Last campaign the
Portland Timbers defensive backfields were among the most feared and reputable
in all of Major League Soccer. Seen by its foes as the stingiest, that net them
atop the league overall squads as tough to penetrate.
So far, in this
campaign, what many knew of that ruthless defensive backfield is a just memory
of those matches past, as well the overall achievements of showing us a clean
sheet. Many see it as outdated and no longer as backfields to deliver, with
time on the PTFC side, their possibilities still seen as abundant.
Especially for the
Timbers foursome that so far has seen a slight recovery but cannot surrender key
plays that start momentum's, to the opposing squad strikers to capitalize in their
errors equalizing to horrid losses at its end.
As this week, the
Portland Timbers were playing as visitors in always-tough BC place in
Vancouver, Canada- to stage those one of a kind and celebrated Derbies with
their Cascadia foes.
Starring the
defending champions Portland Timbers going against the always-hardened and contested
foe in the Vancouver Whitecaps. Being the first of several matches between these
Pacific Northwest squads to staged throughout this campaign.
The league since this
squad’s inception to MLS, suddenly it has paid a lot of attention to these Derbies
that highlight the importance of these matches between the fans and the extended
rivalry between these squads. Considered as a main event whenever these so-called
Cascadia Derbies staged with a close attention.
In this match, the
locals seeing a sort of a see saw campaign and looking to score big with a win
that will help them escalate the Western Conference top spots and too take a commanding
lead in the Cascadia Cup standings.
The Caps had their
talisman player in their initial eleven with Pedro Morales back from the DL,
animating his teammate’s spirits and causing an all-around motivation on eve of
this important match.
For the visiting Timbers,
so far with a streak of three matches without knowing the meaning of defeat and
with seven points earned out of nine in three matches, the Rose City squad considered
as a heavy favorite to take the win.
Having a complete initial
eleven despite the substitution defensively with Jake Gleeson defending the posts
and Zarek Valentin for injured Alva’s Powell, the PTFC had its frontal and midfield
attack all complete.
Here we go again with
the celebrations of those always passionate and contested Cascadia Derbies,
where its main characters really go for the ultimate of glories- seeking those
bragging rights of dominance.
Something immediately
shown by a determined and hungry Timbers squad when they started a first half
pressure that paid for them in the 33rd minute- between Nagbe and
Adi fabricating a play inside the area for Nagbe to pass the ball to an opportune
Borchers for the 1-0 score.
Still this match saw
the ultimate heroics done in every play by pressing Caps frontal attack leaded
by Mezquida, Bolaños and Morales all afternoon long and putting at bay the
posts of Gleeson who once again became a key in Portland defensive attack.
As opportunities raised
to the occasion when Chara touched a ball that went inside the area for a lucky
stricken Masato Kudo who never hesitated to take his shoot and even the scores
at one goal apiece, a total defensive mishap.
Another play
originated with Kudo passing to Blas Perez inside the area and Timbers goalie Gleeson did the unthinkable of allowing a
simple ball pass him in slow motion under his feet for what became the go ahead
and winning goal for the Caps.
A loss that makes the
Timbers Manager Caleb Porter to get back to the drawing board and try to fix a
simple series of mishaps on eve of his next match considered as an important one
against Dallas FC. With the Texans netting a very important win at Providence Park,
the Timbers pay them a visit at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
This win for the Caps
not only put this squad in the postseason spots of the Western Conference but
also in the Cascadia Cup. The Canadians show off a perfect record of 2-0 with
wins over Seattle and now the Timbers.
On the losing side
for the PTFC, his loss stops a momentum for Rose City squad, which situates
them in ninth place in their conference of play. Not easy task for Timbers Boss
Caleb Porter who has to juggle in his initial eleven players until his game
produces results.
One thing we know
from Caleb Porter is his insistence to perfection as well trying to remedy
those defensive flaws that are costing the Timbers valuable points and prevents
them of being among the top six squads of their conference.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of
Portland Timbers 2016
Photos Credit and Property of Ben Nelms The Canadian Press/ AP 2016
Photos Credit and Property of Ben Nelms The Canadian Press/ AP 2016
Photos Credit and Property of ©
Copyright Major League Soccer. com 2016
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