In a tense regular-season finale, the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers played to a 1-1 draw, a result that felt like a defeat for the Sounders.

The match took a turn for the worse for the Sounders when midfielder Obed Vargas received a red card in the 69th minute, following a second yellow, which will also see him suspended for the first playoff game.

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei echoed Schmetzer's sentiments, highlighting the impact of inconsistent officiating on the outcome of the game.

The Sounders have not managed to defeat the Timbers at Lumen Field since 2017, despite their success in winning multiple championships during that period.

Coach Brian Schmetzer expressed his frustration, noting that the game could have ended the Timbers' streak at Lumen Field.

Schmetzer also criticized the officiating, suggesting that an experienced referee could have avoided the mistake that led to Vargas's red card.

Ultimately, the Sounders' strong performance throughout the season will be overshadowed by this draw, which will linger in their minds as they head into the playoffs.

Seattle initially took the lead with a goal from Yeimar in the 37th minute, but the Timbers equalized shortly after halftime through Antony in the 68th minute.

This draw not only meant the Sounders lost the Cascadia Cup to the Timbers but also complicated their chances for Champions Cup qualification.

Despite a strong second half of the season, where they lost only two of their last 17 games, the Sounders left the match without a victory, deepening the rivalry's pain.