Last Saturday night in Portland was a preview of the western conference playoffs. Number 2 Real Salt Lake didn’t even register a shot on goal in the scoreless draw against the conference leading Timbers. The single earned point lowers Portland’s shot at the Supporter’s shield, but was enough to keep them in first through the weekend.
The first half was frustrating, with neither team able to get a shot on goal. The Timbers put together the only real attack of the half in the 42nd minute. Jose Adolfo Valencia muscled past a defender and cut into the box. Once inside he passed far-post to a sliding Kalif Alhassan who barely missed tapping it in.
Man of the Match belongs to RSL keeper Nick Rimando after his second half heroics. He saved four of four shots on goal to earn a point for his club. In the 62nd minute a Jewsbury cross meant for Rodney Wallace was deflected to Kalif Alhassan. Alhassan shot, but Rimando stopped it with ease.
The next save came in the 89th minute when Frederic Piquionne got his head on the end of a Michael Harring cross. Piquionne flicked the ball towards the top right corner, where Rimando jumped to save it.
Portland’s best chance on goal was a close set piece in second half stoppage time. Will JOhnson stepped up to take the free kick and sent it directly on goal. Rimando blocked it and sent the ball back into play and towards Sal Zizzo. Zizzo got a head to it and send it straight back into Rimando’s hands.
The draw gave Portland a total of 54 points, one more than second place RSL, and two above the LA Galaxy. Unfortunately for the Timbers, RSL won their match on Wednesday and jumped up to first with 56 points. New York and Sporting Kansas City also won their matchups. This means that Portland will need a win against Chivas tonight in order to claim the number 1 seed and to have a chance at the Supporter’s Shield. In addition to winning, the Red Bulls must lose to Chicago and SKC must tie or lose to Philly in order for the Timbers to take the Supporter’s Shield.
Chivas USA are, and have been for some time, done for the season. Pride is the only thing left for them to play for. I find it hard to believe that pride alone will carry them to a win over Portland today. Erick “El Cubo” Torres and Eric Avila are the Goats’ two top goalscorers with 7 and three goals respectively. Three goals being enough for second highest is evidence enough of a rough year. Even so, the Goats did score against RSL on Wednesday off the break. This is where the Timbers need to watch out and not get caught sleeping against a lesser opponent. On the other side, the Chivas defense is awful. They’ve given up 14 goals in their last five games. To make matters even worse for the Goats, starting keeper Dan Kennedy is out.
Good news for the Timbers, Diego Valeri should start again this week. Rodney Wallace will also likely start this week against Chivas after subbing on late last week. With these two back Kalif is the odd man out and will be moved to the bench. The real roster question is who starts at striker with Urruti still out. Valencia got the start last week and I think he does again over Ryan Johnson. Johnson has more goals, but Valencia is looking better up top than on the wing and needs those developmental minutes with the starting XI. Alternatively, Piquionne could make a rare starting appearance even though coming off the bench is more likely. He looked good in the air last week and Chivas isn’t exactly the best at defending free kicks.
This match should be cut and dry for Caleb Porter and the Timbers. Get at least one goal in the first half and hold on for three points. What I want to see is at least two goals scored. Portland needs to prove that they can put away games that they should and this is the last chance in 2013. Another set of clean sheets and the team might just win two awards this year: Donovan Ricketts for Keeper of the Year and Caleb Porter for Coach of the Year. Neither is a stretch by any means.
Projected Lineups:
Portland Timbers: Donovan Ricketts; Jack Jewsbury, Futty Danso, Pa Modou Kah, Michael Harrington; Will Johnson, Diego Chara; Darlington Nagbe, Jose Adolfo Valencia, Rodney Wallace
Chivas USA: Tim Melia; Carlos Borja, Mario de Luna, Carlos Bocanegra, Jamie Frias; Edgar Mejia, Oswaldo Minda; Eric Avila, Carlos Alvarez, Bryan de la Fuente; Erick Torres
