The Seattle Sounders prevailed 2-1 against the neighboring Portland Timbers in a second round U.S. Open Cup match in a physical and intense match between I-5 rivals that produced a total of seven yellow cards and one ejection.

The victory means that the Sounders will host Chivas USA of Major League Soccer in a match tentatively scheduled for July 18 at Qwest Field pending the approval of U.S. Soccer and the availability of Qwest Field. The official date and ticket information will be released later this week.

The Portland Timbers came charging out of the gates in the first half, taking two shots in the first minute of the match.

In the 19th minute, just as the game appeared to be settling down, the Timbers grabbed the lead when defender Justin Thompson smashed in a curling free kick from Andrew Gregor with his head.

The turning point of the match came in the 42nd minute when Timbers defender Cameron Knowles viciously elbowed Sounders forward Roger Levesque in the Timbers penalty box. The Timbers suffered a double blow on the play, losing Knowles to a straight red card and giving away the equalizing penalty kick converted by Sounders midfielder Hugo Alcaraz-Cueller.

The Pacific Northwest clash turned testy late in the first half and appeared on the verge of getting out of control with four cards in the last five minutes of the half. Sounders midfielder Josh Gardner ignited the first confrontation with a hard challenge against Scot Thompson, who retaliated by angrily hurling the ball at Gardner’s back. Both players received cautions from the referee.

The Sounders, taking advantage of the red card, opened the second half with a flurry, highlighted by consecutive shots in the box by midfielders Greg Howes and Josh Gardner.

In response, the Timbers drastically changed tactics as the wide open soccer of the first half gave way to a conservative defensive playing for penalties. However, Jake Besagno’s go-ahead goal off a Howes cross in the 70th minute put an end to those efforts and grabbed control of the game for the Sounders.

After the goal, the Sounders slowed the game down late in the second half with long sequences of possession, forcing a tired Portland Timbers side to chase the ball.

The determined Portland side did not go easily and pushed for the equalizer. In the 80th minute, Brian Jordan combined well on a one-two with a teammate and blasted a low shot that goalkeeper Chris Eylander saved well.

Leighton O’Brien was taken to St. Francis hospital during the match for treatment to a concussion and lacerations suffered in a first half collision.

Next up for the Sounders in a USL first Division match against Miami FC Thursday night at Qwest Field. Kick off is at 7pm and tickets are available at SeattleSounders.net.