The eight times Eliteserien champions, Norway’s top tier league, got a comfortable 3-1 win over the local try-out version of the Portland Timbers. Much like the European coastal towns of the middle ages, Viking FK or Viking Stavanger, made prey of their second MLS team after their 4-1 stroll over Real Salt Lake last Sunday. Unlike the exchanges with the former middle ages legendary sailors that the Norwegian team takes its name from, nobody really got hurt.
The Portland Timbers second home presentation, this time the local team was young feisty side with plenty of talent that will get Portland’s coach Giovanni Savarese plenty to think about as he is closing the roster for the 2022 upcoming season. Savarese tried to anchor the youngsters with the experience of first team players, George Fochive (midfield), and returning José Carlos Van Ranking (defender), while giving minutes to new goal keeper David Bingham. Fight and will, but lacking cohesion and the team muscle memory of their Scandinavian peers, who at times showed off in a display discipline, athleticism and at times just good soccer.
It was an entertaining match with intensity and goals from two teams utilizing their benches and prospects. Viking FK also presented a team drawn from the depths of their squad. From the Timbers side, most players were unknown to the fans, who only got a read out over speakers of the line up. Fans were heard rooting for players by their jersey numbers, wondering if they will be able to see some of these kids ever again.
Viking opened the score board at minute 11 via Sandberg. Lokberg doubled up the advantage when he netted in a loose ball from a penalty save by Portland Timbers new goal keeper David Bingham at minute 37. The best moment of the Timbers came when Justin Rasmussen (#14), scored a screamer volley from a very reduced angle left the from Norwegian goal, an authentic Golazo that got the fans on their feet.
The second half had the Timbers sub Pablo Bonilla in for Van Rankin, but brought the same dynamic, an intense Timbers trying to catch up, and an ordered Viking FK moving the ball from side to side field looking like some version of that “total soccer” that Johan Cruyff and the Dutch National Team made famous in the 1970s. Viking found the third goal via Brekalo at the 71st minute.
Giovanni Savarese subbed in three of his top guns after the visitors’s third goal, Yimmi Chará, Dairon Asprilla, and Santiago Moreno. The experienced top team’s players came to reenergize a diminished Timbers after Bonilla’s ejection for a double cleated challenge just minutes on the pitch. The intensity grew and the whole team responded. Timbers started to dominated and create changes, but Vikings held, their defensive order prevailed, and even had chances to increase their advantage in the last minutes.
This Saturday, Minnesota United awaits for Viking FK’s last Preseason Tournament match up. United comes from a 1-0 loss to the Timbers in their first match, and drew 0-0 with Real Salt Lake. Barring some spectacular Saturday results, Viking FK will be the likely winner of the tournament, after two victories that leaves them with a positive goal average of +5 (7 goals scored minus 2 goals conceded), but who is counting.
“43! 43!” the fans chanted, his name is Ian Shaul, a Timbers academy player.
Justin Rasmussen, defender, scored a wonder of a goal, and has been offered a one year contract with an option of two more for the 2022 MLS Season.
Portland Timbers
