Dubbed by Major
League Soccer as rivalry week and showing all weekend long with one of kind
competitions between squads that can take it to the ultimate of limits. Being among
one of these matches the always-contested main event of the Cascadia Derby
between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.
After a hurtful loss
back in BC Place, the Timbers were ready to outplay and dominate their Cascadia
foes at home in Providence Park. Alongside of trying to end their three game
losing skid, that started in the Canadians venue. Will you call it payback or
getting even, the case was to put an end to odd results.
Not today and
especially in our home, was the statement and great performance seen by a hardened
Timbers squad, determined to net a win and in a very convincing way, something
seen with an inspired initial eleven.
For Timbers Manager
Caleb Porter showing off with a 4-2-3-1 formation that saw the return of Diego
Chara and Ben Zemanski in the starting lineup and despite the absence of Adi,
number 99 Jack Mc Inerney got the starting nod as the lone striker. Defensively,
the Timbers Boss only change in his backfield was in left back with Jermaine
Taylor getting the start up call in place of Chris Klute.
As before the start of
the match, the Timbers Army unveiled a Tifo,
making a reference to an old movie about Mars attack on earth- the Army as
always showing up their ingenuous side with a simple message of dominating the Canadian menace.
Something that the
more than 21, 000 in attendance were in delight of a bacchanal of four beautifully
crafted goals or fest whatever you want to call it. As the local Timbers had an
arsenal under their sleeves coming to this match and with an all-around scoring
frenzy.
By seeing how a sort
of homecoming turned sour for former Timbers defender Pa Moduh Ka, who became a
hero for the PTFC with his two boo- boos, his first one with a tackle inside
the area against Mc Inerney for a PK. Here Diego Valeri did the honors to open
up the score in the fourth minute.
With a reluctant, Jack
Mc Innerney doing his best to impress his Boss after the opportunity of netting
the starting role, he sure did his job all afternoon long, pestering the likes
of the Caps backfield. It was an afternoon for number 99 never letting his
guard down and keeping the posts defended by Caps David Ousted at bay.
Still the work by the
PTFC Boys was not concluded, as the second goal scored by Mc Inerney via a brilliant
pass from Lucas Melano inside the area and taking down the Vancouver defender
Kendall Watson for the 2-0 in the 29th minute. So far, in the last
matches for the Timbers winger Lucas Melano is getting better and better and
his plays are becoming so valuable.
The visiting Caps did
put on a fight and put a couple of goals in the scoreboard in the 49th
with Kekuta Maneh and in the 82nd via a PK from Pedro Morales. Those
scores were not sufficient for Carl Robinson chaps to mount a comeback as the
game was already on the Timbers pockets.
With the match in the
49th after the Canadians, side score, the buck did not stopped for the
locals as their hunger and desire of scoring was evidently, when opportunity
came knocking at their doors. When in a play inside the area courtesy of a handball
in the area and you guess by Pah Moduh. Who despite his teammates protest to
the official, went into his deaf ears.
There we saw an act of
kindness or true camaraderie, when many thought that Diego Valeri was going to
take the PK, he instead opted for giving it to troubled Dairon Aspirilla, his chance
to redeemed himself and converting it into the third score of the match at 3-1.
As the fourth score came via direct shoot via Darlington Nagbe, putting the
icing on the cake and assuring the win.
As the PTFC showed off finally their pedigree
and chivalry, today's win considered a very important one and maybe starts
elevating the levels of optimism for players and Manager alike, going into their
next two compromises. Playing at Chicago and returning home to play the Quakes before
the Copa America break.
For Manager Caleb
Porter hopes are pinned in a winning streak that will start their momentum and
move up the table and above the red line. Seeing a recovery in his backfield,
still they need that match with a clean sheet.
Very well start to play as the defending champions and with a healthy roster, this squad will be one hard to beat and once again working hard in doing the best they do, to win!
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Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of
Portland Timbers Football Club and Craig Mitchelldyer 2016
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Copyright Major League Soccer. com 2016
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