Post-Match Thoughts: Timbers vs. Chivas

A few thoughts following Portland’s 2-0 win over Chivas USA in Tuesday night’s U.S. Open Cup play-in game win:

1) Chivas is not very good.

2) It’s nice to see some things never change. James Marcelin looked really good—except for those 4 or 5 incomprehensible, unforced errors. Being in the middle of the park his turnovers don’t just seem bigger, they are bigger. Those errors can be more costly simply because of where they occur on the pitch: right in front of goal.

The crazy thing is that Ryan Pore had very much a sub-par outing, but fans are not as likely to remember all of his bad touches because the ball would just roll out of bounds or get picked up in Chivas’ end of the field. While the crowd may simply groan “ugh” at one of Pore’s turnovers, they scream and shriek “aaaaahhhhh!” at a Marcelin turnover—all because of where it occurs.

P.S. I first heard this golden rule of soccer when I was probably 14 or 15 but it seems James needs to be reminded of it frequently: “Don’t let the ball run past you without having a touch.”

3) I’m going to go ahead and admit that I was a little surprised when the Timbers announced that they had signed Steve Purdy. I thought they were settling and that he wasn’t up to playing at this level. But goodness-gracious he’s played well—and played well consistently. How is it that someone who routinely got turned and abused in 1v1 situations in Division 2 last year, is shutting down every MLS winger who takes him on this year? And manages at the same time to get forward so much? Well, I’m done trying to figure out. Just keep it up Steve!