Seattle Sounders welcome the Portland Timbers this Saturday at Lumen Field for another fiery chapter in MLS’s most heated rivalry. The Cascadia Cup already belongs to Vancouver Whitecaps, but this derby still matters. It will shape playoff seeding in the West and could clinch Portland’s place in the postseason. For Seattle, already qualified, it’s about ending a long and frustrating home drought against their fiercest rival.
Seattle counting on fortress form
The Sounders sit fifth in the conference with 46 points, but momentum has slipped since their Leagues Cup triumph in August. They’re winless in four league games (0W-2L-2D), the latest a 2-2 draw with Vancouver that officially handed over the Cascadia Cup. Even so, Lumen Field has been their safety net, just one defeat in 15 matches, tied with Philadelphia for the league’s best home record.
Injuries at the back remain an issue. Yeimar will miss at least four weeks, and Alex Roldan is doubtful, weakening a defense that has long been the team’s foundation. On the bright side, Albert Rusnák returned in form, scoring and assisting against Vancouver. A victory here won’t necessarily change their place in the table, but it would create breathing space over direct rivals and, just as importantly, restore belief heading into the playoffs.
Portland chasing survival, guarding a taboo
The Timbers arrive seventh with 44 points and under pressure after just one win in their last eight league outings. Still, they control their own fate: a win locks in a playoff berth and lifts them above Seattle, while even a draw would be enough to secure qualification. Against Seattle, though, Portland will hardly be satisfied with just doing the minimum.
They also bring with them one of the rivalry’s most striking records, unbeaten at Lumen Field since 2017, with five wins and five draws in that span. That confidence has kept the derby balanced despite Seattle’s overall strength. Veterans like captain Diego Chara and forward Felipe Mora, who has three goals and two assists in the series, know exactly what these nights demand. Newcomer Kristoffer Velde has added a spark too, with two assists in his last four games.