Timbers top Sounders in exhibition

TUKWILA — It wasn’t the kind of match that goes down in soccer lore, but that won’t keep the Portland Timbers fans from soaking up the moment.

Playing their rivals from Seattle for the first time as a member of Major League Soccer, the Timbers emerged 2-0 winners on Friday in front of a sold-out audience of 3,100 at Starfire Stadium.

The game was a preseason event, one that will be forgotten by most once the games become real. But for forwards Jorge Perlaza and Kenny Cooper, it was a memorable introduction to the Timbers-Sounders rivalry. Perlaza scored an opportunistic goal in the 21st minute, and Cooper polished off the win with a goal in the closing seconds. In between, the Sounders put the Timbers under pressure, but couldn’t produce a goal.

“It’s good for the fans and our team, our confidence,” said midfielder Sal Zizzo, who helped set up both goals. “But in the grand scheme of things, we want to be ready March 19 for the (regular) season.”

Seattle had more possessions, and was more consistently dangerous. The Sounders speed on the perimeter was evident. But so was the Timbers’ toughness on defense.

“Coach (John) Spencer is all about hard work and being in the right positions at the right time,” said right back Steve Purdy, who had a solid outing. “Whenever we work as a group, that’s going to make it look like our defense has been playing (together) for a while.”

Friday’s was the fourth consecutive shutout for Portland, now 2-0-4 in preseason. The Timbers play again at 4 p.m. today, taking on fellow expansion side Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Starfire Stadium. Spencer said he plans to field a completely different lineup.