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Timbers beat Sounders 2-1 in U.S. Open Cup

Portland Timbers forward Jeremu Ebobisse moves up the pitch as the sun sets, during the second half of a U.S. Open Cup soccer match between the Timbers and the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, in Tacoma, Wash. (Joshua Bessex / News Tribune via AP)
From news services

TACOMA – Brian Fernandez scored a pair of goals to lead the Portland Timbers past the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at Cheney Stadium.

The Sounders were missing nine players to international duty for European Qualifiers, Copa América and the Gold Cup.

Fernández struck for the opener in the sixth minute, lashing a perfectly placed strike from outside the area past goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.

Sounders midfielder Víctor Rodríguez equalized in the 44th minute with a deflected free kick that bounced past Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark. But Fernández found the net again just five minutes into the second half, finishing a pinpoint cross from Jeremy Ebobisse from point-blank range to give the visitors the 2-1 lead.

The Sounders were given a golden opportunity to equalize in the 78th minute when the Timbers were whistled for a handball in their own penalty box. Rodríguez rang the ensuing penalty kick off the crossbar, and the match finished 2-1.