Sounders 'reserves' fall 3-2 to Portland Timbers in Tukwila

Seattle Sounders FC were back at training today in Tukwila, with an added dimension: a training match for the 'reserves' against United Soccer Leagues Division One club Portland Timbers. While the bulk of the starters did flex drills the rest of the roster suited up in the away kits to tackle a former rival from a previous era.

The result wasn't very good for Seattle, and neither was the overall performance, save a few players. Portland edged the Sounders 3-2 after dismantling Seattle 2-0 in a first half that could easily have been 3,4, or even 5-nil to the visitors.

After a halftime talk by Sigi Schmid that could be heard across the field, the Sounders reserves played with more urgency and focus in the second stanza. Kevin Forrest came on and scored a nice header to bring Seattle to within 2-1. Lackluster backline play continued minutes later when Portland went up 3-1 on a roller past Ben Dragavon into the far left corner.

Match Photos:  Rick Morrison   Jenni Conner

Ely Allen was brough in for the Sounders and he repsonded with a goal to bring the 3-2 final. Seattle had other chances to draw level before the final whistle blew, including a wide open take from Peter Vagenas at the top of the penalty box arc.

Vagenas and Taylor Graham both saw limited late-match playing time as they recover from injuries.

Kevin Forrest heads home Seattle's first goal today. (Rick Morrison)

The starting unit of Eylander, Karkas, Ianni, Wahl, Brown, Zakuani, King, Sturgis, Nyassi, Le Toux and Levesque did not click at all in the first half. Seattle lost the ball too often and gave up far too many easy chances at goal. Further, Le Toux, Zakuani and Nyassi, all of whom have played well for the MLS club in league play, were nearly invisible.

Portland arrived ready to play a higher-league club, and they controlled the play until the second-half recovery by Seattle.

Training matches are an important way to get extra playing time and experience for reserve players. However, MLS benches and rosters are not so deep that they can field completely new sides for reserve matches. Sebastien Le Toux got more time this match after he was the player brought out when Kasey Keller was red-carded last Saturday against Kansas City. Le Toux was replaced by goalkeeper Ben Dragavon in that match.

Chris Eylander, Seattle's number two goalkeeper, remains less than 100% but started the reserve match. Portland's first goal (see video) came in part because Eylander was unable to quickly recover a ball he had just saved.

Kasey Keller will miss Seattle's match this weekend against Chivas USA in Los Angeles. It is expected that Ben Dragavon will be in goal for the Sounders.

Don Ruiz of the TNT has more on today's match here.

Sounder at Heart comments about Seattle's roster depth here.

Jose Romero bogs a bit about the match in the Times.

Andrew Winner writes about Seattle's efforts to get healthy at MLSnet.com.