Blas Perez and Anthony Manning battle for position during the Simple Invitational. Photo courtesy of Mark Murray.
by Matt Hoffman
The last time Portland hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps, both coaches had reason to feel positive: Carl Robinson’s club escaped the first leg of their playoff series on level terms while Caleb Porter breathed a sigh of relief that the Timbers did not surrender the all important tie-breaker away goal.
Fast forward a few weeks and that same dynamic was in play during the Whitecaps 2-0 win over the Timbers at Providence Park in game four of the six game Simple Invitational Preseason Tournament.
Despite losing to their Cascadia rivals, Porter was upbeat in his post-match remarks commenting, “Even though we lost 2-0, it was positive game.”
“Our goal was to give guys a run,” Porter said remarking that seven Timbers played their first game against MLS opposition.
Jack McInerney went the full 90 on Wednesday with two shots.
Down the hall, Robinson had reason to be ebullient as well. Strikers Octavio Rivero and Blas Perez both appeared on the score sheet. Meanwhile, players like 15-year-old Alphonso Davies and trialist Hudson were both able to get significant minutes.
The Whitecaps proved to be a much sterner test for the Timbers than Minnesota United FC, a team which had had only four practices prior to the Simple Invitational. As expected, Porter fielded a team comprised of players expected to be Timbers subs and T2 signings on Wednesday while his counterpart sprinkled in some new players among five to eight players one would expect reasonably expect Vancouver to put out for the season opener.
“There were a couple moments where we got punished on the defensive side for a few mistakes,” Porter said.
Caleb Porter remark that Ben Polk, the Timbers top pick in the recent MLS SuperDraft, “was solid.”
In addition to holding advantages in shots, passing accuracy and possession, the Whitecaps persisted in the one true statistic: goals. The Timbers struggled mightily with the Whitecaps counter with Perez finishing in the 39th minute and Rivero nearly a half hour of playtime later.
The Timbers will close out the tournament on Saturday against the Chicago Fire. The Fire have remained undefeated in the Simple Invitational, downing Minnesota United prior to the Timbers-Whitecaps fixture.
Unfazed by the result, Porter is looking long term. “We had a lot of chances and there were a lot of young guys that had some positive performances, so I think that’s what you look for. As players, and the coaching staff, that’s what they want to see so it was good to get those guys out in front of the crowd and let them see what it’s all about.”
