Oh, what a relief that desired win brought to the Portland Timbers and manager Giovanni Savarese. After his post-match press conference, he showed his joy with his squad all-around feat. The man feels fantastic! However, the man still has a lot of work to do ahead of what seems to be a much-contested 2018 campaign. As the level of competition increases and MLS squads continue to adapt and evolve beyond their Technical Director’s spreadsheets, things will only get more challenging
So far, the new formation implemented by the Rose City squad has worked. Still the specter of not being able to finish is somehow a concern, but solvable. Saturday’s win over Minnesota United FC delivers that confidence the team needed after a long and partially disastrous road trip. The need to finish games and despite the substitutions accurately made. For sure, Portland needs to play a game of one on one that can derail the opposition pressure and momentum to stop their comeback.
With manager Giovanni Savarese in the campaign juggling, many names in his initial eleven. His lineup from Saturday against Minnesota could be the ideal one for the time being. The backfield and the defensive midfield provided a certain guarantee in the posts of Jake Gleeson. Still the Loons had their moments even in the first half with a dominant Portland squad in its majority of the 45 minutes.
Defensively the Portland squad aligned Alvas Powell in his right side in center the French connection of Larry’s Mabiala and Bill Tuiloma and in the left Zarek Valentin. In the first half, this foursome became a brick wall for the visitors. Unfortunately, this foursome in the second half surrendered a lot of space and allowed the visitors start a rally. The Portland backfield should not had any problems in containing a Minnesota attack that was giving Darwin Quintero their first start. The club still sorely misses Adam Kwarsey’s communication with his defenders. This is something Gleeson or Attinella need to address as that own goal was preventable with a little communication from the goalie to his defender.
One thing the midfield worked wonders and the plan of attack and strategy worked wonders for Savarese and company. As the opportunities to score started getting available, the need to do the final touch was missing in their early minutes. One thing I like the rise of not only one but also two leaders in Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri. For sure, we will have in the Andeans a successful plan of attack as these delivered this weekend.
Another plus was the scoring of Adi, who was missing in action in the early matches. The Nigerian striker almost netted him a double. The problem was VAR and that brilliantly generated play from Diego Valeri the goal was called off.
Timbers supporters will also be pleased with their defensive midfield and the leadership of Diego Chara. His influence was a positive on Cristhian Paredes and Andy Polo. The hope is with Polo that with more game time, maybe we can see more of his game that caught the attention of the Portland Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson. With a little bit of work and determination Polo can deliver when needs the most.
With the first match jitters over the idea now is to take advantage of the home field advantage and deliver back-to-back wins at home. It will be a tall task against one of the league’s hottest of clubs NYCFC (9pm PST, ESPN +). Consistency was something that Portland lacked last season under Caleb Porter. Sunday’s match against one of the best sides in the East will be a true test as to whether Savarese can produce different results.
Western Conference
Portland
