The Timbers' Bittersweet Symphony

The Portland Timbers drew 1-1 to NYCFC at Providence Park last night.

It took a while for this game to open up. The first 20-30 minutes were characterized by both teams having a ton of trouble getting into the opposing box. NYCFC’s only real chance came off of a free kick, and Cristhian Paredes took it right off the dome. But when the Timbers needed a bit of magic, Evander came through. In the 38th minute, he took a short layoff from Marvin Loria and put it in the net with a fantastic finish from outside the box. The technique on the shot was beautiful as he knuckled it past NYCFC keeper Matt Freese. The Timbers had another chance in the 40th minute, when Franck Boli’s point-blank shot was denied spectacularly by Freese before being cleared off the line by Maxime Chanot. The Timbers were dominant defensively in the first half, only allowing 1 shot, which came from the free kick. 

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There was no collapse from Portland in the second half. Larrys Mabiala fouled (?) Talles Magno on the edge of the box in the 50th minute. The resulting free kick from Matias Pellegrini was headed in at the near post by Keaton Parks for the equalizer. Juan Mosquera lost his marker and allowed Parks to get a free header. NYCFC kept the pressure on, forcing two big saves from Aljaz Ivacic. In the 62nd minute, Evander had a chance in the box. He dribbled through the pressure but never had a good angle to shoot. NYCFC’s best chance from open play came from a Santi Rodriguez curler in the 65th minute that went above the frame of the goal. In the 85th minute, the ball fell for Santiago Moreno on the edge of the box but his weak-footed finish whisked wide left of the net. Deep into stoppage time, an Evander free kick was cleared out to Mosquera, who hit it on the volley. It was spilled by Freese but went out for a corner. Evander’s final free kick banged off the post. Another draw for Portland.

I waited until the day after the game to begin writing this because I needed to let this game rest. There were so many things that the Timbers did right yesterday. But the result was once again lackluster. Giovanni Savarese shared my sentiment. “Deja vu. It’s the same story everyday. Play well, create some chances. We feel deserving of the moment but it’s not about deserving; it’s about getting it done and doing the job.” Last night the Timbers put on a performance that deserved three points. But like Savarese says, even if you play well the result is still the result. 

Let’s start with the backline. I will be the first to say that Larrys Mabiala had a great game. Yes, he gave away the foul that led to the free kick. But every winger is going to dive there. He had a wonderful first half and filled in admirably for Zac McGraw. The main worry that I had upon seeing the starting XI was Bravo and Mosquera at right back. I immediately thought back to watching this team get ripped apart on counters against SKC, but both Bravo and Mosquera had great games (overall). NYCFC’s only dangerous chances came on set pieces, and that’s a testament to how well the backline dealt with their dangerous front four. 

Although the team did play well overall, there are still issues to work out. Particularly in the attack. There are issues in the attack from the buildup to the final ball. Let’s take a closer look at those issues.

In build-up play, the Timbers want to build out through the back and the wings. But NYCFC’s high line left them vulnerable to long balls over the top. Neither of the center backs attempted a long ball over the top to Franck Boli or either of the wingers. I’m not talking about a long diagonal to the wings. A ball over the top of the line that would create some space for the Timbers to attack into. Plus there were several times where players would be open on the opposite flanks and no long cross-field switch would come. It looked like the players just didn’t see the pass. They weren’t using the whole field, just trying to find a way to keep possession. Sometimes you just have to take risks, and the Timbers rarely do that in their build-up. 

Now we get into the team’s struggles in the final third. Here’s the Timbers’ shot map last night.

The Timbers only had one shot from inside the penalty spot. That was Franck Boli’s chance at the start of the second half. And there is one issue that accounts for it. It’s the Timbers’ version of the chicken-or-the-egg theory. Which is going to come first, a dangerous diagonal run into the box or a ball that opens the space for the run to be made? If the creator doesn’t believe the finisher is going to make the run, why would he play the ball there? And if the finisher doesn’t believe the creator is going to make the pass, why would he make the run? It’s really confusing. The Timbers do get the ball in dangerous areas but have no idea how to exploit the space in the box. It’s mind-boggling. The team wants chances to be created from crosses into the 18, but they have to try to create when the attack is more narrow. Moments of brilliance aren’t going to come every match. The Timbers attempted 25 crosses yesterday. Woof. 

Yes, the attack still can’t function correctly in the final third. But last night’s true failure was on counterattacks. The minority of Timbers counterattacks ended with a shot. Think about that. This team, which has been a counterattacking team for the majority of its MLS existence, now routinely shits its pants on counters. I had to ask Savarese about this in the post-game press conference, and he gave me a good answer: “It hasn’t just been today. The problem is overthinking. The players see so many options.” This plays into the overall struggle of decision-making in the final third. In these high percentage situation, the Timbers need to be at their sharpest. I can excuse poor choices in possession, but only if the counterattacks are lethal. 

As for standout performers, there are two players who deserve a lot of love for yesterday. I will be the first to let you know that Marvin Loria completed 100% of his passes. Good showing from him, and as I previously said the attacking struggles continue to be team-wide. Noel Caliskan came on as a substitute for Cristhian Paredes at halftime, and looked really good. He was a great passer and showed a lot of promise in a pivot with Diego Chara. 

Santiago Moreno needs to find more confidence. That’s about all I can say. 

Felipe Mora returned to the field following a long absence due to injury. What a moment for the team’s cult hero. At least in my section, chants of “Ole, ole ole ole. Pipeeee, pipeeee,” could be heard. Mora was taken aback by this outpouring of love from the crowd. “I didn’t expect that reception when I entered the pitch tonight. I felt born again when I came on the field. After such a tough period of time since his iconic goal in MLS Cup, his season debut had to feel like a victory. But alas, even he admitted that the most important thing tonight was getting 3 points. 

Evander didn’t create any chances last night, but was still very effective. He led the team in shots on target and tied for the team lead in total shots. Not the creative output we were expecting, but he played as a second striker. He also got some time on the wing late in the match. I’m a little puzzled by that, but at least the attack was still getting into dangerous places.

Juan Mosquera returned from the Colombian national team this week. I had an opportunity to talk with him at training last week, and he was very pleased with his time with his compatriots. “Although I wasn’t able to get minutes, I was very happy for the team as we get ready for the next World Cup.” He led the team in crosses with 10 and also took 3 shots (1 on target). The balance issue I was scared of with both him and Claudio Bravo (who also had a great game) in the backline was nonexistent. Both players were able to get forward and get back with ease. I’m going to be so sad when Mosquera inevitably takes his talent to Europe. Not only will we lose a fantastic player, but one who is mature beyond his years. 

I did return to the Timbers Army for this match, and I’m honestly a little disappointed from my experience. There just seems to be a constant air of negativity amongst the fans who are showing up. I don’t understand paying money just to yell at referees and players. Support your team or just don’t come. I know the Timbers aren’t a good team at this moment. It can be very hard to stay positive. But for God’s sake just be better. 

PROReferees continue to be bad. Last night’s display from Nima Saghafi was defined by inconsistency. Genuinely starting to wonder if there’s an agenda against us. NYCFC came into this match with the second most yellow cards in the league and didn’t get a single one. Unbelievable that their keeper was able to get away with so much time-wasting without even a single warning whistle. Dives need to start getting punished too. For all the whining that goes on about the lack of pro-rel in MLS, the officiating continues to hold the league back more than the closed system MLS operates in. 

For the second month in a row, the Timbers were unable to meet the points target I set for them. Instead of reaching the target 7 points for the remaining June matches, they got 5. This team is missing their spark, and now only 3 league matches remain before the inaugural Leagues Cup. Not looking very pretty, especially if you look at the league table. 

*Yes, this table is missing the 14th placed Colorado Rapids on 14 points. Don’t worry. Their owner doesn’t know of their existence either.*

All three teams above us have a game in hand. Austin has won their last two, but Dallas could slump while Jesus Ferreira is away at the Gold Cup. Salt Lake has played the same amount of matches as us, but they have already made two big signings in the summer window. Miguel Araujo is still set to join the Timbers once the window opens, but the attack still needs addressing. We’re still not dead, but we’re getting awfully close. Part of me wants to go all-out in Leagues Cup, but we’d need a serious turnaround in form to even have a chance given our tough group draw. Will Timbers fans be OK with at least another Cascadia Cup in a transition year? I certainly would be, given we’ve never repeated as Cascadia champs. But this seems to be a season of building towards a big 2024. 

Some are already calling for Savarese’s firing. Groan. Some are already throwing in the towel on 2023. Groan. I’m getting tired of saying it is far too early, but this team should be set to peak at the right time. A trip to Minnesota is next on the schedule, followed by a short turnaround to Colorado 3 days later. After that, the Timbers don’t play again until July 15, their last match before Leagues Cup begins. Every match from this point forward is a must win.

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