The Portland Timbers lost a very controversial game on the weekend against bitter rivals, the Seattle Sounders. Two questionable calls made by referee Alan Kelly would seal the Timbers’ fate on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at CenturyLink Field. On the day, Obafemi Martins proved to be a nuisance to the Timbers’ defense. He scored a goal and earned his team a debatable penalty kick, which would be converted by captain Brad Evans for the 2-1 Seattle win. Midfielder Jack Jewsbury had the lone goal for the Timbers.
Before derby day, the Timbers recorded 75 percent of their goals coming in the second half of games. Though this sounds like a good thing, there are also consequences to being a second-half team. Both coaches and players alike know that getting the first goal is crucial to their team dictating the flow and speed for the rest of the game. To be fair, we can agree that the Timbers outplayed the Sounders, despite falling behind by two goals before the second half. The shot count was a staggering 20 – 6 in favor of the Timbers. Of the 20 shots, only six were on target and a single goal to show for it. On the other hand, the Sounders tallied six shots all game with three coming on target and two goals. Anything sound familiar yet? Consistently, the Timbers continue to out-shoot their opponents and lead the MLS in total shots (379), but their defending has been very inconsistent for the past few games. They’ve now managed to concede four goals over a two-game stint.
Just over a couple weeks ago, the Timbers defense looked solid after earning a 0-0 road tie against the San Jose Earthquakes, then proceeded to defeating both Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake without conceding a goal. Over those 270 minutes (3 games), the Timbers looked compact and well organized with the experienced Liam Ridgewell and Nat Bouchers anchoring the back four. On Sunday, it was an amateur giveaway from Bouchers that would cost the Timbers the first goal of the game by turning over possession in his own penalty area. Some would make the argument that the absence of Diego Chara and Will Johnson added to the Timbers’ lapse and lack of organization in the back. As true as that might be, let’s not forget that the Sounders were without defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso for most of the game or the creative goal-scorer “Captain America” (Clint Dempsey).
Speaking of goalscorers, the Timbers latest addition, and $5 million dollar signing forward, Lucas Melano, missed two clear chances during the game. A couple weeks ago, he scored a very cheeky goal against Houston, but failed to reproduce the magic on Sunday. It was up to Jewsbury, a defensive-midfielder, to get the Timbers on scoreboard. Moreover, Jewsbury is tied second on the team in goal-scoring with defender Nat Bouchers and forward Maximiliano Urruti with three goals each. Urruti had a good start to the season but has been dormant for some while now and hasn’t really seen much playing time lately. Seems like a reverse of roles; defenders stopped defending and started scoring goals, while the forwards are becoming more laid back and defense minded.
With the playoff race speeding up, the Timbers need to regain focus fast. There was an abundance of good to take away from the game verses Seattle, but “good tries” aren’t enough. When the Timbers outplay teams, they need to punish them and if possible, do so early. So far, what they have been doing is keeping them in playoff contention. If scoring in the second half of games works for them, might as well keep on doing it. Once the playoff race is over, a brand new chapter starts for each team and I hope that the Timbers will be there.
The good news is that the team has been consistent scoring in the second half of games. On the other hand, they have been inconsistent with their approach to defending.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
