Author: Phuoc Nguyen

Name Pronunciation: Fook Win

Family, Friends, and Sports!

Storyteller at Rose City Review
Portland Timbers of MLS
Portland Thorns of the NWSL
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Twitter @Phuocerman

Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland 4, Seattle 1

Dairon Asprilla's bicycle kick goal in the 71st minute is a candidate for MLS goal of the year. Elite Photo Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Dairon Asprilla's bicycle kick goal in the 71st minute is a candidate for MLS goal of the year. Elite Photo Credit: Matthew Wolfe

Heading into Saturday’s game, the Seattle Sounders were first in the table and were the top scoring team in the West. The Portland Timbers, meanwhile, were 12th in the table and had not won a game since their regular season opener against Sporting KC on February 27. The Timbers were winless in their last six matches.

After losing Eryk Williamson to season ending injury, this team could of continued their downward spiral.

After playing one of their best halves of football, the Portland Timbers looked down and out.

In the 58th minute Sounders superstar Raúl Ruidíaz scored to put the visitors up 1-0.

But all it takes is one moment to change all the momentum. In the 71st minute, Dairon Asprilla scored the MLS goal of the year to tie it at 1-1 with a brilliant bicycle kick.

That goal gave the Portland Timbers a sense of belief and ignited the attack for the first time all season.

Nathan Fogaça gave Portland the 2-1 lead with a beautiful dribble and two touches to get around Sounders defender Yeimar. Seattle Goalkeeper Stefan Frei managed to get a hand on Fogaça’s shot, but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.

Jarosław Niezgoda has struggled to find his form all season and was subbed in the 72nd minute for Franck Boli. Less than 10 minutes later, he put away a rebound to score his first goal of the season.

Juan David Mosquera put the game away in the 89th minute, with a rocket on a quick counter.

The Portland Timbers completed the comeback to win 4-1, with all of their goals scored in the last 20 minutes.

These are the games where we are reminded why we love this game and these players.

Best lineup of the season

Since the season started, Portland has not had their strongest XI. Although Williamson is out for the year, the Timbers had a majority of their first choice squad for the first time.

This starting XI came out on the front foot and outshot Seattle 7-4 in the first half. Unfortunately, they lost control of the game early in the second half.

Once Portland head coach Gio Savarese made substitutions, they regained the upper hand. Many of the Timbers starters for the game are still coming back to full fitness.

When Yimmi Chará returns, they will have all of their first choice starters except Williamson.

The starters played well in the first half, and the substitutes’ fresh legs will give this team a lot of positives moving forward.

Franck Boli starts
Franck Boli made his first start for Portland as they took down Seattle 4-1.Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Franck Boli made his first start for Portland as they took down Seattle 4-1.
Credit: Matthew Wolfe

The Timbers signed Ivorian forward Franck Boli from Hungarian top-flight side Ferencvárosi on March 13.

Boli has been getting up to speed, learning the system, and building a rapport with his new teammates over the past month.

In two sub appearances, he had played 28 total minutes before the Seattle game—including time in which he scored the game tying goal at FC Dallas.

Boli made his first start against the Seattle Sounders.

After the match, Savarese said he was impressed with Boli’s performance and extremely excited to see him with more opportunities. “He started to figure things out,” Savarese said. “You can see the special things that he has. In some moments, you saw how quick he was to get in front of the Seattle defender… He can get in good areas.”

The Timbers head coach believes Boli’s only going to get better with more time to learn the system.

“He has a good understanding of the way we want to play,” said Savarese. “Now it’s about generating the chemistry with the guys. He just arrived. Evander just started to play with him. Some of the guys started to get to know the two of them more and more.”

Forwards can score, too!
Nathan Fogaça scored his first goal of the 2023 season against the Seattle Sounders.Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Nathan scored his first goal of the 2023 season against the Seattle Sounders.
Credit: Matthew Wolfe

The Timbers had only scored six goals in their first seven games. Out of those, each line had contributed two each. The only forwards who had scored prior to the Seattle game were Boli and Tega Ikoba.

That all changed in this game.

Asprilla, Fogaça, and Niezgoda all opened their scoring accounts for the season. If their frontline can continue to produce, this team is going to be scary the rest of the way.

David vs. Goliath

The first place team facing off against the 12th place team. The Sounders went into the game with a +12 goal differential, while Portland was at -6.

Still, the Timbers started off the game on the front foot, outshooting the Sounders in the first half.

At the start of the second half, Seattle could not have started much better. They found the opening goal in the 58th minute and nearly scored again on several occasions.

Seattle’s attacking soccer and ruthless barrages continued, and they kept chasing a second goal.

The Timbers being down a goal with 20 minutes left in the game, things were not looking good to even get a result.

Portland has been beat up all season, but they got up and fought like heck the rest of the way.

Thanks to their forwards, Santi Moreno’s assists, and the return of their dangerous counterattack, Portland was able to take down Goliath.

Shoutouts
JDM celebrates his second goal of the season versus the Seattle Sounders. He continues cement himself as one of the best right backs in MLS. Credit: Matthew Wolfe
JDM celebrates his second goal of the season versus the Seattle Sounders. He continues cement himself as one of the best right backs in MLS.
Credit: Matthew Wolfe

Juan David Mosquera scored his second goal of the season and continues to put in the effort on the defensive end. He led the team in touches, shots, shots on goal, crosses, and possessions won.

Claudio Bravo made a goal-saving intervention in the 39th minute before Jordan Morris could put it in the back of the net. Bravo was near the team lead in a bunch of stats.

The first three goals had Santi Moreno‘s signature all over them. He assisted on the first two goals to Asprilla and Fogaça. On the third goal, he followed up Fogaça’s shot, which allowed Niezgoda to finish it.

Fun stats
  • Portland has now beaten Seattle four consecutive times
  • Portland Timbers xG: 1.38 – Seattle Sounders xG: 1.33
  • Portland had more total shots and shots on goal
    • Portland: 17/8 – Seattle 15/5
  • Diego Chará completed  97.2% of his passes
  • Dario Zuparic led the team with seven aerial duels won
  • Dairon Asprilla also had eight dribbles and six successful dribbles to lead the team.
Coaches’ corner

Savarese on the win: “When you don’t get too many good results, and you’re putting in a lot of work, and you’re trying to manage a lot of things in a difficult way, the way we started—a win like today’s is incredible. It’s amazing, because we needed it. We needed it. We needed the three points; we needed a win like this to feel that we’re capable of competing at the highest level. And we still have some players that need to come back.

“I think with that said, I felt tonight the guys wanted to win. You felt it. And I think, as I said, a goal like Asprilla’s just gives that energy at the end to make sure that the guys just felt that we can win this game.

“Now we have to continue to work. It’s not staying on one game and that’s it. It’s about all the games that are coming, and we need to prepare very well, because now we have Cincinnati. We have the U.S. Open Cup. Then we have to go to St. Louis. We have a difficult schedule, but now with players coming back and finally getting a bench that is full, we can compete to a better level.”

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer on his postgame message to the team: “I told them I don’t feel that it’s a rivalry. That’s my initial gut thought. At 1-0, we have to have that killer instinct against a team that has beat us three games in a row, that’s had our number. At their place, stick the knife in, kill the game. I don’t give a shit if it was the second goal or extending possession. After the game, some of our staff members, everybody talking, laughing. It’s like another loss. It’s not another loss; it’s against the Timbers.

“We have to get back to understanding that this is a rivalry. And that’s what I said to everybody. That’s the reflection that I have. It’s not good, it’s not good. We don’t have the killer instinct to put them away. We gave them life; we talked about it, messaged it before the game. They were using this game as a springboard. They have to go to Cincinnati next week. They get a bad result here and have to go to Cincinnati, that could doom them. But we give them life.”

Quote of the night

Asprilla, on if practicing bicycle kicks during practice attributed to his goal: “Yes. I talked to [David] Ayala before the game. ‘You wait for [the] bicycle’. It’s my confidence.”

Categories
Soccer Thorns

The Path to Portland

Reyna Reyes made her regular season debut against Maria Sánchez and the Houston Dash. Photo by Matthew Wolfe.
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Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland 0, LA Galaxy 0

Photo by Kris Lattiore.

The Portland Timbers had lost three games in a row heading into their home game Saturday versus the LA Galaxy. The Galaxy came into the match winless in their opening three games, with their last two ending in draws. Both teams desperately needed a result coming into the game.

Both teams would play to a scoreless draw at Providence Park.

In order to inject some life into the club, Timbers head coach Gio Savarese inserted Diego “Guti” Gutierrez and Pablo Bonilla into the lineup. Nathan Fogaça earned his second consecutive start.

The Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy had an injury list that looked like an NFL midseason injury update.

LA had their fair share of issues too. They were missing seven players: Chicharito, Douglas Costa, Jonathan Bond, Marcus Ferkranus, Dejan Joveljić, Kelvin Leerdam, and Eriq Zavaleta.

The Timbers went extremely direct with their play in the first half, and all of the statistics backed it up. It was an ugly display of football and highlighted how sloppy they were with the ball.

Both teams were extremely physical, and there were a ton of fouls committed and not called in the opening 45 minutes. Guti and David Bingham were the two bright spots for the Timbers.

In the first half, the Galaxy dominated proceedings with 10 shots on goal, while Portland had one. The Timbers were out-possessed 29% to 71%. In the 13th minute, Portland got lucky when Galaxy forward Preston Judd’s shot hit the post after he got past the backline of Portland.

In the second half, play continued to be chippy. For 80 minutes, the Timbers were outplayed by the Galaxy.

In the last 15, though, Portland found some magic and dangerous moments. Tega Ikoba brought a spark to the game when he subbed in for the Timbers in the 76th minute. Portland outshot LA Galaxy 9-7 in the second half.

The final possession numbers were terrible for the Timbers: Portland with 32.8% and LA with 67.2%.

Identity crisis

I will ask continue to ask until we get an answer: who is this Portland Timbers team? What are they trying to accomplish on the pitch? Where is the creativity? Is the counterattack completely gone?

The performance early on was sloppy, and they couldn’t manage to escape a single line of pressure. In the second half, the Timbers were a lot better and finally showed the trademark counterattack in the last few minutes.

With the team finally getting healthy, we could see improvement coming sooner rather than later.

“I thought it was a performance of a team that wanted to get a win three points,” Savarese said. “When we have players missing, then players have to step up, and I saw a lot of players stepping up today. It wasn’t perfect, but when you have the desire, the heart, the commitment and determination to give everything that you have, what else can I ask?”

Jazzy benched

Through the first five games of 2023, goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič has made one start, while Bingham has made four.

Although Bingham has been good in goal, he does not possess the immense upside that Jazzy does.

However, Bingham is as reliable as they come. Savarese knows exactly what he can expect from Bingham each time he’s in goal.

He made huge saves throughout the match to keep the game scoreless. His positioning was very good and played a fine game in goal.

This was his second clean sheet on the season, but unfortunately the turf monster claimed its next injury in Bingham.

We wish him all the best in his recovery.

The tension between Ivačič and Savarese could land him on the bench for the near future. Not a good look for a struggling Timbers side.

Could we see 20-year-old Hunter Sulte start, instead? It looks like it.

Guti & Bonilla start
Diego Gutierrez made his first start against LA Galaxy. Photo by Kris Lattimore
Diego Gutierrez made his first start against LA Galaxy.
Photo by Kris Lattimore

Guti has been strong for the Timbers in the minutes he has received. Those opportunities earned Gutierrez his first start. Juan David Mosquera, who is on international duty with Colombia, was replaced by Pablo Bonilla.

Gutierrez and Bonilla were both active and energetic throughout the game. Bonilla did not have many opportunities to come forward, but he was efficient in defense. He also led the team in crosses. Guti had many bright moments with his dribbling and passing.

After the match, Gio said Guti could see more minutes moving forward if he continues his current form. “Gutierrez played very well,” he said. “Now he’s going to compete and push others, and that’s what we want.”

Injury list

At this rate, the Portland Timbers could field a whole injured side. That’s how long their list is. Players continue to get healthier each week, but so far, when they get players back, more go on it.

“Right now, we’re unlucky with the injuries,” Diego Chará said after the match. “That’s really disappointing for us.”

Still, the Timbers have no choice but to continue on.

Standouts
  • The Post: Soccer is a brutal game, especially when it comes to the score. You could dominate a match and still not get the desired outcome. The Galaxy hit the post twice, and that was the difference in the game.
  • Diego Gutierrez offers something very different as a winger and it will help the Timbers this season. Guti has the ability to dribble and keep possession or take players on. He keeps putting up good performances and should have a role on the team moving forward. He led the team with six dribbles and three successful dribbles on Saturday. He also was near the top for completed passes, crosses attempted, recoveries, and touches.
  • David Bingham got the nod over Ivačič, and it paid off. Bingham was clutch throughout the game, and his positioning was solid throughout. He came up with four saves, all in crucial moments. His injury at the end was the worst news you could get at the end of the game. He has two clean sheets in four starts this year.
  • Tega Ikoba continues to bring the energy and excitement. In his 14 minutes, the Timbers were the better team in the game. Savarese said he will see more minutes in upcoming games.
Tega Ikoba rises over everyone to win a header. Photo by Kris Lattimore
Tega Ikoba rises over everyone to win a header. Photo by Kris Lattimore
Stock down
  • Injuries: Another game, and two more injuries.
  • Officiating: This got out of hand and overly-physical. Referee Chris Penso needed to set the tone earlier and refused to do so. It was very fortunate to not see more players injured. The only consistency was that he was bad for both sides. The game ended with 29 total fouls.

Key stats: Team leaders
  • Claudio Bravo paced the team with 13 possessions won and 64 touches.
  • Zac McGraw led the team with four tackles and three blocks
  • Diego Chará conducted the show with the team’s strongest performance in passing accuracy in the final third.
  • Santiago Moreno was Portland’s most active player in the attack, with 17 passes in the final third.
Quote of the Night

Perhaps the game was best summed up by Savarese: “We are in a good place in our mind and our hearts, and now we have to get more players in.”

Categories
NWSL Soccer

Racing Louisville: Playoff Bound in 2023?

The Racing Louisville Defense after the conclusion of the preseason game against Portland Thorns. All Credit Goes to Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and BGN.
The Racing Louisville Defense after the conclusion of the preseason game against Portland Thorns. Photo by Taylor Vincent.

This year’s preseason tournament at Providence Park saw the Portland Thorns hosting OL Reign, Racing Louisville, and the U-23 Women’s National Team.

While Seattle and Portland finished first and second in the league, respectively, in 2022, Racing Louisville had a chance showcase the ways they have improved since last season.

In 2021 and 2022, Racing Louisville finished ninth in the NWSL.

As a club entering their third season, making the playoffs is a goal they feel is attainable, and rightfully so. Their welcome to the NWSL has resulted in a rough first two seasons, thus far.

Racing Louisville are closer than ever, and this could be the year it all comes together.

Blockbuster trade & backline
Carson Pickett against Portland Thorns in their preseason match. All credit goes to Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and BGN.
Carson Pickett against Portland Thorns in their preseason match. Photo by Taylor Vincent.

This team completed a blockbuster trade this offseason by sending superstar Emily Fox to the North Carolina Courage for one of the greatest defenders of all time in Abby Erceg and left back Carson Pickett.

After having a shaky situation at center back in their first two years, they’ve made it a strength in one offseason.

Although it is impossible to replace a USWNT left back starter in Emily Fox, they somehow still managed to get an elite one in Pickett.

The backline was Racing’s biggest question mark after surrendering the the third most goals in 2022, and it has looked remarkably improved in 2023.

Erceg’s partnership at center back with Finnish defender Elli Pikkujämsä was excellent in preseason. Her leadership was been on display: she’s vocal, directs the defense, and showcased her superb play.

“I enjoy coming in and helping people,” Erceg said. “I like seeing people reach their potential and get better as a player. I enjoy that aspect of it.”

Pickett and Lauren Milliet have been tremendous coming forward and delivering dangerous crosses. The fullbacks have more reign in attack, and it’s paid off in preseason. Defensively, their speed has been on display. The recovery runs have been impressive. This pair is going to cause problems all season.

Goalkeeper Katie Lund has been lights-out and will only get better from here. After leading the league in saves, she has solidified herself as a top NWSL goalkeeper.

Head Coach Kim Björkegren has been extremely impressed with Lund, who he says has made so many world class saves.

“The funny thing with [Lund] is she still has much higher potential,” he said. “In three to four years, I don’t know how good she could be because in my opinion she’s already one of the best goalkeepers in this league.”

These four players have a chance to make this backline from a question mark into a strength.

Abby Erceg and Elli Pikkujämsä against Portland Thorns in their preseason match.All credit goes to Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and BGN.
Abby Erceg and Elli Pikkujämsä against Portland in their preseason match. Photo by Taylor Vincent.
Familiarity with the system
Racing Louisville Kim Björkegren during their match against OL Reign.All credit goes to Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and BGN.
Racing Louisville Kim Björkegren during their match against OL Reign. Photo by Taylor Vincent.

Björkegren will be entering his second season as the head coach. In 2022, the team had to adjust to a brand new system, and we saw a ton of growing pains as a result.

For most of 2022, they struggled to adapt to what Björkegren was asking of them. Players who did not fit the system, struggled and some were let go or traded away.

In order to get more information on the system, I reached out to Michael Shaw who covers Racing Louisville for Fleur-de-lis FC. One key note is that they play a traditional 4-3-3 formation, which is a staple for both Lou City and Racing Louisville.

Björkegren’s expectations and system is explained in detail by Shaw: “Staring with the front line, he expects defensive effort to try to force the issue when opponents have the ball deep in their territory. When you think about the forwards that Racing released last season, I believe it was more for their defensive effort than their goal scoring ability.”

Shaw expects the midfield to have some versatility, but the main pieces are in place. “At times, the midfield played with two in front of the back four, and that may be how they play at times this season, but Howell is a classic central defensive midfielder, DeMelo is a classic No. 8, and Wang is a classic center-attacking mid,” he said. “I expect him to play to their strengths.”

On the defensive end, this team is looking for players who fit the philosophy.

“The full backs will push forward,” Shaw said, “especially now with Pickett. Indications are that Milliet could start on the back line, too. More than any other player, Milliet explains [Björkegren’s] type of player. She always gives full effort and doesn’t shut off mentally. That’s why she has been ever-present in his lineups.”

At the end of the day, the talent and ability of each player will be highlighted and valued. “When playing out from the back, [Björkegren] values the technical ability to allow the team to keep possession,” Shaw said. “I would say that he tends to prefer the wide areas when building from the back. Now that he has Pickett, Milliet, and [Paige] Monaghan as options on the wings, expect that to continue.”

Even after the team’s 13-game winless streak last year, they never wavered or stop believing in one another. The team’s belief in each other is powerful.

Down the stretch of 2022, Racing Louisville started to figure it out. They won three of their final four games, including the finale over NWSL Championship finalist, Kansas City Current.

That seems to have carried over into the preseason tournament. They narrowly lost to Portland 0-1 on a late set piece goal by Meaghan Nally. Louisville rebounded nicely by coming out 2-0 over OL Reign. Closing out their final preseason game against the U23WNT, they won again.

This is the first time, the staff will have the players they need to make it work. Everyone is going to be more confident and have their roles clearly defined going into Coach Kim’s second season.

Talented roster
Sav Demelo takes on OL Reign in their preseason match. All credit goes to Taylor Vincent of the Equalizer and BGN.
Sav DeMelo takes on OL Reign in Racing Louisville’s preseason match. Photo by Taylor Vincent.

This team also returns two of the best young players in the league: Savannah DeMelo and Jaelin Howell. Both also signed long-term contract extensions to remain with the club. DeMelo and Howell have already had stints on the USWNT and will be part of the the squad after this 2023 WWC cycle.

DeMelo said she wants to keep improving in her second NWSL season. “I have some things that I want to take from year one and apply to year two, but also add a couple pieces to my game,” she said.

In regards to the her and Howell’s role, DeMelo said, “I think just us being so young, I think we want to just provide energy and that little spark that the team needs.”

The club has made numerous high-profile player acquisitions in recent years: Monaghan, Nadia Nadim, Wang Shuang, Pikkujämsä, Ary Borges, Rebecca Holloway, Thembi Kgatlana, Alex Chidiac, Satara Murray, and most recently Uchenna Kanu.

Racing Louisville’s roster is very talented, and they possess one of the top rosters in the NWSL.

The Bev Yanez Effect

In a league where former players are now starting to become coaches, one of the highest-regarded ones is Bev Yanez. As a player, Yanez was a former best XI and won multiple NWSL shields. When she is ready, there will be a head coaching job waiting for her.

The respect she has from the team has been very apparent.

“She’s awesome,” Erceg said. “I think, especially for such a young team, to have a coach come in and just drill us on technique and technique and technique, it’s really good. I really enjoy her style of coaching. It’s very direct; there’s a lot of information, and it’s really good that she breaks things down. And I’ve really enjoyed that the training is different. Each time we go in, the drills are different, they’re challenging, [and] you’ve got to think.”

Yanez has made sure it a priority to help players as much as possible. She is also known to bring a lot of clarity to the squad, if needed. Whenever there may be any confusion or questions, Yanez makes herself available.

“She’s given us a lot of feedback, a lot of detail around our performances and the shape of the team,” Erceg said. “I think the girls are really thriving with that. She’s just a really good personality to have on the team as well… So I think people enjoy having her on the field and off the field.”

Team unity

A NWSL season requires you to be around your teammates for nearly the entire calendar. There are teams who are close, but the 2023 Racing Louisville squad has something special.

Their training sessions are filled with laughter, fun, and joyful vibes. They enjoy being around each other so much, and most of them want to be around each other all the time.

“I think just us being so close makes us want to work for each other,” DeMelo said. “We all want to win for each other [and] for our coach. So I think it just adds that level of family to it and makes it a little bit more special and more meaningful. And it’s not really about like one specific player. We all like want to do well just for the club and the team.”

The final lap

In 2022, the Kansas City Current went from last to nearly winning the NWSL championship. They were one game from a fairy tale ending.

After everything Racing Louisville players and fans have been through, it would be quite the story if they were to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

“What would that mean?” DeMelo said. “The world. I think we’re trying to grow something really special here in Louisville. And I think we’ve been like puzzling in a lot of good players, and then extending people’s contracts. And I think we really want to build something here.”

“It would be pretty cool,” Erceg said. “I think playoffs for any team is cool. You lose that specialness, a little bit, when you’re repetitively doing it. So I think for a team like this, they just, they just want it so bad.”

Erceg said the team’s positive culture helps. “The team culture is really good,” she said. “And I want nothing more than for this team to be rewarded for that. You don’t get that all the time. It’s not common, especially in pro teams.”

This team has all the ingredients to be a playoff contender: improved backline, studs in the midfield, and options on the frontline.

Racing Louisville supporters, be proud of the team you have because they’re going to make you proud this season.

Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 1, St.Louis City 2

Zac McGraw against St. Louis FC on March 11 at Providence Park. Photo taken by Kris Lattimore.
Zac McGraw against St. Louis FC on Mar. 11 at Providence Park. Photo by Kris Lattimore.

After a 2-3 defeat at LAFC, the Portland Timbers faced off against MLS’s newest expansion side, St. Louis City SC. The Missouri side came into the game undefeated, with victories over Austin FC and Charlotte FC.

In a game the Timbers could have won, they were left with no points and a home defeat. The injury list continues to pile up and their identity continues to be a mystery.

With the Timbers bringing a makeshift lineup into the game, there were a lot of questions and concerns. Still, they saw the return of Claudio Bravo and the first start for Nathan Fogaça in 2023.

One of the biggest question marks is the identity of this Timbers side: Who are they? Unfortunately for Portland, St. Louis knew the answer.

St. Louis has capitalized on mistakes early this season, and this game was no different. Their side is physical, tough, and opportunistic. As a result of their ability to grit out results, they’re currently the only 3-0-0 team in MLS.

St Louis City head coach Bradley Carnell said the club has spent preseason trying to prepare their players for MLS. “We played a very competitive opponents in pre-season,” he said. “We’ve been committed to a style of play for over a year now. We’ve had a very committed group of guys and this style of play is not easy. It demands a lot of commitment, not just to the philosophy but to each other as a teammate.”

The takeaways were plentiful, but I broke it down into a few.

Injuries and Officiating

With Evander less than 100%, Portland opted to insert Cristhian Paredes in the game. Sadly, that plan quickly went awry, as the Timbers were forced to make a change in the 11th minute, with Evander coming in for Paredes.

Timbers head coach Gio Savarese said the team was “very unlucky” in terms of injuries. “We felt maybe that we still had our group to put a fight, and all of a sudden this first sprint [Paredes] gets injured,” Savarese said. He said this is the team’s second hamstring injury—the previous being to Yimmi Chará—though he is optimistic that Paredes’ is less severe.

“And then we have this situation with Evander during the week,” Savarese said. “He couldn’t train, and then we were able to make it to the game. In the game, he was feeling a little bit of groin tightness, and we didn’t want to risk in any way to get another injured player.” Saverese said the move to sub Evander out in the 69th minute was a reflection of that precaution.

“We’re very thin,” he said, “but we still have to continue to work a good fight.”

The officiating allowed physical play throughout the game without much repercussion. In a game with five yellow cards, head official Victor Rivas could have set the tone way earlier. Portland was very fortunate to not have more injuries.

St. Louis won 61.6% of duels, while the Timbers only won 38.7%. To make matters even worse, the Timbers only had nine tackles with four won, compared to St. Louis’ 29 and 17 won.

Nathan Fogaça started his first game of 2023 for the Portland Timbers versus St. Louis City SC on March 11.Photo Taken by Kris Lattimore.
Nathan Fogaça starts vs. St. Louis City SC on Mar. 11. Photo by Kris Lattimore.
Fogaça for Niezgoda 

Fogaça has provided a much-needed spark in the Timbers’ attack in each opportunity he’s received this season. He continues to have an insane work rate and relentlessness that is unmatched by any other Timber on the frontline.

Fogaça allows the Timbers to play their press higher up and consistently throughout the game, but he also has the ability to open lanes in the counterattack. This was evident early in Saturday’s match, when Fogaça almost put one away in the second minute.

The Timbers have not been able to find their trademark counterattacking this season, and it showed again this game. If they are going to sit back and counter, it has to be way better.

Fogaça should be the starter moving forward, unless another option presents. He gives them the best chance to win right now.

Jarosław Niezgoda could very well regain his finishing form, but it needs to come soon; unfortunately for Portland, he has not looked like himself this season.

CB1 and FB1: Zac McGraw and Juan Mosquera
JDM against St. Louis City SC on March 11.Photo taken by Kris Lattimore.
JDM against St. Louis City SC on Mar. 11. Photo by Kris Lattimore.

Going into the year, the Timbers’ backline was a question mark, with Juan David Mosquera and Zac McGraw being two notable exceptions. Mosquera and McGraw continue to be the two bright spots on the team.

Against St. Louis, McGraw scored his second ever goal in third minute off a beautiful corner kick by Eryk Williamson, and Mosquera routinely created chances and dominated the right side of the pitch.

Backline Changes and More of the Same

After Timbers rolled out a traditional four-back for the first two games, Savarese threw a changeup to St. Louis in the form of five defenders. The new formation allows the Timbers to maximize their attacking fullbacks in Bravo and Mosquera.

By replacing an attacker in the starting XI, the Timbers were also able to add veteran Larrys Mabiala as the third center back.

What does this formation not solve? Their set piece defending. In the 75th minute, the Portland Timbers surrendered another one, conceding their second goal of the match. If this team wants to finish in the top half of the table, this needs to be cleaned up.

Still, we must give credit to St. Louis; they played this game on their terms and made sure the Timbers were particularly ineffective coming forward.

Missing: Portland Timbers

What is this team’s identity? Where is the counterattack? Where are the dynamic runs? Where is the creativity?

Whatever product the Timbers are putting out on the pitch right now is not good enough, and there’s absolutely no rhythm to it. Portland has a lot of soul searching to do before the results start pouring in.

They can’t move forward until these questions are solved.

Standouts

Zac McGraw Opened his scoring account for 2023 and has been the best CB for Portland.

Juan David Mosquera continues to be excellent moving forward and helping on defense. As always, he was dominating the right side of the pitch and even paced the team with four chances created.

Santi Moreno led the team in four shots, with one shot on goal, and two tackles.

Santi Moreno against St. Louis on March 11.Photo taken by Kris Lattimore.
Santi Moreno against St. Louis on Mar. 11. Photo by Kris Lattimore.
Bonus Stat

On a positive note, Portland has somehow continued to find the back of the net consistently:

 

Categories
Soccer Thorns

All Paths Aren’t the Same

Photo and edit by Nikitia Taparia.

Portland Thorns defender Kelli Hubly played for Chicago Red Stars Reserves team in the summers of her college career, so she had their gear. The only other team she has merchandise of is the Thorns.

Besides the Red Stars, “The only other pro team that I ever had a connection with was the Portland Thorns,” she says. “This kind of feels like it was meant to be.”

After almost quitting soccer in college, going undrafted, and receiving limited opportunities in the early years in the pros, Hubly has shown that all paths to the league aren’t the same. Through rediscovering her love for the game and believing in her abilities as a player, she has forged a path for others to follow and succeed in the NWSL.

Hubly’s journey to PTFC stardom has been truly extraordinary. Her story represents a lifetime of hard work, determination, and perseverance. Although it was an extremely difficult path, she would not change it one bit.

“My path has been crazy, says Hubly. “Looking back, it was really hard. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything because it’s gotten me exactly where I need to be. I’ve needed each step that I had to take.”

Hubly’s love for sports started at a young age. She enjoyed playing soccer and basketball. She was always around sports, thanks to her family.

“I started like, as young as I could,” she says. “I have two older siblings and younger one. My two older siblings would always be on a 3v3 tournament. So they threw all the younger siblings together. It was, like, boys and girls co-ed.”

She wasn’t always just a soccer player; Hubly’s love extended to basketball, too. For a long period of time, it was her preferred sport, but soccer was always calling.

“I realized that the club team that I had, we were pretty good,” Hubly says. “We started together really young. So, once I kind of realized like our team was pretty good, I started doing [U.S. Soccer’s Olympic Development Program] and everything.”

Even though she was getting called up into youth national team camps, Hubly still needed more belief in her own talent before she could go all-in.

“At 15, I was going to National Team camps,” she says. “I never thought I was that good. I thought I was decent, but to go into national team camps, I still didn’t believe I was good enough to be there.”

But, she says, “I kept getting called in, so  obviously I had to  then start to realize, okay, like maybe soccer is the way to go.”

The love of the game has its highs and lows. In college, Hubly experienced both. The time period would be a huge reflection point in her life. She spent three years at the University of Kentucky before transferring to DePaul.

“Kentucky was really an interesting experience because  SEC schools are huge,” Hubly says. “Going there my freshman year, I honestly didn’t even feel like I was there for school. I was mostly there for soccer.”

After her third year at Kentucky, she decided to transfer to DePaul. Hubly’s love for soccer was fading, and she didn’t even know if she wanted to play anymore.

“When I transferred to DePaul, I kind of, like, wasn’t gonna play soccer anymore,” Hubly says.

Hubly says Kentucky wasn’t the best fit for her, but Depaul was. “I really lost my love of the game,” she says. “Going to DePaul, finding my love for soccer again is what got me wanting to continue to play soccer. I didn’t ever think I was gonna play pro.”

Kelli Hubly defends Christen Press against Angel FC. Photo taken by Matthew Wolfe
Kelli Hubly defends Angel City’s Christen Press. Photo by Matthew Wolfe.

After going undrafted in 2017, Hubly’s career could have been over before it even started. Luckily, fate had other ideas. Former Thorns head coach, Mark Parsons reached out and asked her to come to preseason. When the Portland Thorns offered her an opportunity as a National Team Replacement Player that year, Hubly wanted to give it a real chance.

Hubly’s start with Portland was definitely not what she imagined, but she always remained strong and determined.

In her rookie season of 2017, she made two substitute appearances.

“I think that year, I needed that to grow,” she says, “and it wasn’t fun. I didn’t have a of friends. I was really quiet.” The normally-outgoing Hubly found herself watching Love Island eight hours a day, by her estimate.

“I was sad, but I promised myself: I’m gonna give it a year,” she says. “The next year, I came back and earned a roster spot. So I think it was just like, putting my head down doing the dirty work to get here.”

From 2018 to 2021, she earned 22 appearances with 18 starts. In 2020 and 2021, she started all the NWSL Challenge Cup matches for the Thorns.

Hubly blossomed in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup. She was dominant and staked her claim as a starter at center back moving forward—but also as one of the top defenders in the league.

Dubbed “unsung hero” of Portland’s defense, per Just Women Sports’ Hanna Martin, Hubly had the stats to prove it. She had a 100% success rate in tackles, a 68.2% success rate in duels, a 75% success rate in aerial duels, and successfully completed 84% of her passes. “Often overlooked among the Thorns’ star names, Hubly is as reliable as they come in the defensive third,” writes Martin.

In 2022, Hubly became Thorns’ Iron Woman by starting and playing in every game. She was one of only seven players in NWSL to achieve this honor.

On June 3, 2022 she scored her first ever goal off a ridiculous header against Angel City at Providence Park.

At the end of 2022 season, she would be an NWSL champion for the second time. However, for the first time, she was named NWSL Best XI Second Team.

“Honestly, I didn’t even [know],” Hubly says. “I skipped over the email because it wasn’t even a thought in my head.”

Kelli Hubly didn’t read the entire message at first, but when she looked at the NWSL email congratulating her, it was pure disbelief.

“I’ve never been the player even in college [to] win awards like that,” she says. “I’m just used to it by now. So, I was really shocked that I got the award.”

Naturally, the first person Hubly told was her other half of Portland soccer’s premier power couple: boyfriend, Portland Timber, and USMNT player Eryk Williamson.

Williamson continues to be her biggest supporter and fan, Hubly says. “He is always pushing me to be even more, even more, and even more,” she says. “He never wants me to settle.”

She then went onto tell her parents. “They’re just so happy for me,” she says, “all the hard work that is finally being recognized. I think for me, that’s the biggest part: just being recognized, like, how far I’ve come.”

In 2022, Hubly signed a contract extension that runs through 2024 and looks to be a player who could spend her entire career with the Thorns. After a lifetime of dedication to soccer, she is finally being recognized for her talent, work ethic, and consistency.

Her development since 2017 is why the NWSL matters, but also why being patient and developing players is so important. Hubly has shown that she’s only getting better and will continue to do so from here.

Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Timbers 1, Sporting KC 0

Zac McGraw put on a masterclass at CB for the Portland Timbers in their 1-0 season opening win at Providence Park.
Zac McGraw put on a masterclass at CB for the Portland Timbers in their 1-0 season opening win at Providence Park. Photo by Matthew Wolfe.

After a snow-delayed start to their 2023 season, the Portland Timbers escaped with a 1-0 regular season opener win Monday night against a talented Sporting Kansas City side.

The match was the first season opening win under Portland head coach Gio Savarese and team’s first since 2017.

The victory came at the foot of right back Juan David Mosquera, who tallied the lone goal of the match in the sixth minute.

The score does not tell the entire story. This game proved it more than others.

Brr, It’s Cold in Here!

The originally scheduled home opener was postponed due to the snow storm. Instead of a weekend opener, the Portland Timbers hosted Sporting KC for Monday Night Football.

Thankfully, the Portland staff and crew made sure the field was cleared and the game was playable. We owe them all a huge round of applause and our gratitude.

The More Things Stay the Same,  the More They Change?

Heading into the season, the Timbers returned primarily the same roster they had in 2022, with only three new starters on opening day. Evander, the highest paid transfer in team history at $10 million, was tasked with combining with midfield stars Eryk Williamson and Diego Chará to hopefully return Portland’s unit to elite status. The other two changes came in defense: After trading center back Bill Tuiloma and moving on from right back José Van Rankin, rising star center back Zac McGraw and last season’s transfer Mosquera are now starters. They are hoping to improve a backline that gave up the 11th-most goals in MLS in 2022.

Elite Midfield? Not just yet, but soon.

When El Maestro, Diego Valeri, departed from the Timbers before the 2022 season, he left a legacy in the center of the pitch. Evander has been hyped as the team’s next magician in midfield.

Evander made his Portland Timbers regular season debut versus Sporting KC. Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Evander made his Portland Timbers regular season debut versus Sporting KC. Photo by Matthew Wolfe.

His debut was tough sledding. Evander was not able to get into a rhythm, and it showed. However, he put energy into his defending. His commitment to that end should excite everyone. Even if the game is unable to find him, he’s shown a commitment to being a difference maker.

If this is an “off game,” he still led the team in duels, dribbles, successful dribbles, and possession won.

Savarese described Evander’s night as “a performance of a player that just arrived in a new league, a performance of a player that, at the beginning, was finding and looking to try to be involved in the game.”

Savarese said Evander found “really special moments” in the game’s second half, even if they didn’t all go Portland’s way. “But I think for me, the most important thing is how much he ran for the team,” Savarese said, “how much he put work to make sure that we got a win. And for me, that’s so important […] He has those moments, and he’ll be able to provide it the more he’s going to adapt, the more that he’s going to play, the fitter he’s going to get. But he ran for the team today, and that is something you feel is very important from a player of his caliber. Very proud of him, very proud of the group. I’m excited for what is coming in the future from him.”

Williamson is at his best when he has the freedom to sit next to Chará and roam all the way up next to Jarosław Niezgoda. In the first 15 minutes, he was able to do that.

Once Sporting KC made a commitment to press and look for the equalizer, Portland’s entire XI was pinned back defending. Williamson was phenomenal on the ball and was one of the only players who seemed comfortable playmaking and beating the press.

Chará is the most consistent No. 6 in MLS, and he brought it on the defensive end. He led the team in interceptions, blocks, and tackles won, reliable as ever in the opener.

Just one game in, it’s clear the midfield of Evander, Williamson, and Chará is going to improve with more time to build chemistry and rapport. They are going to be the key to Portland’s season this year.

Juan Mosquera scores his first Timbers goal in the 2023 regular season home opener versus Sporting KC. Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Juan Mosquera scores his first Timbers goal in the 2023 regular season home opener versus Sporting KC. Photo by Matthew Wolfe.

Where Will the Goals Come From?

Last year proved that the Timbers can rely on every single player on the team to score goals. This game was no different. If the Timbers are going to be a top team in MLS—as is their hope—everyone will need to contribute.

The game’s only goal belonged to  Juan David Mosquera.

“It was a great feeling to be able to help the team,” Mosquera said after the match,” because of course with the goal we were able to get the first three points of the year. I just hope to keep going that way. To me, the most important thing is to be able to help the team.”

Next week at LAFC, it most likely will be another hero.

Don’t be surprised if the team has a bunch of 5+ goal scorers this year. This team will be one that has a goals-by-committee approach.

How Did the Backline Look?

Portland’s defense was missing Claudio Bravo, who was brave going forward and a willing defender in 2022. He is one of the best left backs in MLS—a tall order for the Timbers to replace this game.

Bravo had a career year in 2022, when he led the team in tackles won with 77. He also paced the Timbers last season in interceptions, touches, and duels won.

Only one issue: He is still not 100%.

Justin Rasmussen was inserted in the starting XI in place of Bravo, and it didn’t go so well.

Fresh off appearances for the Colombian National Team, Mosquera was ready to make the right back position his this season. After only making three appearances—and two starts—for the Timbers in 2022, he was determined to make the most of the opening day start for the club.

Mosquera took almost no time to make his mark. Known for his attacking prowess from the fullback position, Mosquera lived up to the hype. In the sixth minute, he scored his first career goal for Portland.

After a shaky start—including a a yellow card in the 26th minute—Dario Župarić was clinical. He came up huge when his name was called upon. At one point, Župarić even dove head first to snuff an attack and paid the price. Amazingly, he stayed in the game and battled the rest of the evening.

David Bingham was solid and came up clutch throughout the game. He had a crucial double save in the 24th minute, which would set the tone the rest of the night.

Zac McGraw was excellent in defense: numerous chances denied, hit solid passes, and great marking. Every time Sporting KC got close to scoring, McGraw was ready. There isn’t a center back in the MLS with more upside. With former Timbers legend and current coach Liam Ridgewell by his side, he is poised to have a career year.

And starting off the season by holding Kansas City scoreless is right in line with that trajectory.

“That’s what you take pride in,” McGraw said of the Timbers’ clean sheet. “Try to limit shots, limit their shots on goal, at the end of the day get a shut out. Because if you get a shutout, we did our job, so it’s up to the offense to take care of their job. Obviously Mosquera, a defender, made that goal so just all-around good performance from the defensive line.”

This backline is going to improve immensely this season and it’ll get even better with the return of Bravo in a few weeks. The early signs are encouraging and exciting.

The Impact of an Incomplete Starting XI

The Portland Timbers played without starting left back Claudio Bravo and goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič ,while Santiago Moreno also started on the bench.

The team did not have a full complement of first team players, and it showed for stretches of the game. Portland had a lot of bad giveaways, sloppy passes, and misconnections.

Sporting KC dominated possession by 58% to 42%. Their press wreaked havoc on the Timbers’ attack. If we’re being completely honest, they were the better side. Kansas City were very unlucky not to get a result.

“We were all over [Portland] in the second half,” Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes said. “We created some good chances in the first half, as well as the second half. We couldn’t find it, but the effort, the desire, the passion, everything was there in the game. Other than the mistake on the first goal, I thought we had it. Outside of that, the team played well.”

The frontline duo of Marvin Loría, Niezgoda, and Yimmi Chará seemed out of touch and off their games. However, Loría’s work rate was phenomenal, and he still put in a fantastic shift.

Niezgoda’s conversion rate plummeted in 2022, and the early hopes of a rebound season do not look good. He got in good positions, but the first touch let him down all game. Y. Chará assisted on Mosquera’s goal and was subbed off later on with an apparent hamstring injury. Savarese said it will be weeks before he returns.

Santi Moreno checked in for Y. Chará in the 33rd minute.

The midfield of Evander, Williamson, and D. Chará looked exceptional for the first 15 minutes but had to focus on covering defensively for the remainder of the game. They had moments, but moving forward they’ll need to more. Portland will need to play on the front foot and counterattack more often if they want to take advantage of their midfield.

We must give credit where it’s due, to the Portland Timbers defense, especially from the backline. The entire team put in massive amount of effort to make sure the score ended in their favor. Many of the standouts were on that backline.

Standouts: Stock up!

Player of the Match: Zac McGraw

McGraw has all the talent in the world and led the the backline to a shutout of Sporting KC side who did everything they could to get a result at Providence Park.

He put on a masterclass at center back and led the team with six aerial duels won and two blocks and was second with four tackles.

Juan David Mosquera:

What a game by JDM!

He led the team in touches, goals, tackles, and tackles won. Don’t be surprised if Europe comes calling sooner rather than later.

David Bingham:

After starting in place of star goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, Bingham absolutely came up clutch and commanded his backline well.

He came up with four huge saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Eryk Williamson:

There are no players in MLS who can do what Williamson does. The USMNT is calling because of his ability to play world class soccer. He led the midfield in passing accuracy and chances created, which should be a common occurrence this season.

Santi Moreno:

Even though he didn’t start, Moreno came on and made a difference.

He led the team in chances created and passes in the final third. He also contributed three successful dribbles, two tackles, and eight possessions won.

Just another day at the office for him.

Head coach Gio Savarese:

Savarese is now the winningest head coach in club history with 69 victories. He continues to find ways to win with this club each season. Congrats to Gio!

Categories
Soccer Thorns

Spoiler Alert: 2023 is the Year of Sam Coffey

Photo by Kris Lattimore.

Sam Coffey was drafted in 2021 by the Portland Thorns. She was the 12th pick overall from Penn State University and an attacking midfielder. In a class where Emily Fox and Trinity Rodman were selected with the first two picks, Coffey has become the absolute steal of the 2021 draft.

At the time, former head coach Mark Parsons praised Coffey’s ability to pass and score and her skill in the final third. At the draft, he described her as a  “difference-maker, can pass and shoot.”

If you look at the modern game, can dribble, who can twist and turn,” he said. “We’ve lacked some of that, you know, the last couple of years.”

He also believed Coffey was pro-ready—despite the fact that she chose to take advantage of an extra COVID-19 season Penn State before joining the Thorns in 2022. “That dynamic ability was key bringing in Sam, who’s going to have an immediate impact,” Parsons said. “This is someone who can be a difference maker in the final third.”

After Angela Salem’s retirement after the Thorns’ 2021 campaign and Lindsey Horan’s loan to OL, Portland was looking at a possible rebuild in midfield heading into the 2022 season.

Thorns general manager Karina LeBlanc and then-head coach Rhian Wilkinson put on a roster-building masterclass. Enter rookie Sam Coffey and NWSL newcomer Hina Sugita. Wilkinson was brilliant to see that Coffey had a chance to be a world-class No. 6 for her squad.

Brilliant Rookie Season

In Coffey’s first season, she was named to the NWSL Best XI first team, earned four caps for the USWNT, was nominated for rookie of the year, and was crucial all season in Portland’s NWSL championship run.

Photo by Kris Lattimore.

The Rose City Review recently spent some time talking to Coffey about her 2022:

On keys to her immediate success at her new position and how much support she received throughout last season.

Coffey: “There were a lot of keys. One of [the] biggest ones for me is the belief of the people around me and the support of the people around me. When you’re a [No.] 6 on a team like this, they make my job a lot easier. They were so encouraging and helpful—and still are—in my development and learning of this role.

“I can’t even put into words what that feels like, and how comforting [it is] to know that I’m looking from my left to my right and seeing the class all around me. I think just having a real growth mindset with it; I’m not going to get it perfect, I’m still learning.

“I am still learning. It’s not going to be this constant uphill progression. Rhian used to always encourage me to get a PhD in this position, and I love that language, like a student. I’m just trying to learn about it every day, get better at it every day. I’m not going to have it all, all the time.

“There are going to be areas I need to improve, there are going to be bumps, just like this month has presented. Definitely a bump in the road, but I am so confident that it’ll serve and help me, make me a better player, better person, better competitor, and I’m just really excited to experience that.”

Photo by Kris Lattimore.
The Bump in the Road

USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s roster for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup somehow managed to omit Sam Coffey from that list. Andonovski has said that he believes Coffey should be considered an NWSL MVP candidate. She was arguably the best defensive midfielder in the NWSL in 2022 and should have been a lock for the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

On the omission from the 2023 SheBelieves Cup and doing everything she can to make the WWC roster.

Coffey: “Obviously, I am disappointed not to be in camp, but I think this presents a really good opportunity for me to fine-tune areas of my game. Even seeing me out here with Vytas [Assistant Coach and former Portland Timber Defender], working on different areas of my game that need some refinement, like aerial challenges, 50/50 balls, being more aggressive. So, I think, I’m really viewing this time as an opportunity to address those things, but like you said it’s my dream to go.

“I want to serve and be on that team. I want to be there, and I believe I’m good enough to be there. I don’t think I need to do anything differently. I’m going to continue and try grow and be my best self. But I think taking this time reflecting and fine-tuning different areas of my game [to the] best of my ability is a good place to start. I just want to continue to be who I am, be authentic to me, just continue to grow during this process.”

If there’s extra motivation for her.

Coffey: “Yeah, I’d say I already have intense fire burning without a setback like that. Of course, it’s all motivation, all fuel for me. Again, I think it does give me an opportunity to even mentally, physically, spiritually reflect and address things that I need time to address and to watch those games. Obviously, cheer the team on, but watch it tactically, watch it from a perspective of how I can improve and how I can just stay locked in and focus on what the group’s doing.

“I would say of course it does light a fire, but I want this more than anything. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there.”

2023: The Year of Sam Coffey on the USWNT

Whether everyone likes it or not, Coffey should make the World Cup team in 2023. It would be colossal failure to have her wait until 2027.

Coffey is the best distributor in the USWNT pool, and it’s not close. She is an elite quarterback at the position and is able to keep control of the ball with her dribbling, quick thinking, turns, and world-class ability to read her opponent’s defense.

Andi Sullivan is the only other true No. 6 on the USWNT roster and is a very fine option. Still, Sullivan and Coffey are two completely different players, and it’s great to have as options depending on the matchup. Having these two players rotate at the World Cup would be the best case scenario for the USWNT.

As Andonovski continues to experiment with Taylor Kornieck at the No. 6 just months before the WWC, it’s obviously there’s not enough time for her to master a new position. It’s also very apparent that the role is not where she is most effective on the pitch.

“I don’t see her in that light for us,” San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney said when asked about Kornieck’s role with the national team. “I think we’d be taking away her strengths if she played as an isolated six.”

Photo by Kris Lattimore.

That brings us back to Coffey, who is one of the most naturally gifted No. 6s. In most cycles, she would be a lock for the USWNT—and probable starter.

Still, she’ll look to start the NWSL season off blazing hot and force Andonovski’s hand in her favor.

With a year of league play under her belt, Coffey will be trying to pad the stat sheet this season—adding to her two assists and one goal in 2022. She has already taken most of the set pieces for the club, and has continually improved.

“I think she’ll keep growing,” Thorns head coach Mike Norris said. “She’s young. She’s got the hunger and desire.”

Coffey rarely makes any mistakes, has a field vision that is utterly remarkable, and picks out difficult passes with ease. Expect her to be even sharper, more dangerous, and more influential for the Thorns in 2023—from defense and distribution to playmaking as a passer and scorer.

It’ll be a tough game for anyone trying to defend against Coffey in the NWSL this season—and hopefully we’ll be able to say the same about players going up against her on the international stage.

Categories
Soccer Timbers

The Next Timbers Superstar

Photo by Matthew Wolfe.

Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson is ready to terrorize defenders this season.

“Last year, I was able to make the final pass,” he says, “Continuing that, I can always get better at that, but it’s a fact of also finishing.” He’s hoping to change that in 2023—and to continue to grow as a box-to-box midfielder, working in tandem with Diego Chará. 

Williamson’s ambition of becoming an even more complete player for Portland feels in line with his trajectory since he joined the team in 2018.

A Star is Born

On January 23, 2018 the Portland Timbers made a rather under-the-radar move to acquire the MLS Homegrown Player rights from D.C. United. In turn, they gave up $100,000 in 2018 general allocation money, $100,000 in 2019 targeted allocation money, a 2018 international spot, and a second-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Portland used those Homegrown Player rights to pick up a player who had spent three years at the University of Maryland and been on the USYNT scene.

Williamson joined a team with a legacy of superstar talent in the center of the park. From Chará to Diego Valeri to Sebastián Blanco and Darlington Nagbe, outstanding star power has always been present in the Timbers midfield.

In a year that halted sports—and life—across the globe for months and months, Portland managed to find a bright spot. The Timbers’ 2020 MLS season was the chance for Williamson to show off his ability, and did he ever. After getting his first taste of MLS by making seven appearances in 2019, he balled out in 2020, playing in 26 games and tallying three goals and six assists.

The Timbers had found their future star.

Williamson has shown himself to be an absolute playmaker for Portland and the USMNT when given the chance to be himself. He sees the game with elite eyes and picks out passes that are, frankly, ridiculous, with an insanely high degree of difficulty. The way he plays soccer is one that reminds you what is so special about this sport. It’s about being unique and true to who you are.

Williamson is a gamechanger, with moments of brilliance that can alter the momentum of a game.

Nothing is Ever Easy

By 2021, Williamson had cemented himself as a key part of the club’s core and future—and he was also finally in the USMNT discussion.

He made his senior national team debut in July 2021 in the Gold Cup against Haiti, helping the team to a tournament title. But on August 29, 2021, against the rival Seattle Sounders, Williamson suffered a season-ending ACL injury. 

Everything had to be put on hold. 

Williamson attacked rehab with intentions to make it back on the pitch better than ever. He worked tirelessly to make his triumphant return after seven months (or 210 days), but wasn’t able to make it back into the national team mix ahead of the 2022 World Cup. 

“To be somewhat in the conversation is a good feeling,” he says of the beginning of 2023. But he wants to cement himself as a regular on the USMNT. 

“I’m not satisfied with it,” Williamson says. “It’s an honor to wear the crest, and I think I want to do it on the biggest stage. The only way to do it is to continue to push. Knowing that I’m lucky enough to wear the crest, I’ve been able to wear it a couple games. It’s getting that first go-around out of the system and making sure it’s a consistent performance for the national team, but also here.”

If the Timbers are able to rebound from last year’s disappointment and be in the MLS Cup chase this year, Williamson will be a catalyst for their ascent. 

It’s about “being a player we can’t go without,” Williamson says. “Try to make sure I can play 90 minutes every game and continue to help guys around me. Also, just gel with the midfield we have. We have a lot of talented players, lot of pieces that we brought back, few pieces we brought in. It’s exciting.”

Better Than Ever

Portland made their biggest full transfer in club history this offseason by acquiring Brazilian midfielder Evander from the Danish club FC Midtjylland.

The move puts Evander, Williamson, and Chará in the position to be an elite midfield and one of the best in MLS.

“It’s honestly scary,” Williamson says. “Diego is Diego. You know what he is going to bring, but he has added this attacking side as well. Evander is the new piece that we started to fit in. We want it to be where guys can’t stop us, they can’t defend us, and making sure that we are beating teams with not only talent, but how hard we are working off the ball, too. 

“I know we can learn from each other,” he says. “We all have different pieces that gel it all together, which is exciting.”

After an offseason focused on decompressing without the pressures of rehab, Williamson is rearing to go. “I’m flying,” he says. “It’s the best I’ve felt in a preseason. 

“That’s kind of the biggest thing for me: making sure that my body and mind was in a good place to start this year,” he says, “knowing that the comeback story is just starting. It’s good to be back with the national team, but [I’m] not satisfied with just one call up—trying to make it a regular thing.”

He’s also focused on “performing here, with Portland, and making sure that we are a top three team in the West.”

In the Timbers’ preseason game against the LA Galaxy, Williamson is already showing off his incredible talent. He was brilliant with his connecting play and had two assists.

He’s going to have a monster year.

And maybe, we’ll get to see the return of the brilliant journalist William Erykson, who made a memorable reporting debut for the Alexander Times at the Portland Thorns’ 2022 NWSL Championship media day. 

“I think we have a few things brewing,” says Erykson.

Categories
Soccer Timbers

A Star in the Making

Zac McGraw starts for Portland Timbers in their 2-1 win over Atlanta United at Providence Park. Photo by Kris Lattimore
Zac McGraw starts for Portland Timbers in their 2-1 win over Atlanta United at Providence Park - Photographer: Kris Lattimore
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