Unbelievable, the way
things are turning up for the Portland Timbers lately, for more efforts put on
by its players, their luck on road games persist for the worst and now becomes
a huge burden for their postseason aims.
One thing leads to
another, as the PTFC once enjoyed a lead above the red line from seven to six points
at one time over San Jose and Seattle, these being so close in the chase.
Lately for the Rave
Greens their luck has taken a twist for the better and despite not having Deuce
in its lineup for the rest of the campaign, they are now above the Portland Timbers
in the Western Conference by an average differential.
How did the PTFC lead
turned up to be a trailing squad and maybe with Sunday’s match in the Cascadia
Derby when Seattle plays against Vancouver, we know for sure who will the Rose
City folks will be cheering for sure, the Canadians.
Still I thought that
win in CCL in San Miguel over CD Dragon, the road woes did hit their rock
bottom and ended for the Timbers, and the trip to Commerce City, Colorado would
been a W.
Could been the one that would deliver that elusive road win and give
a lead temporarily and awaiting results for Sundays Derby.
The possibilities for
the Portland on the verge of clinching, a postseason spot squad, deposited on
those two road games against their Western Division foes in Houston and
Colorado.
Timbers
talisman Diego Valeri and today at Colorado, the Andean once again his presence
was felt with a couple of shoots that could been the difference maker.
The difference were
the post and Tim Howard who refused Valeri’s shoot, despite El Che being so
elusive and at times free inside the area, but once again that luck haunted his squad in this and many of its road matches.
Complicated indeed,
but not the end off course as anything can happen and for Portland with a
couple of matches left in the campaign, one will be at home were the PTFC is
somehow strong and their turn to show their Rocky Mountain foes their wrath of Providence
Park.
As this campaign for
the defending champions as expected became a bit challenging and difficult,
were it exposed many weaknesses in several of its initial eleven, giving a headache
for the Timbers Manager.
The best part and
overall praise is for Caleb Porter, his amazing job at the helm of the PTFC, despite
the oddities in this strange campaign, still he, the Boys prevailed, and this
fight is not over for him and his Timbers.
Very well to the club
owner Merritt Paulson being so attentive and opening up his wallet to net
important players to Portland and try a turnaround this campaign for the best, maybe a
little too late, still kudos for these two individuals.
The prospect of
Portland not making the playoffs after those afternoons at home or even on the road
were they rescued three points, will be cruel if this squad misses the grand
fete of the postseason because of its odd luck.
At the end this will
be a lesson if this squad and with more reason for next campaign to make it
into a formidable one and make it into a winning club that can wipe its foes
away at home or in the road.
This is not over and
maybe the Cheesmaster Caleb Porter can surprise everyone at Rose City with a trick
under his sleeve and with some of the PTFC foes like SKC and Seattle tumble,
the Timbers can assure that postseason spot.
The postseason ticket
will be a feat like no other and a shoot in the arm of optimism and if the Portland
squad misses, the playoffs will be upon that dam luck that never came when
needed.
It is not over yet!
Because two matches are
left one at home where the PTFC is much stronger in this campaign as well
confident and an away match at Vancouver were this time it may lady luck wink
at the Timbers and that elusive win on the road finally is delivered.
At the end the road
to the postseason is far from over and do not discount this squad out of the grand
fete which they belong and with no doubt they will be present, believe!
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Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property
of © Marc Kostic and Craig Mitchelldyer 2016
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Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer. com
2016
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