Sunday, October 1, 2017

Portland’s needs a more serious and consistent approach in its game



A week ago, it was all joy after staging a rout at home over a hapless Orlando City raising many expectations that the Portland Timbers would finish the campaign on the positive.

However, a week later that was not the case in Avaya Stadium after the visiting Timbers did not stage a prolific first half by a lack of inspiration.

That is when the home squad took advantage of their mishaps and voila, the tables were turned.

Nothing new for the PTFC performances in this campaign, that costed them many wins.

With a match that meant their clinching a spot for the postseason in the western Conference after Vancouver, the Portland squad did not foresee the determination and ambition their hosts displayed all ninety minutes.

After all San Jose is tied in points with Real Salt Lake already above the red line holding the last spot but with a blink of an eye the Silicon Valley Boys can make a big leap.

Coming to this match Portland show some overconfidence that became its doom.

As manager, Caleb Porter by repeating his lineup that delivered a notable and important win a week ago, the Cheesmaster noticeable moves in improvising his lineups after a campaign filled with many of his main players riddled with injuries.

This was the time for him to prepare in what could been a possible initial eleven.

As the postseason is just around the corner and for sure, the Rose City squad already secures its place in the postseason but last night loss, derailed their hopes of seeing a possible bye finishing in second place.

The need of many results towards squads of the likes of SKC, Seattle, Houston Dynamo and even Real Salt Lake and seeing the possibilities open for FC Dallas and San Jose, the battle for the West is very open.

As Caleb Porter stated that despite the mishap this is something to forget and focus on their last two matches in the campaign both at home against DC United and Vancouver, citing these two matches as crucial and most of all-important.

By playing against a squad in the capital Boys DC already eliminated from playoff contention and these can play the hated role of spoilers and not to be taken lightly as well Vancouver already qualified.

The need of taking every match seriously is something that manager Porter needs to institute and consistently put it in the minds of his players if he and his bunch would like to make a decorous run in the postseason.

One of those improvements would have to come when these play as visitors and put on their best game and ambition by playing as a team and not depending on just a single player, teamwork wins matches.

Especially if the squad plays the game with a push and will to win thought out the whole ninety minutes not only half of it. 

Another to find a consistent approach to a much ambitious and top of the line game displaying it in every match as this were played with all the essence of a final as they say there is no such thing than an easy foe.

Still the Portland Timbers need to get rid of their most vulnerable weakness, playing as a visitor were they need to step their game and with courage deliver positive results as you recall that Vancouver game at BC Place.

For this club the need to win regardless the starting eleven is to take every match seriously and not underestimate their foes in league play and especially the playoffs were every minute counts and especially results.

Very well, some players are getting the opportunity as starters, of making every minute count and deliver throughout the whole course of the match as games being play in its entire ninety minutes and not stopping or fighting for your right to win.


Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved

Photos Credit and Property of USA TODAY 2017

Photos Credit and Property of © 2017 Major League Soccer 

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