Category: Timbers

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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

Photo by Riya Patel.

The Portland Timbers went into this game coming off two consecutive wins for the first time all season. Unfortunately for them, they had to play three days after Sunday’s dominant 2-1 win over Austin FC.

In the interim head coach Miles Joseph era, Portland have scored two goals in each of their past five games. The 10 goals in that span is the club’s best run of form this season, by far.

This time, however, the Timbers had to do it with a rotated lineup at home against the seventh-place San Jose Earthquakes.

Bingham, Mosquera, McGraw, Zuparic, Bravo, Paredes (C), Acosta, Evander, Moreno, Boli, Blanco Substitutes: Sulte, Araujo, Mabiala, Miller, Antony, Asprilla, Y. Chara, Loria, Mora

Under their interim coach, the home side has played on the front foot quite a bit more than under his predecessor. This would be no different and led to their most complete performance of the year with a 2-1 win. The scoreline does not show their dominance over the game.

“In the first half, I feel like we controlled a lot of the game, especially with our ability to step into the front half of the field and press them and cause a lot of turnovers,” said Joseph. “We gained possession out of that in the front half of the field which is great. We created a lot of chances off that.”

The Timbers had more possession—51% to 49%—shots, shots on goal, crosses, total passes, and better passing accuracy. The offense ran through the midfield and fullbacks. Evander, Cristhian Parades, and Santiago Moreno ran the show in the first half, with support from Juan David Mosquera and Claudio Bravo. Their combinations and link-up play were a beautiful sight to behold. Still, the final product was not there until stoppage time.

In the last minute of stoppage time, Portland unleashed their counterattack, with Franck Boli leading the charge. Boli played it out wide to Bryan Acosta. The newcomer played the perfect ball across goal to find Paredes for the 1-0 lead.

The second half saw much more of the same for the Timbers.

In the 58th minute, Sebastián Blanco blasted a shot that deflected perfectly to Evander, who calmly finished double the lead to 2-0.

There was one slight hiccup. In the 60th minute, San Jose answered, thanks to a Matthew Hoppe goal off a rebound.

True to the Timbers’ new aggressive style, in the 64th minute, Felipe Mora, Yimmi Chará, and Antony were subbed on for energy and to preserve some legs for Saturday.

Instead of parking the bus, also Joseph subbed on Dairon Asprilla for Moreno and looked for the third goal.

“In the second half we continued, and we refreshed with some exciting players again,” Joseph said. “We were able to get in behind and create some more scoring chances. After we gave up the goal, we didn’t have to sit all the way back and protect ourselves. We still tried to progress and keep it in the front half of the field. Really, really good performance from our guys.”

After one of their best performances of season, the Timbers are now eighth in the Western Conference.

They host a reeling Colorado Rapids next, which will be Portland’s last home game until decision day against the Houston Dynamo.

Rotation?

Given the short turnaround, Joseph was required to rotate his lineup. He started Mosquera, Acosta, Blanco, and Boli in place of Eric Miller, Chará, Asprilla, and Mora.

By making this change, Joseph allows the team to play almost a full first XI on Saturday (except Paredes, due to yellow card accumulation).

Joseph’s willingness to trust depth players will pay dividends for this late run. He has refused to play it safe and prefers to turn on the jets, even late in the game.

Luckily, this will be the last short week the Timbers have the rest of the regular season.

Stay on the front foot!
Photo by Riya Patel.

Even if you are accustomed to playing on the back foot, it’s imperative you come out at home stepping on the gas. The Timbers executed their game plan almost to perfection against San Jose and won quite comfortably.

In the first half, the Timbers outshot the visitors five to one. The second half would see Portland grow into the game even more. They continued to attack nonstop, evidenced by their 14 to five shot advantage. In total, Portland outshot the Earthquakes 19 to six.

Much of their success was found by playing through their midfield and having good width with their wingers and fullbacks.

Joseph specifically praised Joseph and Acosta postgame.

Paredes has flourished under Joseph, who has allowed Paredes to be the box-to-box midfielder that suits his game most. He led the game in touches, chances created, shots, expected goals, completed passes in the final third, tackles, and recoveries.

He has been wearing the captain’s armband while Diego Chará recovers from his appendectomy. This year, he is a crucial influence on the team with his play and leadership.

“Cristhian continues to impress, as always, with his energy,” Joseph said. “His positioning has gotten so much better and his ability to control pockets of space with his possession now. I’m just really happy with him.”

Paredes wasn’t the only midfielder who shined on Wednesday.

Acosta played his best match since he joined Portland and paced the team with the game’s only assist. He also led in passing accuracy with 90.2%, chances created, and tackles won.

Evander scored his team-leading ninth goal of the year and led the team in shots on target, chances created, and crosses.

Joseph has the team playing quick, decisive, and exciting football. This is what fans have wanted to see all season, and it’s finally arrived.

Miles is him

In his six games as interim head coach, Joseph has completely turned Portland’s season around. His era is off to a hot start (4-1-1), and it shows no signs of slowing down.

He has changed the team’s mentality, play, and ambition.

“I think we show more character than before,” said Dario Župarić. “When a team changes the coach, something happens. We’re the same team, same group. But I think we’ve changed mentality.”

A team that was on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs are now at the door for the postseason.

Portland has now found a clear identity. What has been missing all season has been discovered. The structure is clearly defined, and Joseph is making it work by playing to his team’s strengths.

“We were then able to set some structure into place and define some clear roles with everybody available,” Joseph said. “Now, the guys are seeing things much clearer, and it’s been really nice to watch.”

Key Stats

Portland Timbers xG: 2.13
San Jose xG: 1.27

Shots inside the box: Portland 12, San Jose 5

Touches inside the box: Portland 32, San Jose 23

Another Santiago Moreno Performance: He had five dribbles, three successful dribbles, 17 final third passes, and two fouls won to lead the team.

Underrated, Claudio Bravo: Paced the team with three successful dribbles, three aerial duels, and 13 passes in the final third.

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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 2, Austin FC 1

Photo: Matthew Wolfe
Photo: Matthew Wolfe

The Timbers traveled to Texas to play Austin in hopes of keeping their playoff hopes alive. The visitors had to endure 40 minutes of pressure, but in the end, they came out victorious.

Portland endured and then fought back
Credit: Timbers FC
Credit: Timbers FC

Austin gave the Timbers a wake-up call only 60 seconds into the game, when Emiliano Rigoni scored a goal that was wiped off due to offside. Austin knocked on the door again 10 minutes into the match, when Gyasi Zardes hit the post with a header. Right after that, Sebastián Driussi forced David Bingham to make a one-handed save.

The Timbers had to clear corner kick after corner kick in the first minutes of the game, and they were nowhere near Austin’s box. The home team controlled the ball and the midfield, and they used the center of the park to their advantage in the attack.

It took the Timbers half an hour to shoot on frame. Evander set up a counterattack, sending a diagonal ball from left to right to Dairon Asprilla. Asprilla sprinted but waited a couple seconds for Santiago Moreno to make a run into the box. Moreno took the shot but hit it right to where Brad Stuver was standing.

Portland looked more alive after that. Just minutes later, they opened the counter. Bingham played a long ball that fell to Asprilla after Austin’s defenders couldn’t control it. Asprilla muscled his way to the end line and sent a low cross to the middle. A combination of a lucky bounce and Felipe Mora’s good positioning were enough to score the first goal of the night.

Austin tried to revert things in the second half, but the Timbers were more in control thanks to a better presence on the midfield. So, Austin tried to attack Portland through the middle, as they did in the first half, but to no avail this time. 

The visitors started to win battles in the midfield; Moreno doing just that led to the second goal of the night. Yimmi Chará sent a service from the left to the far post, where Mora was. Mora chested it to assist Evander, who scored with his right foot from close range.

It was unbelievable, but true. 

Of course, the hosts weren’t going down without a fight. After a great save by Bingham, Driussi scored one back in the 75th.

After that, Portland endured and created more chances. Maybe the clearest one was a sitter that Franck Boli couldn’t put in the back of the net in the 81st minute. A real shame.

The cases of Santiago Moreno and Dairon Asprilla

Moreno was playing his best soccer at the beginning of the year. As the season progressed, we learned he wasn’t that happy at Portland, and you could see it since his brilliance started to fade away little by little.

Nonetheless, in this game, the Colombian went back to his old self. We could see him shining in the midfield again, creating opportunities for his teammates and winning duels. 

Moreno is a valuable player for the Timbers, and with Diego Chará absent for the next couple of weeks, Portland needs a strong presence in the midfield. This improvement in Moreno’s game is very welcome.

Dairon Asprilla also had a great match. His presence on the field was evident. He created four chances and used his body pretty well to win 11 battles and five aerial duels. And let’s remember that it he was the one who battled for the ball that he later sent to the six-yard box, so Mora could score.

Hopefully, those two will keep pushing the Timbers forward in this critical last part of the season.

David Bingham, No. 1

Both Aljaž Ivačič and Bingham had opportunities to showcase their talents in the Gio Savaresse era, but in the end, the Slovenian was the one who won the starting position.

Things have changed under interim head coach Miles Joseph, though. Joseph said he’s happy with Bingham’s work, and for now, Bingham’s going to be the starting keeper.

And although many fans would rather see Jazzy on goal, a brief look at the stats helps Bingham plead his case:

Source: Opta
Source: Opta

Ivačič has started 15 games so far and registered many more saves than Bingham, who has 14 starts. But the American has conceded almost half the number of goals that his teammate has. Bingham also surpasses the Slovenian in all the other stats.

True, these are cold numbers. We should analyze who was available in the backline when each of them started and who wasn’t. It would also be important to see who the opponent was and who was in the front line they had to face, among other important details.

Nonetheless, you can’t deny the numbers and how well Bingham has been doing lately.

It is important to add, though, that the Timbers have a tight schedule this week. They play the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday and the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Joseph has said he’s anticipating some rotation. Will he give minutes to Jazzy?

With the three points they got in Texas, Portland is occupying a playoff spot. Will they be able to keep climbing the table and secure it? Playing at home should help them in this quest, so it’s a good thing the next two matches are at Providence Park.

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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 2-2 Seattle Sounders

Credit: Kris Lattimore
Credit: Kris Lattimore

The Timbers traveled to Seattle after last Wednesday’s win at home in search of the elusive back-to-back win. What looked like the end of their unbeaten streak at Lumen Field took a wild turn, helping Portland gain a point and spoil Seattle’s party.

This was interim head coach Miles Joseph’s third game in charge of the Portland Timbers, and he made changes to the starting XI after Wednesday. Eric Miller, Yimmi Chará and Felipe Mora started instead of Claudio Bravo, Franck Boli, and Sebastián Blanco.

Source: Timbers FC
Graphic via Timbers FC

In terms of attacking prowess, Bravo brings more to the table than Miller. But after some poor performances by the full-back, it was understandable that the coach wanted to see what Miller might bring to the table. That and the match being the team’s third game in one week might have been the reasons to let Bravo rest a little.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best of games for Miller—losing Raúl Ruidíaz’s mark less than 10 minutes into the match wasn’t good at all—but he didn’t give the ball away as easily as Bravo, which is always welcomed. Miller also didn’t get into as many duels as the Argentine does, but the times he did, he was more successful. (He won 67% of his duels, while Bravo only won 37.5% last match.)

Seattle’s first half was a party

Of course, the Timbers handled the ball to their rivals. That’s how they play and how they’ll probably keep playing until the end of the season. Still, seeing Portland playing catch against the Seattle Sounders wasn’t fun at all. What also hurt was to see five-and-a-half-feet tall Ruidíaz beat Miller in a set piece.

Eric Miller marking (?) Ruidíaz. Source: MLS / Apple TV
Eric Miller marking (?) Ruidíaz. Source: MLS / Apple TV

When you see that caption, you might wonder, ‘What is Miller doing trying to cover Ruidíaz from behind?’ Well, I don’t have the answer for that question, other than that he tried to zone mark but ended up leaving Ruidíaz in a perfect position to head that ball home.

And speaking of full-backs, Juan David Mosquera going forward is good and all, but most of the time he was caught in transition when the Timbers lost the ball in the midfield, and he wasn’t fast enough to backtrack on time. Other times he would just fail to read the play well and cut pass lanes, leading to most of Seattle’s attacks coming from the Timbers’ right flank.

Y. Chará didn’t have the best of games either and contributed little to nothing on the attack.

Thank you for the celebration, Léo Chú

Half an hour into the game, Cristhian Paredes checked his back twice, saw Albert Rusnák nearby, and when Diego Chará passed the ball to him, he checked João Paulo’s position but never registered Léo Chú’s.

Source: MLS/ Apple TV
Paredes checking Paulo. Source: MLS/ Apple TV

The Sounders attacker came from Paredes’ blind side to steal the ball, and the rest is history. At the half-hour mark, the home team was already up 2-0. The minute the goal was scored went to the books, but Chú’s celebration did not, although that was crucial for the final outcome of this game as well. Chú took off his shirt and earned a yellow card—setting the stage for the second half.

It looked as if the Sounders were unbeatable in the first half. The Timbers had a great opportunity in the 40th minute, but the ball refused to go in, and João Paulo had a lot to do with it. Then, Portland had a free kick near the end of the first forty-five that was so close to goal! You could say it was the prelude to the golazo Evander would score in the second half.

A three-minute spell

You might say the foul on Zac McGraw was soft, but that didn’t matter to the referee, who didn’t hesitate to show a second yellow to Chú for tackling McGraw when he already won the position and the possession of the ball.

Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer couldn’t believe it either.

Source: MLS / Apple TV
Source: MLS / Apple TV

In the 67th minute, Joseph made a triple substitution and put on the pitch a player that has built a reputation around scoring important goals for the Timbers. That’s right: Dairon Asprilla stepped on the field along with Blanco and Boli. The Colombian would prove to be key once again only seconds after he got into the game.

“Asprilla comes in and scores the goal,” Joseph said. “As long as I’ve been here, he’s amazing. I just couldn’t have been more pleased at that moment to get that goal that turned around the half for us.”

Kudos to McGraw, because he flicked the ball, and by doing so, he discombobulated Seattle’s defense—a move that left Asprilla unmarked to head that ball home. The Colombian received a yellow card for his celebration, like Chú, but there was a difference between those two.

Source: MLS/ Apple TV
Kids, don’t take your shirt off when celebrating a goal if you don’t know how to play on a yellow. Source: MLS/ Apple TV

Three minutes later Evander tied the game. His goal was incredible, but so was the Sounders’ apparent short-term memory. Just before halftime, the Brazilian was close to scoring—which he has from that spot (screen capture below) many times now this season.

How did Seattle give him so much space and time? That is a real doozie.

Evander's shot. Source: MLS/ Apple TV
Evander goal’s xG= 4.15 (Opta). Image: MLS/ Apple TV
Final thoughts

In a year where almost everything seems lost, games like this have the power to make people believe again… or at least make them come back home with a smile on their faces. Spoiling Seattle’s party is always fun and this match will go into the Cascadia rivalry games history book  as one to remember.

A point on the road is not much. Due to this draw, Portland lost the Cascadia Cup (congratulations, Vancouver), and they’re four points shy of the playoffs. But having come back from being down 0-2 against the Sounders in Seattle tastes sweet.

A lot has been said about how this draw also extends Portland’s unbeaten streak at Lumen Field, but not much has been said about how this draw might have given the Timbers the momentum they needed.

“It’s been a long week,” Joseph said. “Guys are tired, and this is a huge point for us. And that carries us through to next weekend against LAFC.” 

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Soccer Timbers

Kickin’ It with Dario Župarić

Photo by Kris Lattimore
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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 2, Real Salt Lake 1

Photo taken by the Kris Lattimore

Interim head coach Miles Joseph earned his first win as the leader of the Portland Timbers with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake in front the Providence Park home crowd.

The Portland Timbers snapped a four-match losing streak across all competitions—and a three match losing streak in MLS regular season play.

Bingham, Mosquera, McGraw, Zuparic, Bravo, Paredes, D. Chara (C), Evander, Moreno, Boli, Blanco Substitutes: Ivacic, Araujo, Mabiala, Miller, Acosta, Antony, Asprilla, Y. Chara, Mora

Portland came out on the front foot and with a ton of energy.

Back in the starting XI was Zac McGraw, who has been absolutely superb this season. His partnership with Dario Župarić has been one of the few bright spots for the Timbers this year.

Starting in his first MLS regular season game in 2023 was Timbers legend Sebastián Blanco.

In the 13th minute, the home side worked the ball beautifully down near the box. Franck Boli slipped a pass to Evander out wide. Evander played a well-placed ball to Juan David Mosquera, who looped a high cross in the top of the box. Real Salt Lake refused to make any effort to the ball, and Santiago Moreno made them pay with a headed goal to open the scoring.

Felipe Mora subbed on for Boli in the 57th minute. After scoring in the match against Vancouver Whitecaps, he would make it a second consecutive game. In the 64th minute, he doubled the lead for the Portland Timbers, thanks to a well-played assist from Moreno.

Real Salt Lake did not go down quietly. In the 82nd minute, Cristian Arango would cut the lead back down to one with a deflected goal past David Bingham.

Photo taken by the Kris Lattimore

Mora’s continued comfort and ascension is the extra boost the Portland Timbers need to possibly make a late playoff push.

First win

Joseph led the Portland Timbers to a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake for his first ever head coaching win.

After praising the team’s second half efforts against Vancouver, he was proud of how his team came out for this game.

“I thought it was a good continuation from our last game in the second half,” Joseph said. “So that was kind of the message going into the game to continue on from the second half of the last game and the guys really put a great effort in the first half to start off on the right foot.”

The Santi Moreno Show
Photo by Kris Lattimore

Don’t look now, but Moreno has put up consecutive fabulous performances.

“He did what was asked of him,” Joseph said. “On the attacking half of the field, he stayed wide, and I think his opportunities came pretty frequently.

“I think the important thing is for Santi to get his confidence, and I think tonight was a really, really good start for him,” he said.

Moreno scored his first goal of the season and tallied an assist for a goal contribution brace. The best part? His mom was in attendance to see him play his best football of the season.

“A very special moment for myself to score a goal and also do it in front of my mom,” Moreno said. “I haven’t been able to score this season, so it has been rough. But in front of my mom, it makes it very special and also, for me, to be able to score when we get the three points makes it even better.”

Officiating

The referees have been a bit inconsistent in their officiating against the Timbers for the last few weeks.

Diego Chará mentioned it in the post-game presser, and Joseph seem to agree with his captain’s sentiment about how games are being called for the team.

Next: Seattle

The Timbers make the trip up to Lumen Field to face their rivals, the Seattle Sounders today.

Joseph and the team will be ready.

“This is a great win for us to build momentum,” he said after the RSL victory. “I think every game against Seattle is important.”

Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Photo by Kris Lattimore
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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 3

Photo by Kris Lattimore

A week ago today, the Portland Timbers fired the winningest coach in the history of the franchise.

Gio Savarese gave everything he had to the club, fans, and city for over six seasons as head coach. He and his family will be missed for everything they did in the community.

There will never be anyone else like him. We, at the Rose City Review, wish Gio and his family all the best.

Former assistant Miles Joseph was asked to take over as the interim head coach in this final stretch, starting at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Even with the incredible effort the Timbers showed in the second half, it was not meant to be. They fell to Vancouver 2-3.

The loss was the Timbers’ lost their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

In the 13th minute, the Whitecaps’ Ryan Gauld got the road team on the board, when a deflection fell perfectly to him. In the 36th minute, Gauld placed a brilliant cross and found the head of Brian White to double Vancouver’s lead.

The Timbers would not go down without a fight.

In the 53rd minute, Darion Asprilla hit a perfectly pinpointed cross to find the head of Felipe Mora, who scored his first regular season goal of the year.

In the 60th minute, Evander recklessly tackled Richie Laryea in the box and gave up a penalty kick. Gauld would finish past David Bingham for his goal contribution hat trick (two goals and one assist).

In the 84th minute, the home team would respond once again. Sebastián Blanco, who came on as a second half sub, played a low driven ball near the top of the box to Evander, who made no mistake with it to cut Vancouver’s lead back to a one-goal difference.

During the final moments of the game, the Portland Timbers gave it all they had, but they couldn’t find the equalizer.

Interim

Taking over for someone as successful and beloved as Gio Savarese is a tall task.

Joseph has an uphill climb to bring Portland to the playoffs.

Still, his energy is fantastic and on display constantly. The players seem to be responding positively to it, both at training and during the game.

And he seems to have a game plan for the team.

“We trained this week on the wide triangles and trying to open up the field, especially against Vancouver,” Joseph said after the match. “The first half we were getting a little bit too narrow. So, we presented some video at halftime, and they corrected it. We needed to get to the end-line more, and we did. We got a goal out of it.

“I think as we stick to the process and move forward, we’re gonna create a lot of scoring chances.” 

No Bash Bros
Photo by Kris Lattimore

Although star center back Zac McGraw returned to training this week, he was not ready to start. Miguel Araujo took his place once again. Unfortunately, any pairing outside of Dario Župarić and McGraw has been unsuccessful for the Timbers this season.

Each time one of the stud centerback duo is not available, it is a struggle for the team.

Without McGraw starting the last two games, the Portland Timbers have surrendered eight goals.

This shows the lack of depth the team has, Araujo’s need for more time to get used to the pairings and system, and the importance of the Zs duo.

Cascadia Cup

Coming into the game, the Portland Timbers could have controlled their own destiny with a win or a draw at home against Vancouver Whitecaps.

With the loss, they now need to win next weekend in Seattle and for Vancouver to lose to Seattle in their Cascadia Cup finale.

Photo of the Match
Photo by Kris Lattimore
Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 0, Houston Dynamo 5

Credit: Matthew Wolfe
Credit: Matthew Wolfe

The Timbers traveled to Houston with the goal to do something different in this last part of the season and, hopefully, get some points.

Nonetheless, the game turned out to be a nightmare only 15 minutes into it.

Starting XI. Credit: Timbers FC
Starting XI. Credit: Timbers FC

The Portland Timbers went back to regular season action after playing in the Leagues Cup. Despite the results, the way they performed in the tournament gave fans hope again that they could have a better end of the season, and maybe push for a playoff spot.

Important absences contributed to the disaster

Without Diego Chará due to yellow card, suspension and without Zac McGraw due to an unspecified illness, Portland suffered defensively once again. Not only were they absent, but also Santiago Moreno and Marvin Loría. The defense looked sloppy, to say the least, and in some parts of the match, it looked nonexistent.

Only five minutes into the game, Claudio Bravo fouled Griffin Dorsey inside the box and Amine Bassi scored from the penalty spot.

After that, Houston kept sending through balls to their forwards that could’ve pretty much ended up in more goals. Not much time passed until the Dynamo scored its second of the night through Nelson Quiñones.

Houston’s third goal was unbelievable with Corey Baird going on a 1v1 with Ivačič after Adalberto Carrasquilla destabilized Portland’s defense with a backheel to Baird. Three goals in 14 minutes.

Things could’ve gotten so much worse at the 37th minute but the wood played for the Timbers when the ball hit the crossbar. But another goal was bound to happen and the Dynamo scored one more before halftime.

After the disaster that was the first half, Giovanni Savaresse changed almost 30% of the team at the start of the second half. One might say it worked because the Timbers stopped leaking so many goals but they didn’t improve enough to be near to scoring, let alone equalize this match.

Houston still had something left in the tank and after 60 minutes of soccer, they scored their fifth tally of the match through Brad Smith. 

Portland couldn’t catch a break in the entire game. The injuries ghost that has haunted the Timbers during the entire season appeared again. Jeroslaw Niezgoda entered the game in the 69th minute but he wasn’t going to stay on the field long. Only six minutes later he had to leave on a stretcher. This meant that the visitors played with one man down for the remainder of the match.

Claudio Bravo, we need to talk mister

Not to point fingers and look for a scapegoat but the performance of some of the Timbers in this game was truly disappointing. How did Claudio Bravo, as a fullback, manage to have zero tackles, zero clearances, zero blocked shots and zero interceptions? 

What is more, he looked as if he was bolted to the floor while Houston was attacking Aljaž Ivačič without merci. It is true that the entire backline did a lazy defending the entire night but Bravo’s attitude and the way he was – or wasn’t – doing his job are unacceptable.

No wonder why he was one of the four players the coach subbed off at halftime.

Bravo is just one example, but there are a lot of players that need to examine themselves and wonder if they’re giving their best to this team.

Who are the Timbers?

After this game it is fair to ask about the identity of this team. That question must be in every single fan’s mind, because Portland has shown multiple personalities this year.

Are they the fun team we saw in the Leagues Cup? Or are they the team that always can’t find the final pass? Are they the promising team that fights the entire match but ends up losing in the end? Or are they this pale version with no defensive skills whatsoever and no attack?

We don’t have the answer but one thing is sure: They’re not a reliable team and cannot score consistently even if their lives would depend on it.

“It was definitely a hard match. We need to be realistic: we played a horrible game tonight, and now we just need to look forward and focus on the next match,” said Cristhian Paredes after the game. He couldn’t have put it in better words.

The team had a lot of time to prepare for this match. This road game was supposed to be the Timbers’ final push to get into the playoffs. Fans were even a little hopeful after what they saw in the Leagues Cup, but the Timbers failed them again.

Now a playoff spot looks farther and farther away, and the end of their season looks nearer than before.

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Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 0, Rayados de Monterrey 1

Credit Matthew Wolfe
Credit Matthew Wolfe

The Timbers played Rayados de Monterrey in the Leagues Cup Aug. 4 and lost by a narrow margin. After losing to Tigres off a late André-Pierre Gignac goal, Portland had two objectives: obtain a win, and minimize mistakes that could cost them the game, as happened in the previous match.

Soccer repeats itself

Although the Mexicans had the first look of the match, the Timbers grew attacking-wise as the game went on. Santiago Moreno was on fire in the first half, distributing the ball here and there, setting his teammates with through balls, and carrying the ball to the final third. Franck Boli had two great chances in the first half. On both occasions, he fired a diagonal shot, but unfortunately, both went wide.

On the other hand, Monterrey tried to play on the counter and attacked with dangerous crosses, which Zac McGraw cleared over and over again. And although Rayados didn’t get as many chances as the Timbers in the first half, they broke through with a banger. Luis Romo carried the ball on the left and found Maximiliano Meza completely unmarked on the right, on the top of the box. Claudio Bravo tried to get there and block the shot, but it was too late, and Meza beat Aljaž Ivačič with the cleanest of technique.

The way the first half finished was a shame, but at the same time we have seen this story before: The Timbers start playing well, they’re fun to watch and generate great opportunities, but in the end, nothing ends up in the back of the net, and they have pay for not capitalizing on their chances.

Acres of space. Credit: MLS / Apple TV
Acres of space for Meza. Credit: MLS / Apple TV

The Timbers, once again, showed basic defensive mistakes. Monterrey’s came from a throw-in, and Portland had left Meza unmarked since the very beginning of the play. The Timbers defensive line never looked back to see who was sneaking behind their backs, and Meza took advantage of it—something Portland couldn’t do in the entire 90 minutes.

A very different second half

All the positive things we saw in the first half—the energy, the passing network the Timbers built so skillfully, Moreno controlling the tempo of the team—changed drastically in the second half.

Portland was clearly frustrated with how the first 45 minutes finished, and they couldn’t shake it.

But not everything was negative. The team still created some opportunities, and the defense did a good job overall. As is customary by now, Timbers’ centerbacks cleared almost every ball that fell into their box. That is how McGraw finished the game with 11 clearances.

Once the clock hit the 60-minute mark, head coach Gio Savarese decided to move the bench and sub in Felipe Mora and Yimmi Chará while benching Marvin Loría and Boli. More changes came as the minutes passed by in order to try to find the equalizer. 

Monterrey could’ve doubled the lead, but fortunately for the Timbers, the ball hit the post. Dario Župarić had the last look of the game, but goalkeeper Esteban Andrada made a great save in the 95th minute to claim a clean sheet.

Some controversy

A potential handball inside Monterrey’s box late in the match could’ve given the Timbers the chance to equalize—and therefore, to stay alive in the Cup. But the referee didn’t award the PK, so Portland’s run in this Leagues Cup came to an end.

Savarese referred to that potential PK twice in the post-match press conference, and understandably so, knowing that that could’ve kept Portland in the competition.

Despite the elimination, he was happy with the way his team performed, knowing that Rayados de Monterrey is a Mexican powerhouse.

“We knew we were going to play against a great team. We prepared ourselves pretty well; we believed in ourselves,” he said. “We wanted to compete, and I think we did that against a powerful club, with a deep bench. I think both teams gave everything and played with their hearts.”

But the game didn’t end peacefully. After Luis Romo elbowed D. Chará in the dying seconds of the game, things got heated on the field. The referee showed Romo a red card, but after checking VAR, he changed his decision. Both D. Chará and the Rayados player were shown a yellow.

Savarese referred to this incident, too. “In the end, both competed with intensity,” he said, “and the way the game ended made perfect sense. I think it was a great game, and what happened at the end proved it. We both wanted to keep playing, but in the end, we got eliminated from the competition. The only negative thing is the potential penalty the referee could’ve awarded to us to make the result more fair.”

Categories
Soccer Timbers

Takeaways: Portland Timbers 1, Tigres UANL 2

Photographer: Kris Lattimore

After securing three points in their Leagues Cup opening game against the San Jose Earthquakes, Portland was in position to clinch a spot in the knockout stage with at least a draw. The Timbers could also advance in a three-way tie through goal differential. 

Tigres is one of the most storied clubs in North America—and in the world. The opportunity to play a team of this historic stature is huge. 

Playing at a disadvantage for over a half would be too much to overcome, as the Timbers dropped the last game of the Leagues Cup group stage 1-2. 

Photographer: Kris Lattimore

In the 24th minute, Evander took on his best Leo Messi impersonation and hit the perfect free kick into to the upper 90 to put the home side up 1-0. 

Photographer: Kris Lattimore

The good times would not keep on rollin’, unfortunately. 

In the 42nd minute, former France international, André-Pierre Gignac scored the equalizer for Tigres.

To make matters even worse for Portland, Evander got sent off with his second yellow in the 44th minute. 

Even down a player in the second half, the Portland Timbers refused to bunker. Both teams exchanged chances, tackles, and shots. 

In the 81st minute, Jesús Angulo beat Juan David Mosquera far post and gave the visitors the 1-2 lead. 

In order to try to get a result out of the game, head coach Gio Savarese made a triple sub in the 88th minute: Franck Boli for Dairon Asprilla, Sebastián Blanco for Claudio Bravo, and Miguel Araujo for Mosquera. The Timbers would play the rest of the game with a three-back of Miguel Araujo, Dario Župarić, and Zac McGraw.

Still, the Timbers did enough to move on in the Leagues Cup. (There is no scenario that existed where they didn’t move on.) 

Evander

The biggest transfer in Timbers history has taken the reigns of this team and won’t let go.

He is putting his stamp on games and has shown his best stretch of play. 

In the 24th minute, Evander delivered once again for Portland. 

The Timbers will continue to win games if this stud continues to take over matches. 

Unfortunately, Evander picked up his first yellow in the 39th minute. Then, the head official decided to get involved in the 44th minute and give Evander his second yellow.

Replays showed that this was not warranted, and it was a real shame, as the game was starting to go end-to-end with a ton of action. 

As a player on a yellow card, you’ve got to be extremely careful and not put yourself in that position. 

It was a frustrating way for Evander to end his time in the game, especially with such a big start. 

Felipe Mora

Mora has worked his tail off to come back and has recently returned to play. However, this start was a huge milestone for him. 

His professionalism through it all shows his character. There aren’t many players who have committed to the city and team the way he has. These moments and opportunities are more than deserved for the Timbers’ No. 9. 

Officiating 

Instead of playing this entire game at full strength, Evander’s second yellow card put us down to 10 players for the second half. 

The official decided to intervene and have the main say over the game.

The atmosphere was amazing throughout, and the fans would have loved to see these teams go at it with everything they’ve got. 

Make no mistake, the official allowed both teams to play. But Tigres is a phenomenal side and did not need the extra assistance.

“I just think the referee ruined the game,” said Savarese. “The referee ruined the game on a red card that was not conscientious of what is happening in the game. For me, there was no need. We were facing a very good team that didn’t need any extra help.”

It’ll a long time before we ever see these two sides go at it again, if ever. It’s a shame that a game was decided in that fashion.

Photographer: Kris Lattimore
Quote of the Night

Categories
Soccer Timbers

Gallery: Portland Timbers 2, San Jose Earthquakes 0

Photo by Kris Lattimore
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