A draw with all the
essence of a win that was the result yesterday in Seattle, not only for one
squad but for both in the always contested Cascadia Derby between the Portland
Timbers and Seattle Sounders.
Dubbed as rivalry
week in MLS circles, the Cascadia Derby is the one that catches all the
attention of many soccer oenophiles in the US due its intensity and all around
contest between these Pacific Northwest squads.
The continuance of
Liam Ridgewell in the DL along with Jake Gleeson and Faneando Adi and occasionally
the suspensions of a player or two in this time was David Guzman, leaving a big
hole in the defensive backfield.
In this match, we saw
the many improvements from the Portland squad, suddenly showing off by overpowering
its opponents, despite having some notable absences in its initial eleven.
As we may state that,
finally this squad is showing off a consistency in its game.
Kudos to the
Cheesmaster Caleb Porter making his trademark moves in his initial eleven and
making the best of it, under the circumstances, he is seeing once again how his
squad delivered a wondrous match, especially in both halves but the second being
as the amazing one.
All of sudden the
backfield being the Achilles heel of the PTFC, all of a sudden is delivering
and with a foursome in Roy Miller, Larry Mabbiala’s, Vytas and Zarek Valentin
and not forgetting Lawrence Olum too.
Alongside my caps off
to keeper Jeff Attinella rising to the occasion lately since filling for Jake
Gleeson.
I mean a gem of a
game and denying the Seattle big guns, all sort of liberties to put this game
away as their shooting opportunities became null, and this seen as a notable improvement
in these area.
Very well the Timbers
playing as a visitor its football upgraded a lot and yesterday and showing off
a teamwork lost in the midst of the campaign with pure determination and hunger
shown in their past three matches.
Coming to their house
of horrors in Century Link Stadium, the leadership of this initial eleven
playing in unison after they neutralized the momentum of the Seattle squad and
these had to the share of points.
By complementing a
comeback after that early 18 minute by the Rave Greens Cristian Roldan but
somehow Portland is starting to fight back and with penalty kick performed by their
talisman, Diego Valeri the game was tie at halftime.
Yes, this ended up at
a tie but this goal that Valeri converted, at the end became the nemesis of the
local Sounders that after the second half these were not themselves and stopped
coldly by Portland stingy defenses.
Offensively everyone
is stepping out and defensively the PTFC is making honor to its moniker of
almighty with its last display of performances and delivering in the clutch
when needed, the idea in the remaining six matches of this campaign.
The ultimate of
achievements are to seal the deal and with first thing’s first, one by qualifying
to the next stage the postseason and maybe there perform a magical run like
that 2015 when they achieve the ultimate of feats.
Overall every player
in the Portland Timbers initial eleven, is contributing to this squad all
around revival and delivering a one of a kind run but after the break the
return to action and with a couple of away games.
One in Yankee Stadium
and face off a tough NYCFC and to Rio Tinto and try to avenge the humiliating
loss in Providence Park by the RSL, that these can be playing a sort of spoiler
to the PTFC aspirations and return home to face off a tough Orlando.
At the end this draw is like a win, but foremost my salute to all of those diehard PTFC fans making the trip to Seattle and not leaving their Timbers alone to play in Emerald City, these were the biggest winners.
At the end this draw is like a win, but foremost my salute to all of those diehard PTFC fans making the trip to Seattle and not leaving their Timbers alone to play in Emerald City, these were the biggest winners.
This will be another
test for the Rose City squad seeing a momentum like no other and displaying a
top of the line game that can seal the deal in the final stretch of league play.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of
Portland Timbers Football Club 2017
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Major League Soccer
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