Monthly Archives: May 2014
Cascadia Clash – Timbers vs Whitecaps – Excitement builds… gonna be a huge game!
The Portland Timbers closed out May like a lion this year – much more beneficial to their standings in the Western Conference then where they were to begin the month. The pressure got higher and the Timbers responded – and indeed their response came from a full squad of players, over two games, showing that depth […]
Portland Timbers Defeat Chivas USA 2 – nil
Many different players last night got a look-in with the short amount of time between games this week. All told, considering the very negative style that Chivas USA brought to the game, I’d say the Timbers did well, remarkably well, and Fenando Adi bagged a brace to boot… Well done Adi! In considering the flow […]
Road Victory! Portland Timbers 2 – Red Bulls 1
It wasn’t pretty and the Red Bulls had plenty of chances but when it was all said and done the Timbers had won just their second game this year and first one on the Road. It doesn’t get any easier, though some might think that given Chivas is next up – but lest it’s forgotten […]
Timbers Visit Red Bull Arena Saturday
I could offer quite a bit about this game but will defer to just a couple of diagrams and a few observations to go with. First the two diagrams… if you want to know the logic behind these doughnut diagrams read here: and then read this article on Expected Wins. If not then scroll down […]
Winning… three points elude Timbers again!
I’d like to join the celebratory bandwagon on the Timbers scratching back a draw in this game, against all odds, but I won’t. I’m more haunted by how they put themselves in the same old position, again, to begin with. Here’s a few things to consider: Fullbacks for the Timbers routinely have the most or next […]
Peeling back the Portland Timbers
What’s inside the Portland Timbers performance this year? Some basic info to get started about how well Portland’s opponents have performed this year against Portland: Possession – Opponents for Portland average 48.21% possession; 8th best in defending against the opponent. Passing Accuracy across the Entire Pitch – 74.12%; 7th best in defending. Penetration into the […]
Last minute madness on Mother’s Day…
At a loss… not quite but pretty bloody close. In considering the complete game many may walk away from this game feeling very disappointed; not me – and here’s why… As noted before, the LA Galaxy remain one of the most dangerous, productive and well organized teams in MLS – year in and year out. […]
Portland Timbers v LA Galaxy – Sunday: 1130 AM
National TV – A marquee match-up between two very competitive teams – Possession and Penetration with patience, persistence and purpose should see Portland pull three points…. I hope! Win one is under the belt, a great confidence builder all around and the season continues. If you have missed my last few articles you should know that […]
Brilliance to Begin and Beggaring Belief to End…
How the Timbers started and finished the game Saturday night couldn’t have gone any better as they took three points for the first time this season. Granted DC United got two goals but……. Portland got three. And as hard as it was to believe, their closing goal was even more dramatic than their opening goal… Wow! […]