Fifteen games riding with perfection and there is no stopping this Portland Timbers squad. Still this perfection exposes a certain pressure on the Rose City squad. The need to persevere and not give up so is visibly shown in every match. As in Saturday’s match the Timbers were missing one of their creative playmakers in the midfield, Sebastian Blanco. With a match suspension due to yellow card accumulations, Gio and company were dealt a blow in replacing him in the starting eleven.
Fortunately, this new Portland Timbers squad excels in creativity and all-around fight. By showing a total initiative in the attack, they can turn the tide of any game. In addition, of turning the Philly Boys control of the first half and making several tries to open up the score. As Philadelphia in the early minutes, were totally dominating the Portland squad not letting pass to their midfield and not allowing them any comfort in their game.
For Portland the defensive game showing a return which became pure poison to Philadelphia’s offensive game. After manager, Gio Savarese sent a very defensive formation with just three defenders and five players in its midfield. With both Alvas Powell and Zarek Valentin, doing an amazing job both offensively and especially defensively all evening long. To mention a spectacular and inspired Portland goalkeeper in Jeff Attinella making game saving plays.
So far in this 2018 campaign these Portland Timbers squad have adapted to their new game scheme and strategies put in by their manager. Another is the unity and teamwork that has elevated this squad after their win to second place. Despite not opening, the score with four clear opportunities and one wasted due to Polo looking to adorn his play and sending the ball up high.
One thing of note in this Rose City side is that they are becoming more patient and studious of their foes in every match first halves. Giving certain liberties and momentum to their foes that after intermission, these cannot stop the Timbers push and pressure. Putting in evidence the way the Philly Boys started committing horrible fouls inside the area that lead to two Portland scores.
In this campaign, the team is not relying solely in their top playmaker and Talisman Diego Valeri. As this is a group effort and each player in Portland’s initial eleven does his contribution for the cause. With an amazing game and campaign displayed by Alvas Powell. Both defending have becom a vital part in his squad attack, the Reggae Boy is delivering us a one of a kind campaign. Still I do not take any credit away or merit to Diego Valeri their utmost leader and Diego Chara being a stallion and contributor too in Portland current success.
As the chivalry and class of Valeri when the second foul was on him inside the area leading to another penal. He graciously passed the opportunity to Dairon Aspirilla, for the Colombian to convert the second and go-ahead goal. Three minutes passed when a well-placed David Guzman headed the security goal to leave the game with a final score at 3-0.
As Giovanni Savarese states that, every match his squad plays is a new challenge. The hard work and winning philosophy brought by Giovanni Savarese to Portland is delivering positive results. Scratch one for these Portland Timbers not surrendering an inch and displaying an amazing defensive game so far in the campaign. Another notable point to mention that despite any important player not in the initial eleven, still this squad performs and delivers.
Now the team has to focus on another big test against another one of their rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps. In their first round of the always-contested Cascadia Derby, the Caps for sure will be another big test for the Rose City squad.
Philadelphia Union
Portland
