Portland Timbers Ride Adi To Massive Win

Just when you think you are out, the Portland Timbers find a way to pull you back in.

The Timbers were winless in the previous four games, including an embarrassing home loss just last week to New York. The alarms were being sounded: Portland was out of sorts, the rest of the Western Conference was closing in fast, and a daunting cross-country trip to play the red-hot Columbus Crew was on tap.

So naturally, Portland goes out and puts up one of their most impressive team performances of the year to earn a massive 2-1 victory and a critical three points.

Most everything that had been frustrating Coach Caleb Porter and Timbers fans alike finally resolved itself, at least for one night. Portland finally scored in the first half; Darlington Nagbe took the ball in space and consistently created dangerous chances; Diego Valeri was allowed to flow freely and orchestrate the offense, rather than being forced to manufacture every chance; Rodney Wallace, inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in four games, was full of energy and focus, and created numerous chances including setting up Portland’s second goal.

But the man of the match has to be striker Fanendo Adi, who scored both Timbers goals and was a constant presence throughout the match, frustrating and occupying multiple Columbus defenders and opening opportunities for teammates. After being singled out last week by Porter for his lack of finishing and being benched in favor of Max Uruuti, Adi looked like a man on a mission against Columbus. His second goal in particular came from the bombing type of run and quality finish that has been mostly lacking in his game thus far this season.

Adi embracing his role as the target striker and providing the hold up play Portland is desperate for is absolutely vital if the Timbers hope to make a run at the MLS Cup this season. While I personally have been very critical of Adi at times this season, I will also be the first to admit that his overall game and effort level has seen a marked improvement since the August 30^th loss to Seattle, where Adi absolutely gave the Seattle defenders fits. While Porter’s comments about Adi’s lack of finishing were not incorrect, they also ignored Adi’s other contributions, which were on full display Saturday evening against Columbus.

When Adi is at the top of his game, he not only provides hold up play and a huge target up front, he fundamentally alters what the Timbers are capable of stylistically. Coach Porter unleashed a high-pressure defense Saturday, utilizing his midfield in a highly aggressive manner to quickly turn over the opponent and immediately look to break. Adi played the target role to perfection, earning numerous fouls and opening space that allowed the Timbers to consistently  break out effectively and turn those breakouts into dangerous chances, often with Adi as the target.

Interestingly, this high-pressure style was a hallmark of the Timbers in 2013 during their magical season and playoff run, but has been conspicuously absent throughout most of the past two seasons. Should the Timbers commit to this aggressive style and Adi continue his impressive run of play, Portland might not only earn their way into the playoffs, but may even earn a home game or even a first-round bye.

While this victory against Columbus was indeed a massive result for Portland, they are by no means out of the woods in the Western Conference. Exactly five points separate second place Vancouver and seventh place San Jose. Second place earns you a bye to the conference semifinals; seventh place misses out on the playoffs entirely.

Portland has four games remaining in the regular season, all against Western Conference foes. Two come at Providence Park against Sporting Kansas City (currently 5^th place) and Colorado Rapids (currently 10^th place). These home dates bookend a two-game road trip to first-place Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, who currently sit in 9^th place but are still only six points short of the Timbers.

There is still a great deal of work to be done before the Timbers punch their ticket to the playoffs, but the road became far less treacherous thanks to Saturday’s result. Next up, a home date with Sporting Kansas City next Saturday, October 3^rd, at 7:30 PM.