Portland Timbers Taking It In Stride

Coming off a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake, critics quickly looked to critique the Timbers strategy late Saturday night.  With the Timbers out to an early lead, Real Salt Lake, the team that leads the MLS Western Conference seemed stunned, intimidated even, by the Timbers’ fresh unrivaled offense.  Darlington Nagbe and Eric Alexander seemed to perfect soccer offensive communication with flawless passing and scoring.

While RSL was able to close out the Timbers, the win was absolutely in favor of the Timbers.  Watching the Timbers on offense, it is close to impossible to rank this loss as a disappointment.  With sophomore Nagbe scoring twice during play, it was difficult for any RSL to defend him.  Nagbe has quickly chosen his role on the Timbers to be pivotal on offense.  He quickly glides from holding down mid-field defense to running vital calls at the forward position.  With a close to unstoppable kick and impeccable dribbling skills, Nagbe proves to be that key of confidence that the Timbers need this 2012 season.

As I watched RSL defeat the Timbers, it sure did not feel like a loss. It felt more like a bit of luck was given to RSL late in the game.  Head coach John Spencer added while it was a loss, the Timbers have many positive elements to take away from the game.  With Spencer’s “attack early” mentality, he argued, “they (RSL) struggled to cope with us for most of the game.”  I could not have agreed more with Spencer. Watching the Timbers on offense is a like new exciting game of soccer in itself.  Combine Alexander’s versatile passing skills, Nagbe’s consistent shots on goal and newly healed mid-fielder Kalif Alhassan to game, the Timbers offense is destined to take the MLS by a storm.

With the season young, I am thoroughly impressed with Timbers play thus far.  Sure we are starting the season with a 1-2-1 record, but something was very apparent on Saturday night’s game. RLS was scared, and rightly so. The Timbers are quickly heating up MLS play. With the highly anticipated game against Chivas USA this Saturday, the Timbers have their work laid out in front of them.  With the defensively focused Chivas USA, come the Timbers balancing out the game on offense.  We are in for a treat this weekend, rain or shine! Game is scheduled for 7:30PM at JELD-WEN Field.