Last Friday in GasTown the Portland Timbers were abruptly brought to reality by a defiant Vancouver Whitecaps squad. I mean these Vancouver side put on a defensive shield against these Portland Timbers.
By displaying a defensive lock on the Timbers attacking game and not giving them any spaces to the Portland Timbers top play-makers and spite of the opportunities. A whopping 27 shots on goal but with five direct tries, for the Timbers with a couple of goals they would been happy.
Still the Portland squad is one that odes not lack fight or determination but the need of impelementing any room for error is imperative and that first goal cost them their streak with perfection.
Anyway nothing is lost but just a single match but in a rivalry that so far three is the given number of times the Caps have dominated them and now focus in whats next and to come.
Whenever the Portland Timbers get a defensive game impose on them by their opponents these are somehow locked offensively and at times these are against a goal filled with a brick wall.
However the arrival of Brian Fernandez is the answer to these days that the Portland offensive game is important but the experience is one learning experience and something to work hard to become better.
Forget that Friday match in BC Place as this season is not over yet and the way this team this playing lately indeed, it looks promising and with a lot to show off the way this squad is playing lately.
For the Portland Timbers from now on their mentality is with no room for errors!
My conclusion is to see more creativity from the Portland Timbers play-makers when the going gets tough easily said than done but with their experience and the new man. I must say the Portland attack will have a full Andean touch accompanied by a boost.
The way to improvise in tough situations is a must, as the way their manager is somehow a man that enjoy making all sorts of bold moves and this should be embraced by the Portland gurus.
Teamwork is something not lacking in these Timbers and on tier alst match these were very frustrated in spite of their efforts in the end its time to move on.
Two matches to go on the road and now I cannot wait for June first at home.
Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers
