Diego Chara closes down Gonzalo Pineda

Mistake unravels Timbers’ conservative approach

by Ed Pham

As in every derby game between the two teams, there were plenty of questions as to how the Portland Timbers were going to approach this game against the Seattle Sounders. With the MLS suspending Chad Marshall, it opened an opportunity for the Timbers to try to find a way to exploit the defensive partnership of Evans and Scott. What approach were they planning on taking in terms of the attack and defense against an otherwise full-strength squad like the Sounders? What adjustments were the Timbers going to make? It was rather surprising.

Urruti starts in place of Adi
Timbers made only one change from their game against NYC FC, but it was a surprising change. Rather than let target man Fanendo Adi start up against Scott and Evans, Porter selected Urruti. It was likely to provide additional technical skill and possession alongside Nagbe and Asprilla while in the attacking half. Ishmael Yartey also got another start, providing more potential speed on the Timbers attack. However, this left Portland without a speedy winger on the bench to provide fresh legs during the second half.

Timbers’ Conservative Approach and Solid Defensive Effort…
With the front four that they had, it did make sense that the Timbers were willing to give up possession in order to catch the Sounders defense out of position and too high up the field by hitting them on the counter. Yartey, especially, is far more effective on the break rather than in possession.

However, it was the exact opposite. Timbers looked to go with a more conservative approach, which came as a complete surprise. They were willing to absorb the initial Seattle attacks and there were times during the game where the Timbers were willing to defend with all eleven players, especially in the first half. While it was hard to watch at times, the defense was comfortable and calm in such a position.

When they were able to find possession, they were willing to pass the ball around their own half and just slow down the game. Powell, Ridgewell, and Borchers eventually ended the game in the top five in touches and completed passes for Portland. Much like Barcelona’s and Spain’s strategy, they adapted the same mentality this game by avoiding giving Seattle looks at goal by holding the ball whenever they could.

This defensive strategy, while unusual for Portland, statistically worked as Seattle did not have a shot on goal until stoppage time and were limited to only five shots in either half. Though, this could have easily been a lead for Seattle if it wasn’t for Martins’ missed shot in the six-yard box or Pappa’s powerful strike that just went wide of the goal. They were able to stave off Seattle’s attacks with relative comfort and ease for most of the game. They were able to limit the Sounders to a total of three shots on target, which is impressive against the likes of Martins and Dempsey. It was an overall solid effort from the Timbers’ defense…

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… Minus The Defensive “Howler”
There may have been considerable blame directed at Kwarasey for his “mistake” and inability to control the ball off Rose’s shot that led to the only goal of the game. However, the Timbers keeper did everything that he could to keep the ball out of the net. It ultimately was the result of back-to-back mistakes by the defense here. The first was on the initial shot that Rose had. He was left unmarked and free to hit the shot at goal. This was followed by no one following up and shielding Kwarasey from oncoming attackers that could have poked it in, which Dempsey did. Chara, Ridgewell, and Villafana were caught watching the play progress and they were punished for it.

It was another defensive lapse by the Timbers that proved costly in an otherwise sound defensive effort by the Timbers.

Yartey and Asprilla
Like many wingers in a typical 4-2-3-1 formation, Yartey and Asprilla provided great defensive cover against the Sounders attack. Asprilla made key contributions in making Neagle very ineffective during the first half.

The problem was their ineffectiveness on the attack. Both Yartey and Asprilla lead the team in dispossessions (with six and five respectively). But their roles were also restricted. Both players typically are wingers that like to utilize their speed, ability to take on defenders, and also get inside the 18 to take shots. However, they were left wanting as they had a total of three touches inside opposing box. They were getting played the ball out wide or in the middle third.

Portand’s wing play was generally unthreatening

This was mainly due to that conservative approach to the game. It limited Asprilla’s and Yartey’s touches for most of the game. There were points in the game where Yartey was trying to find ways to get involved by coming back deep to help create on the attack. In order to utilize either player to their maximum potential, they needed to be in positions where they can threaten the defense. The game against Vancouver was a prime example of Asprilla’s need to have the ball and be able to attack, as he created a big chance for Portland off his dribble. Yartey’s ability to find a way to be open on the far post and also cut inside with the ball has been highlighted many times during his time in Switzerland and France.

In their formation, it’s crucial that the wingers to find ways to threaten opposing defenses, either with their dribbles or their runs. But here, neither player could find a way to get into the game and provide that offensive threat.

Adi off the Bench
Adi’s move to the bench this game was surprising, as it was expected that he would be the typical target man that Portland would want, especially with their direct approach this season due to Valeri’s absence. He would challenge both Evans and Scott with his size and hold-up play on the counter. However, with that conservative approach, there wasn’t a need to have him in. Urruti provided possession when needed as the lone striker up top and help with interplay whenever the opportunity arose.

When Adi came on for Urruti, he almost made an instant impact with his first touch, as his glancing header just went wide of the far post. He would have another look at goal, as he hit Yartey’s cross into the crossbar. His misfirings may have left fans frustrated at the Timbers’ continued struggles to find goals, but provided hope that Timbers might be able to find an equalizer. But it also left questions of whether Adi should have started in the first place. The Timbers needed to find ways to take on the Scott/Evans pairing, who were sound but also unchallenged for much of the game. In hindsight, Adi, not Urruti, probably was the solution.

Timbers Need Valeri and Johnson to Settle Bench Problems
While the Timbers have managed to get by despite their injuries, Diego Valeri’s and Will Johnson’s returns cannot come soon enough. Injuries have exploited their lack of depth on the bench. Yartey’s loan deal looked to provide fresh, fast legs off the bench on the wing. But with Wallace’s latest injury, it left the Timbers short on wingers again, which could have provided an additional spark on the attack on Sunday. With Nagbe having to play a central attacking role, it left Porter with no other choice than to play Yartey out wide with Asprilla.

Valeri’s absence moves Nagbe centrally and leaves Portland without a winger on the bench

With Valeri possibly set to feature for the first time this season against the Whitecaps, it will give the Timbers the opportunity to have a winger come off the bench as needed and give more playmaking with both Nagbe and Valeri in the attacking four. What also may be as important is Johnson’s return to the starting XI in the next few weeks. His two-way presence has been sorely missed, as it allows the attack to be a bit more dynamic with a player coming from a deeper position.

Final Thoughts
To say that this was a poor game for the Timbers would be unfair. Their defensive efforts this game were solid against an attack at full-strength like Seattle’s. They were able to hold their own and remain comfortable absorbing attacks. Any other defensive lineup that the Timbers had in past years probably wouldn’t have provided the same confidence that this backline had on Sunday. With the conservative approach that they came into the game with, they would have easily accepted a draw, especially in a hostile environment like CenturyLink Field. They almost pulled it off.

However, it will be that one defensive mistake that will leave the Timbers wondering what could have been.

Ed Pham is a Timbers contributor on the Radio Cascadia podcast. He can be found on Twitter at @edpham, covering the Portland Timbers, Arsenal, Olympique Lyonnais, and Ligue 1.  

Stats taken from WhoScored.com.