Seattle Draw Portland 4-4 Behind a Clint Dempsey Hat-trick

What. A. Game. There is no other way to describe this Cascadia Cup derby.

In front of a rocking Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, the Timbers had control for most of the game, but let a 2 goal lead slip away. Caleb Porter’s side was desperately looking for their first win of the season. And they looked to be in control, even in the 83rd minute.

The scoring opened just 3 minutes in with a goal from Kenny Cooper, off of a Seattle corner. He tucked the ball away after a wonderful pass from Jalil Anibaba. The Sounders would surrender the lead 6 minutes later when Diego Chara stormed through the midfield to take the ball from the Sounders defense. He scored on a great strike from just outside the 18. Portland would go on to take their first lead of the match in the 14th minute from a Diego Valeri goal. Clint Dempsey would equalize for Seattle in the 24th minute after Obafemi Martins pass sent him through on goal. The first half was fast and furious for both sides, and lived up to the hype created by the best rivalry in MLS.

Portland opened the scoring in the second half in the 55th minute from another goal by Diego Chara. He found space in the midfield and unleashed a massive strike into the far corner. Two minutes later Max Urruti have Portland a two goal lead on a curler from left of the box.

In the final 5 minutes the game really picked up as Seattle were pushing for goals. In the 85th minute a second goal from Clint Dempsey cut the deficit in half. Then two minutes later, after DeAndre Yedlin drew a PK, Clint Dempsey notched a third goal to complete his hattrick, and Seattle’s comeback.

This was such a great game to watch. The environment could not have been better, and the play on the field did not disappoint. Portland still have not won a game this season, but showed signs of the team that was the number 1 seed in the West last season. Seattle, and Clint Dempsey, finally look to be in sync. The USMNT captain is coming into his own for Seattle and already has 4 goals this season.

Seattle will play FC Dallas next Saturday, while Portland will play Chivas on the same day.

Man of the match: Clint Dempsey. His 3 goals completed the Seattle comeback and gave Seattle a valuable point on the road against their biggest rivals.