Kudos to a one of a
kind Portland Timbers front office that went into the task of building an
all-around contender to front in what looks a contested 2017.
What a way to open
the a season that many see its high levels of competition written all over in
league play and especially the Western Conference.
The Portland Timbers,
welcomed the likes of newcomers Minnesota United, coming to town and its
faithful legion of 150 followers, showing off great spirits leaded by their
Capos Nicolas and JR, leading the Great Lakes faithful in the stands.
At the end, not even
their supporter’s chants and support draw the Loons out of a night of were they
got their first experience of how things finished in MLS.
Still this was to be
an all-around evening for the Portland Timbers, after these displaying a new game
and sporting new faces in its initial eleven and its roster.
Hardened is the way
to describe this new group of individuals looking forward with its veterans and
newcomers to make all sorts of headlines, after displaying a new game and new dynamic
that can carry this squad in top of its conference.
The backfield we had
the familiar faces in the outside with Vytas and Alvas Powell playing the
winger options and the center encompassed a couple of experienced chaps in Liam
Ridgewell and newcomer Lawrence Olum.
As the Kenyan was
very adamant all evening long of not giving any liberties to the Loons strikers
and its offensive attack, another major step was to be seen, as Olum became the author of scoring the
opening goal in the 14 minute with a simple touch for the 1-0.
With the lead, the
home team was enjoying a total dominance of the match and with some
opportunities in the PTFC backfield by the United squad, the Timbers defense
stepped up and stopped cold in its tracks the visitors attack.
Another positive was
the way the Timbers squad played all evening long with defiance and a drive not
seen in last campaign, this in part of putting on a show courtesy of its new
faces that so far are injecting a new dynamic into this squad.
With David Guzman and
Sebastian Blanco in the attack, the Timbers midfield got an upgrade and seeing
how their newcomers are to give the Rose City squad a new energy in its attack.
The chivalry and push
these two showed off in front of their new fans and giving them new reasons of
dreaming a of another MLS Cup and other trophies.
As both of them
proved their talent and wisdom to be very valuable for the Timbers attack in
defense, Guzman was playing the role of spoiler all evening long to the Minnesota
attackers as the Costa Rican did not allowed them any liberties.
On Blanco side his persistence and courageous
plays, made a whole lot of difference in the front al attack of the Timbers, as
he alongside Nagbe and Valeri have a 1-2-3 in the frontal attack of the PTFC, uplifting
the attack.
I mean after Olum first
goal, the Timbers sort of conservative play in the first half despite seeing in
the 30th minute intent by Adi by an error committed by the visitor’s
defense and Adi capitalized and unfortunately for Valeri his final touch could
not come.
No problem as the
second half started right with the usual Adi starting his havoc on opposing defenses,
the play started with Powell in right side passing to him and he sending it to
Sebastian Blanco who centered the ball for Valeri to finish and give a 2-0 lead.
Still don’t count out
the visitors as Christian Ramirez took advantage of a Olum and Ridgewell moment
and these two being catch by surprise, the Loons had a goal in the 78 and the
score in favor of the locals by just one goal.
The only problem the
PTFC showed off its might and in the 81 minute a pass to Adi in the area, comes
to an abrupt push from the visitors defender Vadim Demidov that opened the door
to a Valeri goal via a penal and the 3-1 to a delirious Providence Park.
As Diego double in
the evening was going to seal the deal, it is when Faneando Adi show started his
chivalry in the front with a bang and in injury time with the clock in the 91
minute its when the big guy played his magic taking the goalie and two
defenders for the 4-1.
No later once again
Adiii, made his presence felt in the left side and with a solid volley sentenced
the match to a 5-1 and earning himself a double and sentencing the match to a
5-1 final tally.
At the end the new
Timbers squad is filled with plenty of new magic and enthusiasm not seem from
its players since 2015, still that is the past and lets bury it and ow focus in
the present and see how will they exorcise their road woes.
Playing at always difficult
and tough to perform Stub Hub Center in Carson, California and play the always
tough to beat LA Galaxy, the PTFC can break another bad spell in netting its
first win away and starting something.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Crest Credit and Property of
Portland Timbers Football Club and Craig Mitchelldyer 2017
Photos Credit and Property of © 2017
Major League Soccer
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