The first five games of the season have been less than stellar for the Portland Timbers. A miraculous last second goal in the home opener saved the Timbers from losing a regular season game in Portland for the first time since March, 9 2013. They followed up the opening draw with another shaky performance that saw them lucky to pull even in the 79th minute and salvage a point. Next came two ugly road losses marred by penalty kicks and red cards. Going back home to face Seattle without a win was a scary prospect, and not where this team expected to be.
Last Saturday’s match against Seattle sparked the Timbers’ offense into a season high four goals, and it looked like a sure win. Everything was right with the world. Until the wheels fell off with five minutes to play. The saddest moment for me was when the Timbers Army fell silent, and I heard nothing but chants from Sounders fans through the TV. Some of the most heartbreaking minutes of soccer I have ever seen. That kind of result against any team would have been disappointing and frustrating. For it to happen against Seattle makes it revolting. Add in just how badly this team needed a win and it makes it the worst draw ever.
The match was at least encouraging because the offense scored goals, but they weren’t the right kind of goals. Diego Chara had two goals in his entire career before his outburst against Seattle, doubling his career total. The chances he got are not likely to appear again. The fourth goal scored by Max Urruti was absolutely beautiful to watch, but breakaway goals off of turnovers such as that are rare and can’t be relied on. We want more goals like the one Diego Valeri scored. A goal scored in the box and off of good passing.
It is difficult to pinpoint where the problems are with this team. Perhaps it is the pressure of expectations coming off the success of last season. Sometimes I see players being too patient with the ball, sometimes not patient enough. I have seen a few shot attempts simply glance off a player’s foot because they didn’t take the time to get set properly, a sign of a team that is pressing.
Darlington Nagbe has been fouled a whopping 20 times in five games, an astonishing rate. He was fouled 98 times in 38 games last season, including playoffs. If it continues at that pace he will be fouled 136 times by season’s end. The referees need to see this and make a better effort to protect a player who is being targeted. Every time he gets by someone and sees some open field he gets blatantly taken down. So far it has been an effective strategy for opposing teams. Nagbe has been limited to one assist and one shot on goal, but he has been making his presence felt, unlike Captain Will Johnson.
To me Johnson was completely missing in action during the Seattle game. I can’t recall any significant play he was involved in, which is so uncharacteristic. I am accustomed to Johnson being around the ball and being an emotional leader, but that is exactly what I didn’t see in the most important game of this young season. Johnson needs to make an impact for this Timbers squad to succeed.
In my mind Saturday’s game against Chivas USA is a must win. Chivas is a historically bad team, not finishing higher than 8th in the Western Conference since 2009. A team that the Timbers usually dominate. It is still early in the season, but with two difficult road matches against Houston and Salt Lake following Chivas, a loss or a draw could potentially leave Portland without a win for two whole months.
If this Timbers team is truly a contender for the MLS Cup, this match is one they simply have to win.
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