eryk Williamson would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.
Seattle’s Cristian Roldan was unavailable because of a concussion. ruled out of the match because of out with a concussion.
The first half was scoreless. Nicolas Lodeiro’s attempt in the ninth minute was saved by Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.
Portland’s best first-half chances came when Evander’s late free kick from just outside the 18-yard box went into the wall, and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei smothered Juan Mosquera’s attempt moments later.
Ruidíaz scored off a cross from Obed Vargas in the 58th. He has scored 11 goals all-time against the Timbers.
Asprilla did a backflip after his bicycle kick goal in the 71st that Frei couldn’t get to. After Fogaca’s goal put the Timbers in front, Niezgoda added another in the 81st. Mosquera’s goal in the 89th wrapped up scoring.
Portland’s only other victory this season came in the opener against Sporting Kansas City.
The Timbers are now unbeaten in four straight matches against the Sounders and won both matches last season.
It was the 39th MLS match between the two teams, including playoff meetings, although the rivalry dates to 1975 when both teams were part of the NASL. Portland leads the MLS series 17-15-7.
The Cascadia Cup is a trophy created by supporters for the Pacific Northwest rivalry between the Sounders, Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Timbers won last year for the third time in the MLS era, going 3-0-1 against the field.
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