Portland’s Liam Ridgewell makes his return to the Portland lineup.” (Photo by Diego Diaz/Prost Amerika)
What a relief was the return of Ridgy to the Portland initial eleven this past Sunday. As his presence brought order to a troublesome defensive backfield, that lately has its share of struggles. Suddenly the Portland defense last Sunday came together, despite narrowly being edged by the Seattle Sounders in the latest edition of the Cascadia Cup.
In the end, the Rave greens just managed six shoots and Liam was one of those responsible for such amazing feat along with Portland defensive backfield.
Still perfection was not that night when the Seattle offensive game got a boost and started pressuring the Portland backfield. Until one of the Portland players error cost the defensive gem the Timbers had over the Seattlites to disappear with an own goal.
Despite a slow start, suddenly the man all around professionalism made him rebound for the best. However, an injury sidelined him and a family leaves, he was absent from the Portland initial eleven. In that, time the Portland Timbers showed off a run with perfection and displaying a wondrous defense in its game.
With a meltdown seen in the backfield, still the team perseveres. As the game against Vancouver, this match exposed Portland vulnerabilities in its defense, with a couple of bad moves that led them to a loss and stopping their perfect streak. In that road trip the Portland squad showed off a total meltdown against DC United and their arch-rivals Sporting Kansas City.
In this trip, the Portland squad allowed a whopping seven goals with one in favor. The lack of someone putting order in the backfield with much needed leadership, now with Ridgewell in the starting lineup somehow this can change for the better.
A man that not only he defends but also can add his magic to the attack and offensive contribution that has led to game winning goals.
In addition, of a reunion with Jorge Villafaña in the starting lineup, for sure we may see a boost in the Portland defensive game. That is in much need of a push, after being the one that has surrendered to a current bad and ugly looking losing streak.
With ten matches in the campaign left what better way to celebrate the return of Ridgy to the starting lineup. What better time than this when the team needs the leadership of their former Captain. His motivation and experience much needed in this time and against teams that have an arsenal in their offensive attacks. Having Villafaña and Ridgy back is what the doctor prescribed in the race for the postseason!
Timbers center back and captain Liam Ridgewell scores off Whitecaps’ Stefan Marinovic’s parry to tie up the game 1-1 in the first half (photo by Jeff Wong).
MLS Western
Portland
