Portland Timbers 2-Chicago Fire 2
The Portland Timbers heading into Toyota Park and looking forward for their first win of the campaign. With the labels of all around favorites to net what seems to be that elusive first win of this 2018. The Portland Boys had to settle for a point and looking forward to their match next week in Orlando against the Purple Lions.
Manager Giovanni Savarese will likely be back to the drawing board after seeing a certain defensive meltdown that allowed the local Fire strikers take their opportunities in full. Once again, the Fire’s goals could have been easily prevented. After sending what looked a marvelous initial, eleven were repeating with his defensive backfield but with the novelty of Marco Farfan in the left side and Zarek Valentin in the right accompanying the connection of Bill Tuiloma and Mabbiala’s.
Once again, manager Savarese repeared his 4-3-2-1 formation that so far has given a boost to his defense. With Diego Chara in the center and flanked by Andres Flores in the right and Cristhian Paredes in the left. For the Salvador native making his first MLS start. As well for Paredes who is consolidating a starting position in every match. While the Rose City showed off a lot of initiative and potential in a dominating first half the second it was an entirely different story.
The negative was the second half when Bastian Schweinsteiger returning to his old game. He caused havoc on the Portland defense and being the culprit in those two goals of his squad. The first one in a play he scrambles taking Chara and Paredes to pass to Brandon Vincent to send the center to Nikolic. The second plays were the Chicago second goal came was when Paredes should been closer to pressure Basty and not allow him to pass to Vincent for the second goal.
On the offense Portland needs more than Sebastian Blanco as Diego Valeri is now in the scoring side with his first goal from his compatriot. The Timbers are in need of a more aggressive and ambitious effort in its game inside the eighteen yard box.
Now the question rises with Orlando winning over the weekend over the Red Bulls in a display of arsenals. As Portland has never won in Florida and now looking for its first win to an Orlando squad coming with a slight momentum. To conclude Portland can make anything happen and with this match, just details are in need of taking care. As Marco Farfan and Mabbialas had a grand match but slowly but surely Portland is starting to play as a team and anytime that coveted win will arrive.
Chicago Fire
Portland
