Portland Timbers-Seattle Sounders matchups rarely disappoint, but even as this storied rivalry goes, last April's was a doozy.
Six months removed from the Timbers' elimination of the Sounders in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs, the two teams met for the first time in 2014 at Providence Park.
The goals started flowing from the get go, as Kenny Cooper scored for the Sounders in third minute, only for the Timbers to take the advantage with two goals by the 14th. Clint Dempsey tied it in the 24th, but Diego Chara and Maxi Urruti scored twice in three minutes early in the second half to give the Timbers a distinct advantage.
Dempsey had other ideas, though.
His sliding finish in the 85th minute brought the Timbers' lead back to within one. Two minutes later, DeAndre Yedlin drew a penalty and Dempsey duly converted, completing his hat trick, stunning the home crowd and capping one of the wildest games in Portland-Seattle history.
Of course, Dempsey won't have the same chance to write Cascadia history on Sunday, as he is serving the final game of a three-match suspension for referee abuse in the two team's US Open Cup match on June 16. Will Seattle find another hero to step up, or will Portland exact their revenge?
What was your most memorable moment from the Portland-Seattle rivalry? Share and debate in the comments section below, and be sure to follow MLS on Vine for more memorable rivalry moments!
