After the Portland Timbers (4-3-2, 14 points, 6th in the Western Conference) drew 1-1 at Qwest Field against their hated rival the Seattle Sounders (3-3-5, 14 points, 5th in the Western Conference), I’ve decided to switch the format of this week’s Timbers match report, instead drawing from the words of the players and coaches who made the first MLS edition of the Cascadia Cup so special. With each quote I have decided to provide relevant commentary that pertains to the team itself.
“It’s hard in this weather and I think the weather suited them a little bit more in the sense that they go direct and try to knock it up to their big men and they were a bit better at that than we were.” – Seattle Sounders head coach, Sigi Schmid, on Portland’s style of play.
Really, Sigi, the weather? Because last time I checked the region was renowned for it’s rainy weather and with a little fact checking Seattle could easily claim the crown between the two cities when it comes to average rainfall and you choose to hang an excuse on the weather? Granted part of the comment is discussing the style of play but whether it was scorching summer sun or pouring like it was, Portland was going to play the game their way and the fact you couldn’t stop it, leave the weather out of it. The weather and turf were factors that contributed to poor play throughout the game for both clubs with the Portland duo of Cooper and Perlaza left wanting for some decent service up front.
In response I turn you to our Portland Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins and his thoughts on the game including the weather.
“Typical Northwest weather. A little bit of rain, the field played incredibly fast. Our FieldTurf is a little bit different. It doesn’t play as fast when it is wet.” On the weather and the play in general.
“Both defenders went for the same ball, a little bit of a miss communication. The ball just fell right to him and he made a good play.” On Seattle’s Alvaro Fernandez slotting home the opening goal
Portland showed again that they could defend resolutely but suffered from the halftime break that saw the team on its heels as soon as the whistle blew. During that particular run of play responsibility for Fernandez should have fallen to Jeremy Hall. The combination of Brunner and Danso has formed a formidable core for the defense but the wingers continue to be a source of concern for Portland, especially when making decisions off the ball. They will have step up in order for the Timbers to field a formidable defense that will be necessary to grind out points on the road.
“The good thing we regrouped being a goal down. I felt they were terrified with us during every set piece. They were worried about giving up a goal.” Timbers head coach, John Spencer, on the team’s effort after Fernandez’s goal.
While not many teams have been able to grab three points on the road after going down a goal, the Timbers have proved resilient in picking up a result against both New England and Seattle when pressed up against the wall. With 1-0 wins against RSL and Philadelphia, Portland is tucking away valuable points on the road which will determine if they are legitimate playoff contenders.
“Jack Jewsbury has been fantastic for us, that is why we brought him here and made him captain. He has lived up to everything and more.” John Spencer, on Timber’s midfielder Jack Jewsbury service to Futty Danso for game tying goal.
Jack Jewsbury’s has been a revelation to Timbers fans. He was acquired late during the preseason but the veteran midfielder has made his presence indispensable to the team. In the way that they team remains composed under his direction, Jewsbury has provided the spark that has led to many of the Timber’s goals this season. With his partner Diego Chara in the midfield these two players form the spine of the team that continues to finds ways to succeed in the MLS.
“Yeah, it’s a little disappointing. The first half was pretty even. They had some shots, we had some shots. I agree with what Nate (Jaqua) said; I thought the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half we came out and played some good stuff. Got the reward, got the goal. Then we just kind of messed it up a little bit, which is frustrating. We know they’re a dangerous team on set pieces. We talked about it all week. They started winning a few more set pieces in dangerous positions and Jewsbury hits a great ball in and they have some big bodies in there. We’re a little frustrated because we all thought we dropped our line a little bit too quick and let them get on top of us. You get a big kid like Danso in there, he’s going to win stuff. Unfortunately he kind of just beat me to the ball. I couldn’t get there quite quick enough, which was frustrating.” Sounders goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, on the result
For a man whose judgment has come under question this was a pretty credible assessment of the match, just nicer to hear the pain of a lost opportunity to grab three points at home from an opponent. Futty’s stock has been on the rise throughout his debut season in the MLS. A dynamic defender who has been with the Timbers for two seasons, he originally began the season behind Kevin Goldthwaite and David Horst, he has made a name in the air on both ends of the pitch and is definitely in the running for Man of the Match. But as a member of the Timbers he is one of the few players on the squad who have true grasp of the history of this rivalry and its importance to the supporters, so I leave you with his words.
“We came here for the win. We didn’t come here for the tie.”
The Portland Timbers will welcome the Columbus Crew (3-2-4, 13 points, 4th in the Eastern Conference) this weekend to the Rose City.
(image courtesy of Craig Mitchelldyer)
