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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment