So far, the lack of
netting a win on the road is haunting the Portland squad and showing off a not
so memorable record of 0-7-6. Very well, as time nears this campaign end- with
just eight matches left, the prospects for the Rose City squad to maintain
itself above the red line- that will enable them to participate in the
postseason are becoming a bit dim.
That hurtful loss at
Century Link is something not conceivable by any of the PTFC followers as well
for players and its Manager alike. As this match was to exorcise those demons
that have prevented the defending champions to post a favorable record as an
away team, something considered of a big deal!
Nothing like of that
Seattle Sounders squad that played on Providence Park and showed no spark and
ambition despite scoring a lone goal and ironically, the payback at Century
Link was with the same score performed by the Timbers as hosts previously.
As the Rave Greens
returned the favor to the Portland Timbers squad with a 3-1 score same one
displayed back at the colossus of Morrison Street- the Sounders looked more
alive and renewed versus a dormant and not so ambitious visiting Timbers squad.
Still the positives
were the Portland defense with former Magpie Steven Taylor making its debut
alongside his compatriot Liam Ridgewell accompanied in the outside by Alvas
Powell and Vytas Andreukesvicious. As always, both Diego’s Chara and Valeri,
making their presence felt throughout the whole ninety minutes but still it was
not enough, as others in the lineup need to step up and contribute.
Still this squad is
nothing as if the one last campaign we saw with a momentum that this squad
showed after running like a freight train over its foes in the postseason all
the way to the league final to net the MLS Shield.
In this campaign, we
saw the opposite from this squad eleven playing in the field at many times
without any brethren among the players and seeing a certain stress and
discontent from some of its players looking to get out.
As we remember the
way, this campaign started all of a sudden with a soap drama between Caleb and
Dairon Aspirilla until this latter one moved on to Colombian side Millonarios. As
Caleb Porter, sees some relief, suddenly the Faneando Adi situation that put in
peril all of the work performed by the Timbers Boss as well its harmony in the
field with its teammates that can derail this club aspirations at the end.
Not now, the Portland
Timbers too exposed to this nonsense and distractions when a mingy point holding
their spot in the postseason and many vultures roaming their rounds of the
likes of San Jose and a renewed Seattle.
This is something to
be concerned.
Where is the hart and
passion Portland Boys, it seems lost, as at times you play wonders and others
you seemed inconsistent and that is one essential ingredient not only to make
it to the grand fete but to defend honorably your hard fought title won last
year.
The remaining matches
are not to be play all eight of them at home exclusively you are to play away
and score a win or two or more, that can uplift your spirits as well defending over-zealously every single one of your matches at home.
This squad needs to
get it together and not only redeemed it selves but overcome the competition
with the starting eleven now this club has, as nothing should stop them now!
Still the outlook if
the tensions in the dressing rooms and in the field can be substituted by
a harmonious tone as this may lead for things to change for the best and this squad
can make their desired run to the league top gathering.
A bold statement of “We
have a chance to redeem ourselves” made very wisely by Timbers Boss Caleb Porter
of what has to come for his PTFC Boys and challenges ahead left in this campaign
if their aspirations are to continue beyond.
Very well making a
party in Portland after the feat is consumed but not only arriving in the postseason
but going all the way up and once again surprise everyone with an encore of a performance
they offered us in last campaign, this squad can and will do it!
With an all around teamwork and unity!
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