Plenty on line for Sounders Tuesday

When the Sounders square off against the Portland Timbers on Tuesday, the match certainly won't lack drama.

In addition to being one of the longest-standing rivalries in pro sports in the Northwest, the game at the Starfire Sports and Entertainment Complex will determine which team advances to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Not only are bragging rights on the line, but also a substantial check. The winner will host Chivas USA of Major League Soccer in what should be a nice payday.

"Given that we've done a good job against Portland, the importance of getting a game against Chivas and the high intensity of the games anyway, it should add up for a good game," Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said.

The rivalry has resulted in several on-field skirmishes each year, and two of the peskiest players swapped teams this season. Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar brought his top all-time assist total from Portland to Seattle, and the Timbers signed the Sounders' second-ranked all-time goal scorer, Andrew Gregor.

In addition to their dramatic statistical successes on the field, Alcaraz-Cuellar and Gregor also get under their opponents' skin with their chippy styles.

"It's been a great battle for years and those guys have been right in the middle of it," Sounders midfielder Roger Levesque said of Alcaraz-Cuellar and Gregor.

SOUNDERS VS. TIMBERS

Second round, U.S. Open Cup

Tuesday, 7:05 p.m., Starfire Sports Complex

RECORDS: The Sounders are fourth in the USL First Division at 5-5-4 (19 points). Portland is seventh at 4-2-3 (15 points).

NOTES: The Sounders lead the season series 1-0-1, with one more league meeting Aug. 1 at Qwest Field. ... This is the sixth time in the past seven years the Sounders and Timbers have met in the U.S. Open Cup. Portland leads the all-time Open Cup series 3-2. ... Seattle reached the second round with a 4-1 win over Banat Arsenal, a Phoenixbased amateur team, on June 12. Portland topped the Bakersfield Brigade 2-0 to reach the second round. ... Seattle D Danny Jackson will miss the game while he is in his native England finishing paperwork to get his green card. ... The Sounders are 6-0-1 all-time at Starfire. ... The Sounders have allowed just three goals in their past five games.

-- Matthew Gaschk