Portland’s star midfielder availably for MLS Cup final still hasn’t been resolved yet, from an almost certain season ending injury, his recovery while remarkable, still has his role in doubt.
Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco was seen back training regularly with the group ahead of his possible selection to the MLS Cup final match during this morning at the Portland Timbers Training Facility, in Beaverton, OR. The Argentine midfielder had to leave the pitch with a hamstring injury during the match against Colorado on November 25, at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, in Denver Colorado, while playing the Western Conference semifinals.
The hamstring injury had everybody fearing to be a season ending injury, well, to almost everybody, but Sebastián, who had been working non stop with the medical and training staff. His recovery speed had everybody speechless. His team mate Diego Chará was joking that “He has been living here”, the Portland Timbers Training Center in Beaverton, OR. Portland Timbers coach, Giovanni Savarese, labeled him as a super human, for his commitment and hard work. Beyond the quality of his game, his team mates and coaches have nothing but massive respect and praise for Blanco.
The playmaker knows does not want to miss the MLS Cup final against New York City FC, this coming December 11, at Providence Park, in front of the home crowd, in Portland, OR. “Timbers fans are some of the best fans of MLS”, said Blanco at the press conference, he recognizes and corresponds with the club’s and fans love, and said he was willing to risk it to be take part in it.
Still it all, he hasn’t been confirmed as fully fit for duty, but neither has been ruled out of Saturday’s final.
A testament to his recovery is not whether Blanco will play a role in the final, the question is which will be his role. Sebastián Blanco although he wasn’t at 100% match fitness was still present in the bench last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, seeing him training regularly with the rest of the group increases the possibilities of a possible presence on the Portland Timbers. The question still unresolved is whether he might be in starting line up, or start from the bench.
At today’s press conference, nobody wanted to give a definitive answer and the decision has been postponed to tomorrows training, and might remain in doubt till coach Giovanni Savarese hands his starting 11 in his deadline, 1 hour before the match.
Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco at the MLS Cup press conference on December 9, 2021, at Providence Park, Portland OR (photo by Diego G Diaz).
