Concacahampions
League brings the best of every nation in this confederation tourney, as the
Portland Timbers seeded in what seem a tough group of play and a one of a kind
rival in the so-called S or monsters den.
Playing at always-difficult
Ricardo Saprissa Ayma Stadium in the capital of San Jose, Costa Rica, the PTFC
went to play one of the clubs known in the circles of CONCACAF as the giant
slayer for its top rated and premier game they always display.
When I say giant
slayer, I mean they have beaten the utmost of squad’s from Mexico, Salvador,
Honduras, Panama, Trinidad and the USA, known for their amazing, tough and
dynamic game.
As the Purple Monster
so far with a near perfect record over Major League Soccer squads posting 9
wins, one loss and a draw. That lonely loss comes to the likes of the Columbus
Crew and the draw against DC United.
By far this squad
numbers speak of its might and all around supremacy over its Confederation foes.
Another intimidating
fact is whenever the Costa Rican national squad plays, their do it in this stadium
as its ambiance and atmosphere seems to be a deterrent to many national squads
as the fans high decibels of noise and their involvement every minute of play,
seems to work in their favor.
As both squads coming
from their league compromises successfully, the PTFC looking forward to net a
positive result and slay the always-invincible Purple Monster at home, as
Manager Caleb Porter to front this match, made a few changes in his initial
eleven.
The Rose City squad
was ready to front a top rated eleven and getting a test of fire as this squad game
represents the might of other squads, especially the Mexicans who always come
labeled as all around favorites.
For this match the
Timbers Boss made a few changes, still he stick with some of his starters with Jake
Gleeson, Steven Taylor, Vytas, Diego Chara, Diego Valeri and Adi complemented
with Zarek Valentin, Jermaine Jones, Ben Zemanski, Lucas Melano and Ned
Gravaboy as the novelties.
Leaving Liam
Ridgewell, Jack Jewsbury and Darlington Nagbe at home to rest for their league
match on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union, and considered a vital one
for the Northwest squad post-season push.
With the start of the
match, we saw how both squads were evenly putting their elevens to their best
and seeking the opportunity to open the hostilities. It is when a nice screen
pass from Adi and a sort of block for Diego Valeri that gave the Andean the
first opportunity and he did not waste it for the first goal of the game to push
the ball with just five minutes of play.
Still the locals were
not down and out, after the visitors score the Purple Monsters started making
all sorts of plays and pressuring the visiting backfield to put all sorts of
plays in their try to beat the posts defended by Jake Gleeson.
As the locals, perseverance
paid off at the end, with a nice cross and beating Timbers defender Steven Taylor
with a pass that Jermaine Taylor assisted against his cause and the Saprissa Boys
suddenly all tied up in the 33rd minute.
With the game now
being in total control of the locals and showing off a marked superiority and
all around dominance, the second goal did not lasted too long to make its appearance
with a penal in favor of the S Boys putting the scores 2-1, going into halftime.
Coming into the
second half once again the home field advantage evidently displayed by the locals
as in the 60th minute the Purple Monsters once again made their
presence felt with the third goal of the contest. Leaving the Rose City squad clueless
of what was going on, as the defense was overwhelmed time after time and
putting in overdrive the work of their keeper Gleeson all evening long.
No later came the
Portland response when a filtrated pass to Adi inside the are beat the living daylights
of Saprissa’s Keeper Carbajal for the lone goal difference, still the Ticos insistence
of adding more to their favor came through with another penal for the definitive
4-2.
At the end, the
Portland squad with this match is getting a taste of what to come in their upcoming
matches and rounds to come with squads of the likes of Honduras, Salvador,
Guatemala and especially Mexico.
As the way the Costa
Ricans or Ticos were very dominant in the first half, taking over the match and
actions in its entirety as well playing around with our Boys, intercepting and
decimating their power plays to a minimum and provoking them a whole array of
errors.
Understandable going
to a very hostile environment in the Monster Cave that makes honor to its name,
still for the PTFC by now they should not be intimidated by no one, as they
advance into the next rounds and play squads of the likes of the Mexicans, how
will they play them!
With true grit and
plenty of ambition, this squad can play one on one with anyone of the so-called
giants of CONCACAF.
Also for Manager
Porter playing these types of squads, patience is a virtue and putting a lot of
technique and preventing mistakes, minimizing the fouls and the yellow cards as
the PTFC drew four in the first half.
Controlling more the
ball is the utmost of goals into the next matches of international play.
For now, this match
is a goner and now for the Timbers focus on their next matches in league play
and starts adding the points for their push to the league postseason as well
prepare themselves to go to another hostile ground when they face FC Dragon in Salvador.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property
of © Craig Mitchelldyer 2016
Photos
Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer. com
2016
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