4 Thoughts: Timbers 0 – 2 Vancouver

The Timbers lined up against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of their playoff match up and got off to what broadcasters for both teams called, “the worst start possible.”

Whitecaps goals in the first and thirteenth minutes put Portland in a hole they were unable to dig themselves out of. The 0-2 loss put the Timbers in a desperate situation heading back home for Sunday’s second leg at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field. With the total score from both legs being added together to determine the winner, the Timbers will need to win Sunday’s match by a three goal margin to move on.

Here are my thoughts following the match:
(1) The first half may have been some of the worst Timbers soccer of the season. There were bad touches and bad decisions all over the place. The guys seemed nervous, tentative and grossly out of sync with one another. Unfortunately, it was almost expected. It was pointed out by multiple people on Tuesday that the starting group did not finish training very well before heading up north. And you know how that saying goes, “you play how you practice.” Well, the Timbers played exactly how they finished practice.

(2) Here is something coaches harp on over and over again: don’t give away cheap fouls near the box; if you’re going to foul, do it at the half line. Ross Smith has undoubtedly heard that before but his needless, careless foul on Vancouver’s Martin Nash 25 yards out from goal resulted in the PK just moments later.

(3) A quick story… I watched the World Cup Final this summer at my friend Erik’s house up in Seattle (yes, I’m friends with a Sounders fan). He had been wearing a Netherlands jersey since before the World Cup had started and was of course pleased with himself that his team had made it to the finals. Somewhere along the way the topic of diving came up (actually, I brought it up in regards to Arjen Robben) and Erik, a very good D-2 college player and current high level club coach, gave me his philosophy: “I tell my forwards to always keep their feet when they get hit, unless there is absolutely no chance that they can get to the ball. Then, you might as well go down and see if you get a call.”

Now go back and watch the sequence leading to Vancouver’s PK. Whitecaps midfielder Blake Wagner did exactly that. He touched the ball down, Kalif came sliding in, he kept his feet for one, maybe two steps, saw that Cronin was about to wrap the ball up, and fell to the ground. Whistle. PK. Goal.

Damn you Erik.

(4) Although Portland fans are a little depressed, the current situation may provide an amazing match come Sunday. There is no doubt that the coaches and players are extremely upset with themselves and we are unlikely to see another poor performance like Thursday’s. Merlo field will provide an intimate setting for some of the most passionate soccer fans in the U.S. who have not seen their team in over a month. And Portland won’t be protecting anything. It will have to be an all-out attack of immense proportions which should create a very entertaining end-to-end match. I’m not sure how optimistic I am that Portland will move on to the next round, but I know Sunday will be a fun game to watch.

**Box Score**

Match Reviews:
Portland Timbers
Dropping Timber
Oregonian
The Offside
Vancouver Whitecaps