At the start of Saturday's Cascadia Cup match, just one player from Portland Timbers' starting lineup had actually ever played against the Seattle Sounders. That doesn't seem to have hurt either team from playing with the emotions you'd expect in a heated rivalry such as this.
Seattle Sounders Vs. Portland Timbers: So Far Pretty Lively
Both teams have gone into tackles with a little something extra and fought for every loose ball. The highest moment of drama came around the 19th minute when Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso clashed with Timbers midfielder Diego Chara. The Timbers Designated Player went down in a heap, holding his face while teammates rushed in looking for some kind of card. No card was shown, though, and replays seemed to show Chara absorbing nothing more than a shoulder.
The rain, which has been coming down steadily ever since right before kickoff, seems to have only enhanced the atmosphere, which features slicker-clad fans throughout the stadium. The rain has not stopped fans from both sides from being in full-throated chanting.
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