Defense wins games in Portland’s case is missing from its arsenal

FC Cincinnati 3, Portland Timbers 0

Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

What a match displayed yesterday in Nippert Stadium for the FC Cincinnati first match at home in their MLS debut. With a couple of matches played in this nascent season, the Blue and Orange netted its first win of the season.

By the looks of the squad managed by Alan Koch, yesterday he and his crew made it look too easy. Ask that to a spectacular goal scored by Allan Cruz back heel unmarked and with no option to stop it by Jeff Attinella.

So far, in three matches of the season, the Portland Timbers have a major problem defending its rivals and the proof is the twelve goals these allowed in just three matches.  In spite of the moves in the initial, eleven sent by manager Giovanni Savarese.

Unfortunately, his strategy did not worked for him as the likes of Lucas Melano and Dairon Aspirilla little impact these did offensively well Claude Dielna making his first start and seeing himself being beaten for the FCC first goal.

However not all was lost as Cristhian Paredes showed promise alongside with Bill Tuiloma being the absolute starter in center back after his notable game he displayed, as well praise the work of Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri.

Nevertheless, the Andeans cannot be all the time the Portland Timbers playmakers and scorers, this is a team effort and it is not being seen in these three games.

Still the number of opportunities not taken advantage by Portland with a couple of shots blocked heroically by  Spencer Richey that in the end could made the difference in the game and possible it would end it up as a tie.

Nothing is lost and this result is a wakeup call for the Portland Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese to see a continuance of making some needed moves in his initial eleven and game plan if he would like to come with a positive outlook in the road.

The question comes what about Jorge Moreira, as well Marco Farfan and Modou Jadama where they are and why they are not in the starting eleven.

With the early, score for FCC from a free kick from Leonardo Bertone to a well-placed Kendall Waston beating his marker in Claude Dielna for the first score in the 15’ minute to send the whole of Nippert into frenzy.

In spite of the Portland Timbers having their moments and not taking advantage of the opportunities once again, for Bill Tuiloma and Dairon Aspirilla was the only play that could score but the FCC defense rally to deny the visitors its chances.

 The second and third goal saw a depleted Timbers defense by surrendering two back to back goals in a matter of two minutes time, when Allan Cruz 61’ scored the second goal with his back heel and for Mathieu Depagne sealing the deal in the 63’.

These two goals came with these two players unmarked and left to rise to the occasion, for Portland Timbers next week bye could not come in a better time to meditate and remedy their defensive and offensive game woes.

Time can be on the Portland Timbers side as well net an important result on the road against the LA Galaxy on March 31 at Carson, California, as the Angelinos are somehow having a good season.

 

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