The Portland Timbers defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 at Providence Park on Friday evening, on the strength of a Fanendo Adi goal (his 10th of the season) coming from an assist by Diego Valeri in the 48th minute and the 10th shutout of the season posted by goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and the Portland back line.
Unfortunately, despite earning the full three points, this was far from the Timbers’ best performance of the season. Chicago had a number of chances throughout the game, including one where Kwarasey simply passed the ball right to a Chicago forward who, luckily for Portland, could not muster much of a shot as he was so surprised. Chicago winger Harrison Shipp was a terror throughout the entire game, constantly opening lanes and creating chances that were only saved by Chicago’s constant lack of finishing.
Meanwhile, Portland’s attack failed to muster multiple goals for the sixth consecutive game. Between a lack of finishing quality, poor vision, and a failure to utilize space, the Timbers’ offensive issues were all neatly wrapped up in a single frustrating match for Coach Caleb Porter and the team’s supporters. While Adi was once again the worst and most obvious culprit, he was far from alone in his struggles. Valeri, Rodney Wallace, Darlington Nagbe, Lucas Melano and even Will Johnson (who had an otherwise outstanding match) all had moments of poor decision making and/or horrible finishing.
Even after the victory, Coach Porter acknowledged the offensive struggles: “I thought the second goal was definitely in there with the chances we had…I think there are still some things we need to work out in the attack.” Less than enthusiastic comments after a victory, to be sure.
What must be truly frustrating for Porter as well as the Timbers faithful is that the squad so obviously does not lack in talent or ability. With just one extra pass, one better touch, or a better shot, Portland could have had three, four, or even five goals in the game. On three separate occasions throughout the game, Nagbe alone worked himself into a position where, with one extra pass from a teammate, he would have been in on the the Chicago goal with only the keeper to beat.
But that pass never came, and it is that pass that has been missing from the Portland attack all season long. It’s the pass that currently separates the attacks of the Los Angeles Galaxy, (a fully-healthy) Seattle Sounders, or Toronto FC from Portland, and the rest of Major League Soccer. When the Timbers are able to consistently find that pass or finish that shot, they can and will be considered real threats to win the league.
Inserting Melano into the starting lineup once he reaches full fitness will certainly add a new dimension to the attack with his absolutely blistering speed, but he will not be the answer to every question the Timbers have in the attack. Melano could make runs all over the field; in fact, that’s probably Porter’s dream for him, and what he has shown thus far in his appearances as a substitute.
But if the rest of Portland’s attack aren’t looking to make the pass that beats the defense, Melano’s speed and vision will go for naught. Until Valeri regains some of his form from the previous two seasons and Adi looks to do anything but shoot when receiving the ball in or near the box, Melano and Nagbe will remain the unused keys to unlocking the true potential of the Timbers’ attack.
Frankly, that Portland are currently fifth (and in a playoff position) in the incredibly deep Western Conference despite being the second-lowest scoring team in the entire league on a goals-per-game basis is a testament to just how good the defense has been and how lucky the Timbers have found themselves at times this year. But Portland will not be able to rely on luck to get them into the playoffs; it will take scoring goals and maintaining a high level of defense. Whether Coach Porter and the Timbers are able to find that elusive chemistry and form in the attack will determine whether this season goes down as a missed opportunity or as something special.
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