Once again, the
Portland Timbers have demonstrated how to create opportunities with their
all-around initiative, but in the road there is something that haunts this club
in this campaign. So far, we can state its sheer luck that does not allows them
to finish what they start, despite their all-around fighting spirit, the unfortunate
side is that does not win games.
With a league match
between these two Western Conference foes, the SKC had the upper advantage
playing in front of its faithful at Children’s Mercy Park, whenever these two squads
meet -it promises an afternoon filled with a lot of passion and one of a kind game.
Granting that the PTFC
had two of its defense core out with injuries, still one thing we might consider
is that Manager Caleb Porter is one consummated Cheesmaster, known for his
improvisations in his starting eleven. The Rose City squad Boss sent his
already traditional formation into the field with Amobi Okugo and Jermaine
Taylor getting the nod and accompanied by Alva’s Powell and Zarek Valentin on the
sides.
The PTFC was ready to
offer an exhibition of dynamic and top-notch football over their hosts, very
well seek their first win of the campaign that so far is missing in this season
Timbers records.
We can say this was a
much-leveled match between both squads as the tale of the tape states one club
having the advantage with total shoots in SKC with 11 one more than the visiting
Portland Boys and a total control of the ball with 54% of the time. Being in their
advantage, still the visitors were not a walk in the park with shoots from several
of its starting core.
If at least one of
those made it into the nets of SKC, Alec Kann who had his hands full alongside
his defensive backfield trying to stop the charges and counter attack plays from
the visiting Rose City strikers, something that we can translate as good
fortunes for the Kansas goalie.
Something that the Portland goalie did not had
when that ruinous play when Benny Feilhaber put a volley that Jake Gleeson
could not stop and fell into Jacob Peterson feet for the lone and final score
in the 50th minute. The heroics, saves and efforts displayed by
Gleeson were the tops as he prevented what could be a rout by the locals over
his squad.
Still the PTFC
through Jack Mc Inerney with an opportune kick on a ball that hit the posts on
a clear score, Lucas Melano had the opportunity but his resolve once again was
a bust and his play ended with a pass to Adi.
Very well, Darlington
Nagbe and Faneando Adi had their share of opportunities but the ball did not
made it into its destinies, another was Diego Valeri somehow dominated by the
SKC defense, when he got the ball. The point here is that the Timbers game does
not have to rely on just Diego Valeri to move the ball offensively and Adi to
push it into the opposing goalposts.
There are eleven
players in the field, as Melano is one threat offensively he needs to step up
that courage and valor to finish the
play and not pass to Adi all the time as the Nigerian is becoming too zealously
watched by the opposing defenses. This was a very physical game displayed by both
squads and five yellow cards netted by both squads.
Kudos for the center
backs in Okugo and Taylor who really did the job and for the former Orlando
back, his calls to Caleb’s eleven have been successful and very effective,
making him a strong candidate as a starter. Although the blink the Timbers
defense had- but they did stropped a very furious attack from the SKC.
The outlook defensively
looks very positive, as today's loss makes it two in a row but with the arrival
of former Newcastle defender Steven Taylor alongside Liam Ridgewell and if
Timbers Manager risks putting Okugo and Vitautas in the sides, we may have an impenetrable
wall.
For the offense,
persistence and perseverance are two things they must adopt in the remainder of
this campaign and despite having a busy schedule with CCL, their responsibilities
and determination must not stop and continue playing a very fiery and ambitious
football.
As the road to the postseason
is paved with many obstacles to get to the promised land of the postseason-, it
seems a bit difficult but not impossible for the PTFC chaps, who must step up their
game if they want to make it to these stages as well make some notable wins on
the road.
At the end, the Portland
Timbers from now on their motto should in every match played with the mood of a
final, this squad has it all to make an all-around impact in the remainder of
this campaign, it will not come easy but nothing handed in a golden tray.
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