With two consecutive wins, it looks like the Portland Timbers are back in business. Among one of its most notable of recoveries is in its defense. Therefore, in three games these have surrendered just four goals versus 17 goals received in their previous games with eleven-goal differential.
Somehow, the club is turning a corner and seeing a revival in one of its most difficult areas in the defensive backfield.
As all of a sudden, Timbers manager Giovanni Savarese has found the ideal formula with a number of moves in his backfield. With a change in formations, that started the spark defensibly for the Rose City starting eleven.
For manager Savarese it looks like he hit gold with Jorge Moreira, Zarek Valentin in the corners and Bill Poni Tuiloma along with Larry Mabiala as center backs, the Timbers boss found its ideal foursome.
However to think about the postseason is a little premature but the idea of finding this club identity in its game is starting to take shape and by far has shown it in the past two games with their performance speaking firmly.
In spite of these dominated by Ibra recently and Carlos Vela, somehow the Rose City defense raised to the occasion and stopped the TFC lethal members in its attack in Alejandro Pozuelo.
As the Spaniard in his first year in Toronto, he was their utmost of playmakers.
Still he found in the Portland defense a brick wall as well in his game reduced to a halt and leaving no room to make his usual impact, exposing the resurgence of the Timbers sudden defensive might.
In three matches, the Portland squad has shown a revival in one are that looked the most vulnerable in its defensive game as justice finally given to Bill Tuiloma that since he is in the starting eleven the club has seen a total improvement.
Not only defending zealously but also contributing in the attack and hence his performance with that beauty of a goal that tied the match and now is nominated as goal of the week.
The inclusion of Tuiloma in the defenive backfield has seen the likes of Larry’s Mabiala game getting better as well with Jorge Moreira experience now being a total contributor along with Zarek Valentin playing comfortably in the left side.
Now that opening day is closing, the Portland Timbers with four games left of this long road stand, these have the opportunity to come home with a positive and notable run.
Another question for manager Savarese is if we are to see some young players in his defensive backfield of the likes of Marco Farfan soon in the starting eleven.
To conclude the right moves have paid off for the Portland Timbers manager, with Tuiloma and Moreira suddenly this club backfield is stepping up their game and now ready to front of the remainder of this contested season.
Toronto FC
2018 World Cup
