Seattle Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer claims that he is looking forward to renewing the rivalry with Portland Timbers this weekend.

After an amazing run of form, Seattle have been propelled to the top of the table. The club will be looking to maintain this lofty position after having struggled with form for much of the campaign. It took several weeks for Seattle Sounders to find the winning combination, but now the club have been one of the top teams in the division. Seattle have been able to beat almost anyone in front of them, but Portland Timbers are only one point behind them in the table.

Ahead of the rivalry, Schmetzer was complimentary of Portland Timbers and he claimed that the table deflected the quality of the opposition. He knows that it will be an extremely difficult match for his team, but he hopes that Portland will not be able to claim a win. Forward Will Bruin was unavailable for the home game against Portland back in May. He was suffering from a dislocated elbow.

Even though he was available for the away game against Portland a few weeks later, Will Bruin says that he is very much looking forward to playing against Portland in front of the home crowd.

“I know they [the players] all say that they don’t look at the standings, and we as coaches say we don’t look at the standings, but we all look at the standings. We know what it’s about. It’s Cascadia Cup. It’s Portland. It’s first place. Everybody is aware of it,” said Brian Schmetzer. “It’s so much more intense and you feel it more as a player when you walk out on the field because everyone’s into it and the fans on both sides are so passionate about it. You want to play and win for your city so I think that’s what drives it and gets everyone going,” said Bruin.