PORTLAND, Ore. -- A sell-out crowd turned out for Wednesday night's U.S. Open Cup match between the Portland Timbers and the rival Seattle Sounders, but the visiting Sounders topped the Timbers 2-1 to advance.

It was the first match-up between the two rival teams since Seattle made its Major League Soccer debut earlier this year.

A goal in the opening minute from Roger Levesque gave the Sounders an early lead and forced the Timbers to play catch-up throughout the night. Seattle doubled its lead in the 26th minute when former University of Portland Pilot Nate Jaqua set up the Sounders' second goal.

The Timbers gave the sell-out crowd something to cheer for shortly before halftime, when Mandjou Keita scored Portland's lone goal of the match. The Sounders were able to hold off the Timbers in the second half to hold on for the U.S. Open Cup win.

In addition to Jaqua, the match marked a homecoming of sorts for Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who also played at University of Portland.

Jaqua said there's no doubt the MLS will succeed in Portland.

"Just judging by tonight, I think it will work great. You saw the fans back there -- they're tremendous," Jaqua said. "(It was) a good hard-fought game tonight. They played very well and made it very difficult on us. It's nice to get a win here and move on in the Open Cup."

The Timbers earned their spot in the U.S. Open Cup third round by defeating the Kitsap Pumas and the Sonoma County Sol. They had a 15-game unbeaten streak before falling to the Sounders.

The Sounders will face the Kansas City Wizards in the quarterfinal round.

The Timbers-Sounders rivalry dates back to 1975 when the Timbers and Sounders were in the North American Soccer League.

Sounders Hold On To Top Timbers 2-1