The Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders F.C. have shown great form so far entering the third month of the 2011 MLS season. They can compete with other established successful MLS clubs, what the young franchises have proved.

On Saturday, May 11, the Timbers and Sounders will meet for the first this season. The clubs faced each other in a friendly pre-season game in early March. Kenny Cooper goal in stoppage as well as Jorge Perlaza’s 21st minute goal helped the Timbers earn a 2-0 victory. The circumstances of that early spring match were different though. In Tukwila, Washington, the game was played in front of a crowd of 3,000. The Sounders can count on a much stronger home fan support as Saturday’s game will be held at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The Timbers and Sounders are ranked in the middle of the Western Conference table with 13 points each, looking at the current standings. While Seattle comply it in 10 games, it took Portland eight games to earn the points though. Even though the Timbers have found the back of the goal in fewer attempts, each team has scored 12 goals so far (ranked top in the league). Consisting of Cooper, Perlaza, Jewsbury, and Wallace, overall, Portland has a more diverse offensive lineup, particularly a strong scoring force.

The Timbers have performed slightly better in May, comparing recent momentum. Portland lost to the Earthquakes 1-0, in the month’s first match although then recuperated three days later with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.

May has been a bitter road trip for the Sounders which included a 2-1 loss to D.C. United followed by a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew. in front of a crowd of more than 36,000, on Saturday, the Sounders will be thrilled to be back home and hope to repeat a similar late April performance of a 3-0 victory against Toronto F.C. Closer to game time, get MLS Soccer Odds for this matchup.

May 12th, 2011 Subscribe to the RSS feed!