By the time defender Steven Taylor had sent his header past a stunned Stefan Frei, the Timbers had already secured an embarrassment of first half riches against Seattle Sounders FC. Three goals inside of 30 minutes had put the Timbers in the driver's seat. Four felt unreal.
So when the two fierce rivals walked off the field at half time of their August 28 encounter at Providence Park, the mood on the players' faces could not have contrasted more sharply.
Portland jubilant. Seattle stunned.
In their previous two matches in 2016, the two sides had traded victories.