Sounders react to performance vs. Portland

The Sounders fell to the Portland Timbers, 2-1, Saturday night in Tucson.

Here’s some of what they had to say after the match.

Coach SIGI SCHMID

On the different first- and second-half lineups: We just wanted to mix and match the team a little bit. … I was not displeased. Obviously, I’m displeased with the two goals that we took in the second half. I think we really didn’t give much up in the second half with the exception of those chances. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.

On Andreas Ivanchitz with captain’s armband in second half: He’s a guy who has leadership ability, leadership skills. He’s a good pro when he goes out there. When he trains, he’s a good example for them.

On Panamanian international trailist Roberto Chen’s play in the second half: I’ve got to see the video tape on both of the goals to see exactly what happened there. I think McInerney got behind them on the first one, and I don’t know how the guy came in free off the flank on the second one. So we’ll take a look at that and then we’ll make a better evaluation.

On the atmosphere of Sounders and Timbers supporters in Arizona: There’s always good spirt and there’s always good atmosphere whenever we play each other, and I thought the game was a good game for the fans. I thought it was exciting. Some of our young kids who came on in the second half with their speed and going forward, I thought they created a good atmosphere as well.

Forward DARWIN JONES (who scored the Sounders lone goal, and their only two against MLS teams this preseason)　

On his preseason: I think I started out way stronger than I did last year. I think I’ve got to just keep building and stay consistent. … I dedicated a lot of (my offseason) to it. I took it serious. Fitness. I worked on a lot of things that they told me in the end-of-the-year meeting. … I got a lot of cardio in. A lot of gym. And I made sure I got a lot of touches on the ball.

On his goal vs. Timbers: They spread the ball out wide to me. I see I had space with the defender. I’m a pretty good 1-v-1 player, so I showed him outside, and then I went in: He gave me the space, so I seen an open shot near-post, so I took it.

Midfielder Cristian Roldan (who started Saturday in Osvaldo Alonso’s usual role)

On his performance: I think I did well. I think in the final third I could have made a better decision. But defensively and playing out of the back I thought I did well. I completed most of my passes, and I think I had a good work rate, so I’m pretty pleased with how things went.

On his play out of the back: I think the coaching staff want me to keep it simple. As a No. 6 you don’t want to overcomplicate things. For me, if I can keep it simple and complete my passes, I’m very happy with my performance. Obviously there are times when I want to kick a long ball, and I probably should, but that will come with time. I’ll be there at some point.

The Sounders will take Sunday off, some watching the Super Bowl as a group.

They will return to training at Kino Sports Complex on Monday, and will be joined by homegrown forward Jordan Morris, in his first work with the team since returning from U.S. national team camp.

This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 8:59 AM with the headline "Sounders react to performance vs. Portland."