I actually thought Eric looked better playing out of position last night. And Paredes was great last year though he's been disappointing this year.
But I think Ayala should be starting three matches out of every four. Great passer. So good at tackling that the referee thinks it's a foul every time. As Chara phases out and if a DP CM comes in, we could be in great shape up the spine.
Subs made a massive difference. I will never know why we started without Bravo and Mosquera out there, they both were huge. Ayala elevated the entire team when he came on, he was able to break the press so much easier and sparked several attacks. Moreno was awesome as well and a breath of fresh air after Antony was largely not great. The lineup still confuses me but we really found our form when our starters came on. A win here is MASSIVE, I feel pretty confident against Colorado at home *knock on wood* with our starters out there
Completely dumbfounded. 100% flabbergasted. How we pulled off a victory - against a Ligamx team - I have no such idea. But we did even with barely a shot on goal. For crying out loud, we don't score on corners. But we did. And by a cb whose performance this season has been on a downward trend. Unbelievable night. And it's dinner time in Hawaii. Pan fried gnocchi and italian stausage for everyone!
I don't know about a downward trend. He was utterly unplayable to start the season. I think he's been much better lately, without even counting today. The first goal was on him though.
If Phil wants to give us the best possible chance to win this match - Ayala and Moreno need to play. Otherwise, play for the draw as to not embarass ourselves.
tbf, every single person who comes here from other places looks at the spelling and says, "Clearly a French word." Much like "Yaquina" is obviously a Spanish word and pronounced Yah-kee-nah.
I really doubt it was that simple. Maybe. You don't get 13 assists with that kind of attitude. Maybe he misjudged his own position or thought the defender was going to slide over.
Regardless, brutal. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
So coaching to lose or get a draw? If Ayala is healthy to be on the bench, he should've started. As for the back line - it really is just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic at this point. I have a dumb unexplainable feeling of wanting to actually Surman in there. Just to see what he can do. Baptism by fire. After all, he can't be worse than Kamal "he can pass out of the back" Miller? Right?
I didn't know Ayala was healthy. Figured he was still a bit banged up... We definitely need him. Did you watch Surman yesterday in France? I didn't get a real feel for him. Hopefully he is fast.
Didn't watch Surman but I'm sure NZ's time in Paris will be relatively brief. Leagues Cup would actually not be a bad time to play him just to get mintues. Not sure he's even ready for that level and needs to go play T2 first. But yeah, hopefully reports gets back to us from France that he's reasonably fast and mobile.
Dunno but my guess is Neville is hopting to punt on this tournament and just return to the regular season. I just wish we tried harder to get more silverware. We have the mls up and the league is back title. That's it (for the mls era).
So how many times is Kamal Miller going to pass the ball directly to a Club León player? Did anybody tell him the Timbers are NOT wearing green tonight?
I didn't really watch him with Miami or any of his other teams but I kinda wondered why he was traded by all his teams. Maybe you've hit the reason why: giving the ball away to the enemy.
Good point. Guess Phil really really wanted the guy for his left foot. Passing out of the back, ha! With decisionmaking like his, the left foot is basically useless.
And lineup is out. Props to Nicholas who last week predicted that Kamal Miller would replace Bravo. And then there's Eric Miller. And McGraw. That's one slow back line. Ayala on bench - hmm. The lineup strikes me as Neville saying "we want to compete but we're not going to go full strength." Looks like the front 6 is going to have to carry us. Because I'm sure this back line is fully capable of spotting Leon a couple goals.
Ayala makes this team completely different. His ability to both win and progress the ball changes the dynamics so much.
He's really good.
I actually thought Eric looked better playing out of position last night. And Paredes was great last year though he's been disappointing this year.
But I think Ayala should be starting three matches out of every four. Great passer. So good at tackling that the referee thinks it's a foul every time. As Chara phases out and if a DP CM comes in, we could be in great shape up the spine.
Crazy how underrated he still is around the league and even among a few Timbers fans I see. He’s so goddamn good
Subs made a massive difference. I will never know why we started without Bravo and Mosquera out there, they both were huge. Ayala elevated the entire team when he came on, he was able to break the press so much easier and sparked several attacks. Moreno was awesome as well and a breath of fresh air after Antony was largely not great. The lineup still confuses me but we really found our form when our starters came on. A win here is MASSIVE, I feel pretty confident against Colorado at home *knock on wood* with our starters out there
Excellent adjustments throughout the match. Who had us notching two goals off of corners? I sure didn't. Very happy for Zach!
Completely dumbfounded. 100% flabbergasted. How we pulled off a victory - against a Ligamx team - I have no such idea. But we did even with barely a shot on goal. For crying out loud, we don't score on corners. But we did. And by a cb whose performance this season has been on a downward trend. Unbelievable night. And it's dinner time in Hawaii. Pan fried gnocchi and italian stausage for everyone!
I don't know about a downward trend. He was utterly unplayable to start the season. I think he's been much better lately, without even counting today. The first goal was on him though.
Road Win!
I regret that I only have one like to give!
Zac McGraw: Leagues Cup Golden Boot favorite.
It's gonna happen!
OMG! WTF! ZM!!!
Go for the hat trick Zach!!!
Two goals off two corners. Both scored by Zac McGraw. Wild. And I'll take it.
I for one did not have a McGraw brace on my bingo card
HOLY ZACCCCC
We have the momentum and pressure going our way now. Now we just need to figure out how to convert those chances into an actual shot on goal.
That last free kick was just one more indicator of not actually shooting on goal.
Zac knew what he was doing...
So Close FC
Please don’t send mabiala in… don’t sub anyone right now
Let's give Mabiala some respect. He was solid during his prime. Years ago he scored a brace at Seattle. How? Two header goals.
If Phil wants to give us the best possible chance to win this match - Ayala and Moreno need to play. Otherwise, play for the draw as to not embarass ourselves.
Leon are quite beatable. Road team just needs to finish a chance or three
Antony speed run then dispossed drinking game
Timbers channeling their inner Pachinko Machine
Kamal Miller must have pictures of Phil. That's my theory, anyway.
Okay we need to get Kamal out of there.
We could play Bravo. But he's not a surefire solution. Sophie's choice, indeed. Ugh.
Now we have Mosquera on one side and Kamal on the other.
Our problems are solved!
This defense's inability to stop attackers from getting behind it is unbelievable. Like we have a bunch of Agoos clones back there.
Hgb
Will a mett....
Lol, I said it wrong the first time I saw it too. I said it Will-eh-met-tay though
And nobody, from elsewhere or here, can agree on how to pronounce Coos Bay.
I pronounce it north bend! 😁
Time to play "Pronounce THIS Oregon name"!
Willamette
Chemeketa
Yachats
Philomath
Yaquina
Is it not just how it looks?
Do you pronounce it to rhyme with goose or to rhyme with ooze?
I've always heard it said like goose
Oregonian passive/aggressiveness will always come forward with geographical pronunciations
tbf, every single person who comes here from other places looks at the spelling and says, "Clearly a French word." Much like "Yaquina" is obviously a Spanish word and pronounced Yah-kee-nah.
Congrats on the baby. Can't count on a goal during gestation if you're a CB. Good for Zac.
Timbers with a nice road goal....
Wow. Backing away from the goal from the penalty spot. What a header!
I will say this for McGraw: I've always thought his heading skill was perhaps his strongest suit.
ZAC!!!
Williamson has a pulse!
Absolutely brilliant, goal-saving defensive intervention by...er...Evander.
Evander TOTALLY saw Rodriguez lining up that shot. Selfish.
Indeed. Should have left it for Jona to blast over the crossbar.
I really doubt it was that simple. Maybe. You don't get 13 assists with that kind of attitude. Maybe he misjudged his own position or thought the defender was going to slide over.
Regardless, brutal. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
Yah, maybe you are right, but I was responding to the announcer saying he didn't see Jonathon. He was basically running right at him.
It looked a bit like he got tunnel vision on that. He had goal fever.
Timbers moonshine drinking game
Wtf is Evander doing
Joined the game late. Any explanation for the shit lineup?
I'm guessing coach is being conservative because of Leon's overlapping fullbacks. Especially leaving Mosquera on the bench
So coaching to lose or get a draw? If Ayala is healthy to be on the bench, he should've started. As for the back line - it really is just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic at this point. I have a dumb unexplainable feeling of wanting to actually Surman in there. Just to see what he can do. Baptism by fire. After all, he can't be worse than Kamal "he can pass out of the back" Miller? Right?
key word: dumb. surman is at the olympics.
I didn't know Ayala was healthy. Figured he was still a bit banged up... We definitely need him. Did you watch Surman yesterday in France? I didn't get a real feel for him. Hopefully he is fast.
Didn't watch Surman but I'm sure NZ's time in Paris will be relatively brief. Leagues Cup would actually not be a bad time to play him just to get mintues. Not sure he's even ready for that level and needs to go play T2 first. But yeah, hopefully reports gets back to us from France that he's reasonably fast and mobile.
wait...first, you want him playing league's cup, then he needs time at t2?
Unclear how accurate it may be, but he was easily fotmobs highest rated NZ player yesterday and had a higher rating than plenty of the US starters.
Dunno but my guess is Neville is hopting to punt on this tournament and just return to the regular season. I just wish we tried harder to get more silverware. We have the mls up and the league is back title. That's it (for the mls era).
so much for your guess!
question: do you ever have anything positive to say?
Antony has been really terrible so far.
So how many times is Kamal Miller going to pass the ball directly to a Club León player? Did anybody tell him the Timbers are NOT wearing green tonight?
I didn't really watch him with Miami or any of his other teams but I kinda wondered why he was traded by all his teams. Maybe you've hit the reason why: giving the ball away to the enemy.
I did. He was always a liability as he is not only slow but he has poor judgment…. Miami was happy to let him
and Neville go
Good point. Guess Phil really really wanted the guy for his left foot. Passing out of the back, ha! With decisionmaking like his, the left foot is basically useless.
A yellow for heading the ball.....okie dokie
We'll get that one back, but the defense looks dodgy and we may have too many to make up.
I like the Pride fashion choice from Phil for League's Cup.
What on earth has happened to McGraw? No way your full back should not win that 50/50 ball against a much smaller player.
Barely even tried. Terrible.
It's like he's playing scared. He used to be such a beast.
Full on confidence issue. It's been clear ever since Neville first arrived. Makes you wonder about things
Yeah I’m pretty ok with his game tonight after all 🤣😂🤣
I'm just disappointed that the TA doesn't have a "Your Kit Looks Like NASCAR" chant
That's a hellava goal for the home team
Defense certainly didn't take long to fall asleep on the job. Looking at one cb turned fb. You know what? Canada can take him back.
K miller left his post!
We are we starting K Miller today?
One of the Leon substitutes apparently wears #235.
Probably indicates that his number is 35 and is a substitute (ie 2nd string). I've seen teams do that in other leagues.
Means an academy player
Well, I like our bench. Even Loria is in there.
Looks like everyone is there...
I don't like Kamal Miller as a left back. Maybe as an emergency back up, but Bravo is available.
Totally!
And lineup is out. Props to Nicholas who last week predicted that Kamal Miller would replace Bravo. And then there's Eric Miller. And McGraw. That's one slow back line. Ayala on bench - hmm. The lineup strikes me as Neville saying "we want to compete but we're not going to go full strength." Looks like the front 6 is going to have to carry us. Because I'm sure this back line is fully capable of spotting Leon a couple goals.
Portland Thorns vs Club Leon?
They’ll never know what hit them!