As of last Tuesday night, not only Portland Timbers fans but all of those in the world of the MLS were in pins and needles as the uncertainty of negotiations between the Major League Soccer (MLS) and the MLS Players Union (MLSPU) were taken place.
With the future of MLS Season 2015 at stake, soccer fans across the US were wondering if there would be a game on the official opening night.
To everyone’s relief, Wednesday proved to be the day for discussions to come to a positive end. After reaching a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through the 2019 season we can all plan on MSL game nights.
With that said, let’s talk soccer!
The Portland Timbers are back from a two-week stay in Arizona. With their arrival it seems to be they also brought some of the sunshine and warm temperatures for the greater Portland area.
As a matter of fact the sunshine was a perfect match and combination as the Timbers prepared to face one of their strong contenders Saturday night: Real Salt Lake.
Yes, I said Real Salt Lake! I know that many of the wounds from the last season and their last game remain fresh hence why the Timbers were out to prove that history could not repeat. Not here at home, not under their watch on their opening night.
With a series of troubled circumstances from the 2014 season including injured captain Will Johnson and Diego Valeri out of commission one had to ask: Can the Timbers pull it off?
For any team to start a season with their leading men out placed some cloud on a game night. One thing was for sure though the Timbers weren’t going to hold back.
And after such a positive outcome it’s obvious that coaches, players and fans concentrated on the positive and dismissed the predictions and played their heart out.
Real Salt Lake arrived to Portland Oregon, with a high level of confidence on their side. Unfortunately their game, while strong, was not strong enough for the green and gold of the Timbers’ heart.
The Timbers’ offensive and defensive plays did really well by keeping Real Salt Lake with empty hands and traveling home with that I imagine was a salty taste of a draw instead of the win they thought were had in the bag.
While the draw is a positive start, it’s not a win and they can take RSL’s Rimaldo for that. His innovative skills did it again by halting every scoring attempt by Caleb’s lineup.
A Timber we should really talk about is Adam Kwarasey. He was a pleasant surprise since last Thursday, Oregon Sports News had the opportunity to ask him his thoughts on Real Salt Lake and this is what he shared:
OSN: There is a history with Real Salt Lake. Are you prepared to address it?
Kwarasey: I mean I don’t know too much about Salt Lake and hopefully, I will get to know more after today’s session and tomorrow morning. I just have to be honest I don’t know too much about Salt Lake.
Kwarasey not only did a phenomenal job keeping RSL’s scoring at zero, but he earned a shutout in his debut night! Not too bad for a guy that didn’t know much about his contender wouldn’t you say?
In addition to having the privilege of speaking with Kwarasey, I had the opportunity to have a 1:1 with Timbers’ Defender Jorge Villafaña #19. Jorge’s amazing control of the ball confirmed what we already knew he is here to give Timbers all that he has.
Jorge’s beginnings are at Anaheim High School, where he played as a youth. Subsequently after hearing and watching promotions on TV about a so called “Sueño MLS: Chivas USA Wants You” national competition. Jorge decides to try out. In In his own words, Jorge shares the following:
OSN: Jorge I understand you were part of Sueño MLS competition. What can you tell me about that experience?
Jorge: Well it was great. A great opportunity, but you know I almost didn’t try out.
OSN: Oh really? Why is that?
Jorge: I didn’t think I was going to make it. Let alone win!
OSN: You weren’t going to try out? So what changed your mind? What was the deciding factor for you?
Jorge: It was a last minute decision. I knew I wanted to participate I just didn’t know if I would make it in at all.
OSN: Once you joined: Was there ever a moment you felt you wouldn’t be able to make it to the end?
Jorge: Oh yeah, throughout the whole competition! I mean I wanted to be there but I didn’t think I was going to win. I was never there for the win, I wanted it but it was more about participating so the win for sure was unexpected.
Upon his 2007 win at el Sueño MLS, Jorge joined Chivas USA through the U-19 Team.
At Club Chivas Jorge was a regular in the United States U-20 National Team and early in 2012, he received his first call-up to the U-23 Team Training Camp. With said opportunity he was part of the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament as well.
During his stay at the U-20 team in 2008, Villafaña played more than any other player. Villafaña, played left back and left midfield with Chivas and helped the U.S. qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt that same year.
In 2013, after a stellar period with Chivas USA, Jorge was acquired via trade by the Portland Timbers. During Season 2014 while arriving to the spot light late into the season Jorge managed to score one goal and assist in two. With that history we ask Jorge what his plans are for his second season with the Portland Timbers.
OSN: What’s your plan for Season 2015?
Jorge: I plan to concentrate on a strong defense. Represent the league on and off the field. Maintain a positive chemistry with left and right midfielders.
OSN: What can we expect from Jorge this Saturday against the Real Salt Lake?
Jorge: First time, defend well, help the team and attack sometimes helps if I can. But pretty much my job as a defender is to maintain the goals at zero.
OSN: When you are on defense mode. How does that feel?
Jorge: It feels good, it feels great! That’s my job! If I see the opportunity to help in the attack I do as well.
OSN: How are you feeling about this first game?
Jorge: It’s good. We have a good plan in place and will go into more details today. We are going to start the season in the right path.
OSN: As a player of Mexican descent what would you share with those kids and youth looking up to you who are a similar background?
Jorge: Work hard, never give up on your dreams, anything is possible!
And it is that hard work and the search or should I say in his case living the dream that Saturday night was about. The Portland Timbers had a tough task at hand but not only did they delivered, they proved they have what it takes to win or in this case, make sure the contender goes homes empty handed and that’s exactly what Jorge proved. He, for sure, has left his mark!
With that said, MLS Season 2015 has started and if Saturday night was a glimpse of what the Timbers have in store for us this year, I say we’re on a path to an aggressive and effective strategy that will lead for wins at Providence Park.
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