The Portland Timbers began their 2016 campaign exactly like they finished 2015: by defeating the Columbus Crew, 2-1. Unlike the December meeting however, a championship was not on the line. Regardless, Portland still has to feel good about beginning their season on a winning note, and Caleb Porter is finally able to claim his first March victory as a MLS coach.
Diego Valeri opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, scoring off a direct free kick that slipped through a crowd. Frederico Higuain equalized on a ridiculous bicycle kick in the 68th minute that forced the Timbers back on their heels, with Columbus pressing for a second. But after withstanding the Crew’s pressure, Dairon Asprilla rocked a shot off goalkeeper Steve Clark in the 79th minute that bounced right to Fanendo Adi, who tapped it in for his first goal of 2016. Higuain nearly equalized off a side-legged half volley just a few minutes later, but the North End goalpost proved magic again for Adam Kwarasey, and the ball bounced harmlessly away from the beaten goalkeeper. Portland was then able to salt away the remainder of the game to earn victory number one in 2016.
A few observations from the game as Portland begins their championship defense:
Darlington Nagbe did not have a great game … but still had a major impact
All the talk surrounding Nagbe entering this year was the position switch that sparked the title run, and whether he could continue the torrid pace he ended 2015 with. However, Nagbe was not the overwhelming presence against Columbus that many predicted he would be. But his presence, while not obvious, was felt all over the field.
Valeri, who was probably Man of the Match, had more space and time to operate because Columbus could not focus on closing him down without opening up lanes for Nagbe. Asprilla also found himself in acres of space time and again, which was often a direct result of the focus Columbus had to give the middle of the field with Nagbe and Valeri constantly threatening with their movement and vision.
While Nagbe wasn’t the obvious, overwhelming presence he ended 2015 as, make no mistake: his ability to draw attention and open space for teammates was critical for Portland and will continue to be as the season progresses.
Asprilla and Lucas Melano are going to have many, many goalscoring opportunities in 2016
The attacking triangle of Nagbe, Valeri and Adi simply collapses a defense. Defenders must constantly keep one eye on the middle, and central midfielders and defenders absolutely cannot leave to help on the wings, for fear of leaving Adi or Valeri one-on-one within shooting range. All of this leads to what we saw against Columbus; Asprilla and Melano constantly in dangerous positions with the ball at their feet. In fact, as Taylor Twellman pointed out on the ESPN broadcast, Asprilla easily could have ended the game with two goals and two assists, with the number and quality of opportunities he was getting. So long as Nagbe, Valeri and Adi are healthy and fit, Asprilla and Melano will have plenty of chances at goal in 2016.
Portland really misses Jorge Villafana and (to a lesser extent) Rodney Wallace
The two big departures for Portland this offseason were badly missed against Columbus, particularly Villafana. Recently signed center back Jermaine Taylor was forced to cover Villafana’s vacated left back position, and did so on the defensive side well enough. But it was Villafana’s work rate and ability to get forward that made him so integral to Portland last season, and it was those overlapping runs that Taylor simply could not provide, out of fear of being burned by speedier wingers. If Taylor or Ridgewell is forced to play longer-term at left back, the Timbers will suffer on the offensive end.
Not quite as obvious was the absence of Wallace. But Portland absolutely missed the two-way play and work rate of the Costa Rican. While Asprilla and Melano are probably both more talented offensively than Wallace, neither possesses his ability to track back and provide support against dangerous wing players such as Ethan Finley. The lack of depth was also felt, as last year either Melano or Asprilla was available to provide a late-game spark off the bench that was missing for Caleb Porter against Columbus.
Caleb Porter’s transition from “Porterball” to the king of pragmatism is complete
When Caleb Porter was first hired from Akron in 2013, he brought with him a possession-oriented approach that emphasized short passes and build up play. Portland applied that approach and found success early on, but it wasn’t until Porter truly embraced a pragmatic, results-oriented approach that Portland was able to push to a title. Against Columbus, Portland held only 38% of the possession: a number that would have caused the 2013 Porter to break out in sweats, but ended up being plenty considering the counter-attacking game plan put in place. In his heart of hearts, Porter would probably prefer to run the short pass, possession approach. But Porter loves winning more than he loves his system, and knows that getting Valeri, Adi, Melano, Asprilla and Nagbe running in open spaces at a retreating opponent gives Portland its best opportunity to win.
Portland’s ability to win in different ways will prove critical this season
Speaking of pragmatic, this 2016 Portland Timbers squad is practically a living embodiment of the term. This is a team that can beat you 1-0, 2-1, or 5-4. They can win through possession and intricate passing (seriously, go back and watch the 1-2 passing between Valeri and Adi in the box in the first half), or they can win with 38% possession and creating chances on the counter attack. Coach Porter and GM Gavin Wilkinson have assembled a versatile squad that is equally comfortable no matter the pace or opponent. That versatility will prove key in navigating a long and grueling MLS schedule when you see such different teams and play styles.
Columbus is a good team, and this was a good win for Portland to open the season. The Timbers must now take the show on the road as they travel to San Jose next Sunday to face an Earthquakes squad that also won their opener and will be looking to make a statement to the rest of the Western Conference at the expense of the defending champions.
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