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Ruidiaz scores 5th goal in 4 games, Sounders top Timbers 2-1
By The Associated PressMay 9, 2021 GMT
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Raul Ruidiaz scored his fifth goal in four games and the Seattle Sounders beat the rival Portland Timbers 2-1 on Sunday to remain undefeated.
Ruidiaz scored on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and Fredy Montero added a goal in the 79th to help the Sounders improve to 3-0-1.
Seattle’s Stefan Frei stopped a penalty kick in the 56th minute and then denied the re-take. Jeremy Ebobisse drew a foul in the box and Frei deflected Valeri’s attempt, but video review allowed for the retake and Frei blocked Valeri’s attempt again.
Frei has 1,000 career saves, a milestone only eight other MLS goalkeepers have reached.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game, it wasn’t as much possession as we wanted in an ideal situation,” Frei said. “This is a difficult place to come and win, and sometimes it doesn’t have to be pretty to be effective.”
Portland’s Bill Tuiloma denied Frei the shutout with a goal in stoppage time.
It was the 112th meeting between the teams since 1975, when both were part of the North American Soccer League. The Sounders have a 13-10-4 advantage in the MLS era.
Portland (1-3-0) is in the midst of a tough stretch, playing five matches in 15 days. The Timbers are coming off of a 3-1 loss to Club America Wednesday in Mexico City, which eliminated the team in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.