Assumed you needed a week off to process whatever the heck that was. I sure did.
Seattle had everything going their way: a nine-point week in the rearview, an underwhelming Portland team entering Lumen Field, the opportunity to create even more momentum, add a local trophy, and earn seeding for the long playoff push. Instead, a Portland team that had been struggling arrived in Seattle, picked up an MVP performance from their new DR (Designated Referee) and rode what little they created on their own soccer merits to a local trophy win within a complete mockery of a soccer match. The disappointing 1-1 final score was reminiscent of the Sounders’ early-season home struggles. It was another match in which Seattle dominated in all respects except the scoreboard, yet were brutally punished via another questionable red card against.
Regular season thoughts: With such a sour note to end on, it’s hard to remember there has been genuinely high quality play for months now, and a clear direction and identity for the team.
Goalkeeper
Stefan Frei – 5 | Community – 6.3
Frei wasn’t particularly good or bad in this match, but did have some decent plays. He was only credited with a single save, which didn’t include a 76th minute Evander shot that beat him off the post and then ricocheted off Frei’s head. He came out to the edge of the box to make a play in the 90th minute but didn’t have much to say about the one Portland did score on, standing rooted and then weakly diving to his right as they equalized on a counter. Stefan was again the team captain, and it may be a detriment having him being so far away from the ear of the referee. Not having that on-field general to provide guidance, remind players they’re on a yellow, or not to yell at the referee, may have had an impact on this game.
Regular season thoughts: Frei is clearly not as mobile or acrobatic as he once was, but he can rack up (mostly) shutouts with the best defense in the league in front of him.
Defense
Nouhou – 5 | Community – 6.4 (off 93’ for Ruidíaz)
For much of the match Nouhou was excellent, showing quality 1-v-1 defense and the speed needed to shut down the counter-attacking soccer that Portland wanted to play. He had a number of great defensive plays including five clearances, and he almost scored on an improbable right-footed volley late. Unfortunately, he had some notable errors as well, including poor decision making when pushing into the attack, a hard tackle that earned him an early yellow card, and poor recovery defense on the goal against. Like when Cody Baker did it earlier this year: allowing a player to cut inside is not the right move, no matter how much that “puts them on their worse foot.” Nouhou allowed a cut back to threaten the entire goal, and the Timbers were level moments later.
Regular season thoughts: The hate for this polarizing player died down some as the team improved and got more output from the wings, and Nouhou had a very solid defensive season.
Jackson Ragen – 5 | Community – 6.3
Ragen has historically struggled against Portland and he did so in the biggest moment of the Seattle defensive evening. Three tackles, three clearances, and 92 percent passing were like what Jackson has been offering for months, but the dive and miss right before to the Timbers’ equalizing goal was something that we haven’t seen in quite some time. It was frustrating for Seattle’s strong overall performance to be erased via poor officiating and one defensive lapse, but Ragen was one of about six players who combined in a key moment, and the defense couldn’t hold on to the win.
Regular season thoughts: Ragen is a “modern” centerback who plays more facilitator and creator than pure stopper, and he’s been a key asset to drive Seattle’s inside-out resurgence.
Yeimar – 7 (MOTM) | Community – 7.6 (MOTM)
After a few “just okay” matches, Yeimar was back in a rivalry game and continued to put up big numbers. Four tackles, three interceptions, four clearances, and one very big target on set pieces made the Seattle right center back a force on both ends of the field. Early in the match he showcased a fantastic connection with Pedro de la Vega, continually finding the Seattle DP in space, connecting from the defense to Pedro’s dynamic movement. Yeimar locked down his side of the field, winning every duel and opportunity to push the ball forward. He was one of the key pieces on offense as well, being a great target on set pieces to the tune of three shots, including the lone Seattle goal. This was a perfectly placed and difficult fade away header that kept Seattle in control in the 37th minute.
Regular season thoughts: Yeimar is so good at what he does that everyone around him is supercharged. He has been the most consistent high performer in Seattle’s defense.
Alex Roldan – 6 | Community – 6.0
Alex had a cohesive outing, playing a roaming possession-based fullback and filling a lot of gaps. Much of Seattle’s success came from central creation that either bypassed lines directly vertical or pushed inside out to the width and back. Roldan was excellent at helping add numbers to these middle areas, and he had some essential touches that weren’t dynamic, but were necessary. He was clean with the ball after multiple turnovers in the first five minutes, and adding another body central where Portland wanted to push through helped Seattle to befuddle their counter attacks.
Regular season thoughts: Alex has found a new role and been adequate in it. Seattle is a better team with more central control, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be built into the lineup graphic.
Defensive Midfield
Obed Vargas – 4 | Community – 5.8
Obed was having a tumultuous match that got even crazier in the 69th minute as he was sent off for his second yellow in five minutes. Prior to this obscenely poor call, Obed had a number of misconnections, moments of struggle in pressure, and was out of position when Portland counter-attacked through the middle to equalize. On the positive side, he showed moments of absolute brilliance, with his fantastic gliding stride into the box in the 36th almost scoring, and an even better 49th minute dribble into the area. He paired well in the center and found ways to combine with the attack while staying out of the way. All of this was offset by a silly yellow for obstructing a restart attempt, followed by an agitated shout and motion towards the ref, both deemed unacceptable. Each was debatable, but together they added up to Obed getting shipped out of the match in the 69th minute and time off next week, too.
Regular season thoughts: Vargas’ growth and maturity are on full display this season, but the inconsistency that comes with that curve is frustrating at times.
Cristian Roldan – 7 | Community – 7.1
Roldan was excellent in this match, again reprising his central metronomic role, finding the ball and continually making the right decisions. When necessary, he moved the ball wide and kept possession, but also understood when to force the issue forward, leading the team with an incredible 17 passes into the final third. He also joined the offense himself, picking his moments to get forward and combine as an extra attacking option. He led the team with four key passes, and had multiple shots of his own. A number of bad crosses were the only downside, as Roldan lacked the crispness needed to translate his excellent movement to goals, notably in the 21st and 63rd minutes.
Regular season thoughts: Roldan has been the engine of the team for years now, and centralizing that engine has paid off for Seattle.
Attacking Midfield
Paul Rothrock – 5 | Community – 6.3 (off 86’ for Minoungou)
Paul didn’t have the same impact he’s had lately, and failed to change the scoreboard. His movement was still solid, but Portland defended him well and looked to have specifically gameplanned to deny some of his propensities. While not overly impressive, his body of work was efficient and combined well into the overall thrust of the attack. His 30th, 32nd, and 49th minute decisions were the wrong ones, either missing an open teammate with a better shooting option, or not choosing correctly in the big moment.
Regular season thoughts: The biggest revelation of the season has now set a bar to stay above.
Albert Rusnák – 7 | Community – 6.8
Rusnák had a match that mirrored his season, in that he did everything he’s successfully and consistently brought to the soccer field. The difference in this match was the refereeing and the execution of teammates around him. Albert earned three key passes, two shots, an assist, and was involved in most of Seattle’s buildup and breakouts. An excellent 30th minute far post cross highlighted his vision and understanding of where to put the ball for others to succeed. He followed this up with an excellent corner that Yeimar finished. There were a few times when the connection up front didn’t quite come off, and Seattle as a whole needed to be more capable of putting the match away before the refereeing could impact the scoreline.
Regular season thoughts: Another game, another goal contribution from the consistent creative force.
Pedro de la Vega – 6 | Community – 6.1 (off 73’ for Baker-Whiting)
Lost somewhat in the whole “referee blows, rivalry loss (tie, whatever) at home, blargh” of it all was Pedro improving on his prior match, which had been his best outing of the year. He also played a few more minutes than he has, adding a distinct attacking flair and combining with teammates all without getting hurt. There were a ton of offensive highlights to show what he is about, like his 19th minute breakaway via Jordan Morris and just filthy dribble through the defense and shot in the 69th minute. Pedro combined well with teammates, and most importantly was directly goal dangerous and connecting with Morris to create big chances.
Regular season thoughts: The improvement curve for Pedro is very intriguing, and hooo boy, if he keeps this trajectory, Seattle is going to be something in the postseason.
Forward
Jordan Morris – 6 | Community – 5.6
Jordan again did a ton of unnoticed things, paired with very noticeable misses on big chances. Combining centrally to put PDLV in on goal in the first 20 minutes showed a great understanding of his teammates. Morris added multiple other big chances, being stopped by the Timbers keeper via a medley of quality saves, and by the referee via a medley of premature whistles. Understanding all the good chances and opportunity creation is one thing, watching your forward fail to score for the fourth game in a row does perhaps make your eye twitch.
Regular season thoughts: Morris is doing everything a striker needs to do and looks poised to go nuclear in the postseason.
Substitutes
Reed Baker-Whiting – 6 | Community – 5.2 (on 73’ for PDLV)
Reed was the first sub, entering for Pedro, and he responded with some enterprising offensive work. The highlights were excellent crosses, of which he connected on two of his three attempts. He continually got the ball into dangerous areas, showing good athleticism and dealing smart passes into the box. The unpolished part of his play showed up in a few small moments, and he wasn't able to translate his smart passing into key passes.
Regular season thoughts: Reed needs more time to develop and that’s okay.
Georgi Minoungou – 5 | Community – 5.3 (on 86’ for Rothrock)
Minoungou wasn’t given as much time this match, entering late in an adverse game state. Georgi made stuff happen, though, forcing a save on his single shot and getting a majority of his touches in the opponent’s penalty area.
Regular season thoughts: Another player who forced themselves to be signed, Seattle has had varied results when players burst onto the scene in this way, and creating the consistency of the successful players in front of him will be a must.
Raúl Ruidíaz – 5 | Community – 5.1 (on 93’ for Nouhou)
Nouhou subbed out late for the Timbers killer Raúl Ruidíaz, who had a bittersweet return to the field in what was likely his last appearance in the regular season. Raúl got some garbage time in a match when the team was down a man. He wasn’t on long enough to do anything.
Regular season thoughts: We’ll miss him; how about he goes out on top?
Referee
Ismir Pekmic – 2 | Community – 1.7
This was an absolute travesty. This referee was so bad I had to go back and look at historical data to see where he landed overall. This meant revisiting Geiger, Toledo, Fischer, Elfath, Marrufo, and comparing to Pekmic’s historical data (two games, 6.5 average including a solid score in the RSL match earlier this year). While those other guys had a longer tenure of awful ratings, this was among the worst-rated single matches ever. Pekmic didn’t understand the gravity of a rivalry match and did such a poor job of reffing that I needed a week off to rewatch and write about it. The calls were wrong or they made no sense, and numerous calls were missed. More than anything, his failure to be consistent between calls ruined the match. When one team has 15 fouls and no cards and the other has eight fouls and four yellows, as a minimum it’s inconsistent, and it looks like bias. Jonathan Rodríguez clearly dissented to the referee at least twice prior to Obed’s second yellow and once AFTER without so much as a warning. Pekmic also denied Seattle massive chances due to immediate whistles on fouls, eliminating advantage plays. At one point, Seattle had a 5-on-1 and the play was stopped for a foul, which wasn’t carded, of course. There is no excuse for stopping multiple attacks with your whistle instead of allowing play on for advantage.
Portland Timbers MOTM
James Pantemis put in work in Seattle. Especially when the Sounders were on the front foot, he did well to limit them to a single goal, saving six of the seven on-target attempts he faced. And, to be fair, the one he didn’t save was pretty close to unsavable.
Upcoming: Home playoff matches, time to do what we do. Hay Fe.
