PORTLAND — When the Seattle Sounders exited their team bus and headed inside Providence Park for their match with the Portland Timbers on Sunday afternoon, they could not have predicted all that was about to happen in the opening 45 minutes.
Not this team. Not this Sounders squad riding a five-game unbeaten streak, including a resilient late draw on Wednesday night in Houston. Not at this point in the season, with a spot in playoff positioning for the taking, and a newfound attacking confidence stemming from a new formation and the addition of Designated Player Nicolas Lodeiro.