What a season the Portland Timbers had in this 2022! When the moment of truth came, that was when suddenly everything collapsed for the Rose City side in their last game of the season falling prey to a to a motivated, resilient, and outstanding Real Salt Lake squad.
Once again, the team lacked a finisher and with Felipe Mora out for the season. I must state about Sebastian Blanco not delivering as we are accustomed to his heroics as well as Larrys Mabiala showing signs of age.
In addition of players like Jaroslaw Niezgoda not fulfilling his role and just scoring nine goals and missing a number of clear opportunities and with the possibility of scoring 15 goals or maybe more, I don’t see him returning to the team next season.
If Eryk Williamson is healthy in the course of the 2023 season, I see the man delivering memorable afternoons and maybe his European dream can become into reality, but not before he contributes enormously for the Timbers.
Santiago Moreno has become an indisputable starter ever since his arrival at Rose City as well the promising future that Juan David Mosquera has ahead.
What can we say about Mister Timber Diego Chara the big absentee on last Sunday’s game against RSL, as the men in every season is not slowing down but delivering amazing games, but he cannot do it alone.
It was a season of many highs and lows but with many lows in the end!
In the start of the season, Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese delivered some memorable moments by putting his traditional 4-2-3-1 formation on the pitch, but in the end couldn’t see results with a lack of possession.
As Gio shuffled with a couple of formations with a 5-4-1 and later becoming a 3-4-3 and finishing with one that became successful that 3-4-3 with Zac McGraw, Dario Zuparic, and Bill Tuiloma in the backfield as well Dairon Aspirilla seeing his efforts pay off in the end and finishing with ten goals for the season.
Despite having a slow start, Dairon has become lethal on set pieces in the Timbers attack as well being a regular starter and ending on a high note, but seeing his efforts come short after seeing his team’s elimination on Decision Day by a driven Real Salt Lake.
Many state defense wins games as well this team needs to address the issue of playing its games for the entirety of the ninety minutes.
The lowlight of the season was the expectations that forwards Nathan Fogaca and Jaroslaw Niezgoda would lead the way in attack, but were disappointing this season, with Niezgoda scoring nine goals and Fogaca just scoring two. As you recall in that game against SKC where he scored a brace, but with 404 minutes played the man never scored again.
Defense
Another lowlight comes from Josecarlos Van Rankin whom became relegated to the bench after a number of inconsistencies in his defensive game alongside Larrys Mabiala as father time is catching up with him.
For Dario Zuparic and Bill Tuiloma, the latter is in need of more consistency in his game and give his best on the field. Pablo Bonilla is not even showing signs of fight to become a starter and in the few games he participated as the man simply didn’t perform!
Justin Rasmussen, is a natural center back and not a fullback as the need to get in his natural position somehow can start getting more comfortable and confident. Let’s talk about Sivert Haugli, another draftee of Portland and currently on loan with Phoenix Rising, and considered as another potential prospect.
On the defensive midfield, with Eryk Williamson being so prone to injuries ever since he got hurt in that game against Seattle last season, the man when is healthy can deliver outstanding games, but he needs to be healthy.
Unfortunately, the hype of David Ayala was just that as the man had negative numbers as well for his team posting 0 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws with 20 goals allowed. Don’t get your hopes up for him to inherit Diego Chara’s spot.
For Cristhian Paredes, another player constantly in the injured list as well for George Fochive with just 30 minutes and two games played, Fochive saw little action and was unable to produce.
Lastly, Diego Chara appears to get better with every season. In his starts he contributed to a very solid performance with 11 wins, 6 losses and 9 draws with just 33 goals conceded.
Goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic was a revelation taking the challenge and performing under the arches in every game getting his confidence boosted alongside with 32 matches played and 6 clean sheets along 112 saves.
End of Part I
Portland Timbers
