My, how the month of May has flown by in Portland Oregon. While the gray skies still seem to linger in these early weeks of June, the shouts of summer are right around the corner… and this means playoff time for soccer. With the Portland Timbers in the middle of their season, the team is assessing what needs to be altered to change their seventh place position in the Western Conference. Now is the time for the Timbers.
The Timbers last game against club Cal FC came to a close in overtime with a 1-0 loss. Once again, it was the Timbers offense that seemed to fail. With over 30 shots on goal, each shot missed the back of the net.
With only 16 points this season, the Timbers are looking towards the next weeks of play to prove their position in the playoffs. Each Timbers game this season has ended with a bitter taste in my mouth. While it has been somewhat of a disappointing season, the Timbers have made many positive steps.
While the Timbers offense has been a little quiet, All-Star Kris Boyd has proven himself as a leader on and off the field. Defensively speaking, defender Jack Jewsbury provides quick stability. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins recently took his skills to the next level and received Save of the Week honors.
It isn’t a question of whether the Timbers are playing with heart. They are taking shots on goal, playing aggressively and creating opportunities on offense; yet they are lacking execution. Like Timbers fans, head coach John Spencer expressed his frustration of his teams’ loss to CAL FC. With the Timbers struggling to gain points this season, Spencer stated that missed shots on goal are missed opportunities. “Teams punish you and they (Cal FC) punished us,” he said.
The Timbers are lacking strength up front. The Timbers’ offensive line was strengthened as the coaches put five men up front, hoping to ignite an offensive fire against Cal FC. While offensive play was indeed more aggressive, no points were gained.
The match against the Vancouver Whitecaps was critical, with the Timbers only four points outside the playoffs. Yet once again, the Timbers did not execute. Our offense failed.
So what is next for the Timbers? With an almost two week break, I am expecting to see the Timbers come off fresh against the LA Galaxy. As we saw in the match-up against Cal FC, the Timbers’ offense has the ability to create shots on goal. We maintain arguably one of the best defenses in the MLS, and one powerful goalkeeper. Though we must look forward on offense.
The Timbers need that offensive boost of confidence… a few positive defining moments on offense. I feel confident about this much-needed break for the Timbers. It is coming at the perfect time.
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