PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 8, 2018: The Portland Timbers new coach Giovanni Savarese presentation (Photo by Diego Diaz/ProstAmerika).
Going to play in Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas is not an easy endeavor for the Portland Timbers. Considered as a tough venue to get a positive result and seeing how the Hoops were coming with an all-around momentum. This time the Portland squad did stood its ground and got a valuable point that uplifted them out of their conference cellar. As the Savarese era is under way and I give the man a lot of credit for his efforts of seeing a continuance of the winning legacy left by his predecessor.
In this match, Gio sent in a new formation using the return of Diego Chara, the Timbers Talisman in its defensive midfield, as a means of shaking up their recent run of stodgy play. The team started showing up positive results in its game and the influence of Chara in his teammates. Among one of his moves looking forward to influence the defensive backfield was with a 4-3-2-1 formation.
The move paid off defensively.However on the offensive side, as the trio of Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi should have been more ambitious in the match. Despite the amazing goal executed by Blanco with just a minute and seconds in the clock of the second half his performance there were missed opportunities that leaves one wanting more. Of course Lawrence Olum’s miss and subsequent red card in the 74th minute shifted the rest of the match. Another magnificent play created by Alvas Powell but if he would have passed to Adi that goal would be the difference-maker.
Overall though there one could see an all-around improvement in the side and moving into their next road test against the Chicago Fire, the possibility of another positive result seems within reach. If Giovanni Savarese performs the right moves again the Timbers may have their first win.
MLS
Portland
