Brandon Bye Scores Late Winner as Portland Timbers Hand Rival Sounders Fifth Straight Loss

Brandon Bye scored a late go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute to lift the Portland Timbers to a 2-1 victory over the rival Seattle Sounders on Saturday night, according to Yahoo Sports. The win handed Seattle its fifth straight loss and kept Portland's unbeaten run alive at four games.
The Timbers trailed or were level for much of the match before Bye stepped up in the 82nd minute to seal the result. Kevin Kelsey also scored for Portland, giving the Timbers two goals on the night. Herald Bulletin reported the win moved Portland to a 7-8-3 record on the season.
The goal was a gut punch for Seattle, who could not hold on late. Portland made the most of their chances when it mattered most. The Timbers have now gone four straight games without a loss, a strong run during the middle of the MLS season.
Seattle's skid has now reached five straight losses, a brutal stretch for a club that entered the year with high expectations. The Sounders sit at 7-7-3 on the season, according to Daily Item. That puts them right on the playoff bubble with little margin for more mistakes.
Making matters worse, Seattle was playing short-handed due to injuries. An already thin roster had to fight through the full 90 minutes without key pieces. The injury trouble has clearly taken a toll, as the Sounders have struggled to find wins during this difficult run.
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored the only goal for the Sounders, giving Seattle a brief lifeline in the match. But Portland answered and then pulled ahead in the final ten minutes. WWL TV noted the Sounders could not find an equalizer despite their late push.
Portland's four-game unbeaten run has brought new life to their season. The Timbers now sit at 7-8-3, a record that puts them back in the mix for a Western Conference playoff spot. Leader Telegram noted the Timbers have found their footing at just the right time in the MLS campaign.
For Portland, the derby win over Seattle carries extra meaning. Cascadia Cup rivalry matches are never just about the standings. This result gives the Timbers bragging rights and real momentum heading into the second half of their season.
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