138 Comments

Oh, Seba. Maybe time to think of life after football.

Expand full comment

His contract is up at the end of the season, and my most fervent hope is that he announces his retirement with a few games to go, so he can get the sendoff he deserves at the last home game of the season. His name will be up there with Valeri's in a couple years, as it should be, but he really should wrap it up this season.

Expand full comment

Is he interested in coaching? Maybe scouting? I would like new personnel on the technical side that aren't fringe pros or never has beens or just folks with limited high level experience - cough cough looking at you, Shannon Murray and almost all of the Timbers academy staff.

Expand full comment
founding

no ty, we need fresh faces. New staff should be new

Expand full comment

Evander haters going quite for a bit

Expand full comment

Don’t understand the Evander hate. He’s our leading goal scorer and our most talented player. His body language isn’t always great and his work rate doesn’t compare to Chara and other legends but he’s our most talented player and I don’t think it’s close.

Expand full comment
Sep 3, 2023·edited Sep 3, 2023

I mean, dude just scored an amazing goal and his face and body language say the opposite. He was walking back to the center circle after the goal looking bored. Does that matter? At all? I have and will continue to argue that it absolutely does not, because he produces.

Expand full comment

That's how he has been after every goal. I'm guessing it's just his demeanor, not everyone has to run around screaming and doing cartwheels, he drew us level and wanted to get going again fast.

Expand full comment

Exactly my point! Body language is a terrible way to evaluate a player. Evander's body language does not correlate to his activity level at all.

Expand full comment

On this, you and I agree, for what it’s worth. Which isn’t much.

Expand full comment

Wait until he’s surrounded by better players. Then pass judgment.

Expand full comment

Part of it is I suspect the transfer fee; the other part is probably the body language. Personally, I blame coaching and FO before the player.

Expand full comment

For me, it’s the inconsistent effort.

When he is not engaged he is out of position. With defenders constantly aware of his place on the pitch, that makes defense easier for the opponent- and offense harder on his teammates.

Expand full comment

Yeah good point, the fee is a big part of it.

Expand full comment

We brought him on to score not dance! What’s wrong with a little class?

Expand full comment

If we could unlock him, watch out. I just have no idea what would turn on the light bulb for him.

Expand full comment

Better teammates

Expand full comment

And a defense that doesn't keep surrendering goals on a regular basis.

Expand full comment

He's likely spent his career playing for competent coaches who know what to do with him. Maybe the next guy will be able to level the team up

Expand full comment

We can only hope. But a competent coach probably means someone outside the league. Is our moron owner going to pony up? And is our FO capable enough of reognizing that we need an experience coach - which pretty much rules a domestic?

Expand full comment
founding

I dont get people like you. You sit here and denigrate the owner say how he has to leave. Where is his inspiration to please the fan base when they dump garbage on him? He worked hard to make both PTFC teams quality and fun to watch. And all he gets is dumped on. Yes, he made errors, we all do. Show a little grace, he is after all just a human trying to figure life out just like the rest of us.

Expand full comment

"He made errors" implies that he forgot to buy coffee for a team meeting when it was his turn. The "error" Paulson made was covering up and enabling sexual abuse. For YEARS.

Many people can't get past that, so maybe it's you who should "show a little grace" when people criticize him, because that criticism is coming from a very sincere place of disgust for who he is and what he did.

Expand full comment
founding

the douchebag coach had been abusing for years before he got here. MP had some knowledge of minor incidence that had happened here, but did not know the complete level of disgrace. what he knew was not good and many others knew more and did nothing. Based on his limited knowledge, he made a decision that in hindsight was an ERROR. Yes an error in judgement. If you have no errors in judgement then you this generations Mother Theresa. Look deep in your closet my friend.

Expand full comment

Well said! So many here are endlessly negative. It's been a tough year. It happens to teams. This team will get better with some roster changes in the off season.

Expand full comment

We need a DP who’s a difference maker. Has Evander made any contribution other than giving away the ball? How about Yimmi?

Expand full comment
founding

other than leading the team in goals and assists and generally being the only creative midfielder we have......?

Expand full comment
founding

Came back to find this comment after the second half so I could grin at it, lol 😆

Expand full comment

Our DP signings have been underwhelming lately. I’m still not ready to bail on Evander but the others haven’t been great.

Expand full comment
founding

That was a DP difference maker.

Expand full comment

100%. His goals this season have been bangers this season.

Expand full comment
founding

This game may be the bad uniform cup. I thought we played RSL earlier.

Expand full comment

Yes if Seattle is going to wear red can’t we wear green? The pink jerseys already have some bad memories attached to them for me.

Expand full comment

I didn't know RSL had two senior squads! How fortunate for them! -;)

Expand full comment

Are the Timbers that horrible where we now argue over kit colors?

Expand full comment

Winning team or losing team, that pink kit is absolutely atrocious. The best thing about this season is when it's over that kit will be gone. There is NOTHING about that pink kit that speaks Timbers. Timbers are green and gold (and white), period.

Expand full comment

Pink vs red . My eyes hurt

Expand full comment

I will take that point any day of the week. Still a lot going wrong but that was a fun little flurry there in the second half.

Expand full comment

Yes I will take it and it looked like the Timbers were satisfied with a draw as they didn’t push very hard the last 10 or so minutes

Expand full comment

yeah, and given the way they've been playing this season, and in the first half of this game, I can't fault them for that, really.

Expand full comment

Ok, that’s a contribution!

Expand full comment

Oh, shit Evander. Where's that been all game?

Expand full comment

Did these announcers just say that this is the old lady of rivalries Seattle vs Philadelphia

Expand full comment

yes. yes, they did.

Expand full comment
founding

These announcers are legitimately awful.

Expand full comment

Are you watching on Apple TV? If so, you can choose to listen to the local Timbers radio broadcast instead.

Expand full comment

I have done that a few times and it's an odd experience. The crowd noise is mostly muted, so it's a bit like watching the game with the sound turned off and a couple of guys talking.

Expand full comment

Max Bretos has been a horrible announcer since the old Fox Sports World days, and 30 years on he's no better.

Expand full comment

I want Jake back. He's picked up some bad habits since getting "promoted" to the Intermiami beat with Twellman. He needs to be rescued before it is too late. And we need to be spared Bretos' inane playcalling. Heck, he's almost as bad as Lalas.

Expand full comment
Sep 3, 2023·edited Sep 3, 2023

Or hell, Strong and Earle.

To think we had better commentary in 2011 than the entire MLS slate now...

Expand full comment

We really were spoiled back then.

Expand full comment

I wish we had expansion draft rules. We get poached, then we're exempt from next draft. Or compensated 500k in GAM or something. Or, to really carry this analogy forward, Strong has done a couple world cups now. We had the Landon Donovan of commentators.

Expand full comment

We should have gotten compensation for giving the league Jake. Who did we get in return? Bretos and Dunseth. And at times, Costigan. Should have also gotten extra Tam in addition to the GAM.

Expand full comment

I miss “homer” broadcasters. I don’t want objectivity. I looking for Bob Uecker/Harry Doyle level commentary.

Expand full comment

Another careless giveaway by Evander -- must be a Saturday.

Expand full comment

Great individual effort goal from Chu. Nice navel, too.

Expand full comment

The Cascadia cup only matters when we win it, right?

Expand full comment

and when Seattle and Vancouver draw in October, and the Timbers retain the cup, it will matter again!

Expand full comment

I think this draw gave the Whitecaps the cup. The Seattle Vancouver result doesn’t matter.

Expand full comment

Ah, my math was wrong then. Ah well.

Expand full comment

I'll miss Blanco....

Expand full comment

I already miss good Blanco.

Expand full comment

Let's get A stony in and see if we can squeeze Sea harder. Take advantage of being 11v10!

Expand full comment

HELL YES EVANDER

Expand full comment

that'll do!

Expand full comment

This is a sad time to be a fan of male professional sports teams in Portland.

Expand full comment

Is it?

Expand full comment

I think so. Others can disagree. But neither team making the playoffs is kind of a bummer.

Expand full comment

Why are we not bringing guys on? 3-5-2! We need attackers! 2-0 or 5-0 doesn’t matter

Expand full comment

Geez, I thought the foul might've been on McGraw. That's pretty harsh on Leo. Let's see if the Timbers can take advantage.

Expand full comment

I mean, I'll take it, but that...wasn't much of a foul by Chu? It's a good break for the Timbers though.

Expand full comment
founding

I’m confused if it was straight red or if it was a second yellow and he didn’t flash it properly. I was at the game and without a good view or the benefit of replays and commentary.

Expand full comment

Second yellow. His first was for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration.

Expand full comment

Oh, man, how'd that not go in?

Expand full comment

So well read by Paulo. Would have definitely changed the tenor of the second half.

Expand full comment

Oh no, we suck again!

Expand full comment

OMG that last defensive effort was shambolic and lucky it didn't end in a goal

Expand full comment

Hey remember how much fun Wednesday was? This is...not

Expand full comment

Time to sell the team to some millionaire in a flyover state!

Expand full comment

I live in a flyover state (Iowa), but I am not a millionaire, so that narrows down the field by one!

Expand full comment

What happened to the team from Wednesday night?!? Besides being way too casual on the ball, we are tootless in attack. As in nada, zero, zilch. So back to square one?!

Expand full comment

Game, set, match. Of course the streak would have to end sometime, but it still sucks. Especially since Flounders got an undeserved 3 points this week against Austin.

Expand full comment

Is one win against a terrible team really a streak though

Expand full comment

I meant the undefeated streak against Shittle.

Expand full comment

Everyone's touch is off,off,off

Expand full comment

Story of the season.

Expand full comment

Well, so much for Miller defending set pieces better than Bravo.

Expand full comment

I want to believe

Expand full comment

I'm stupidly optimistic before every Timbers game. I think Miller instead of Bravo will solidify our D for this game. Not something we should always do but still...

Expand full comment

I would like to see Bravo as a wingback - let's just admit he isn't really a fullback, anyway - with Miller or whoever backing him up at lb. If he's going to go AWOL, which he does cause his first instinct is to attack then there's a need for someone to cover in the back.

Expand full comment

Agree. I don't know what's happened to Bravo but he's way out of form.

Expand full comment

Intteresting choice of Miller over Bravo but there can be a case to be made that Miller indeed does solidify the backline as he's more conservative. Otoh, is Ivacic in the doghouse again? Or some unexplained injury? Seriously, please stop playing Bingham as his positioning reeks of Meola.

Expand full comment

ABSOLUTELY AGREE

Also thankfully zup and Mcgraw holding down the fort

Expand full comment

Glad to see McGraw back in as starter. Not sure what to make of Araujo as he's off to a rough start. Can he be a reliable rotation piece or part of a 352 going forward? Season's toast so maybe we should find out now rather than next year.

Expand full comment

#security blanket

Expand full comment

Good comeback and mentality. Something g that had been missing under gio. That second yellow was soft but I will take the point. I don't think we will make the playoffs, but atleast we don't have to watch h shit soccer to end the season. This team needs a revamp mentally and physically in the off-season. The goal from Evander was nice but he needs to impose himself more.

Expand full comment
Sep 3, 2023·edited Sep 3, 2023

Gio had an excellent record against Seattle. …or good and excellent lately. May be forgetting a 6-2 home loss.

I agree the yellow was soft. Didn’t Chu have a foot on foot early in the first half? Maybe that had something to do with it? Interesting turn of events.

Expand full comment

Persistence may have figured into it

Expand full comment

Wow, May 27, 2017 is an awful long time ago.

Expand full comment
founding

Can we all agree Evanders best position is not the 10?

Expand full comment

Seattle games never disappoint. They've had everything happen and luckily it's mostly happened in the Timbers favor. No way they get anything from this game without the red card. It's great.

Expand full comment

Great three minutes.

Expand full comment

I know we played up a man in the second half but it is theFlounders' own fault for blowing a 2-0 lead. We looked much better after Asprilla and Boli came in. I really wanted to see Antony in just to press for the win and get him some pt. But we did get a result. That's four points this week. We still have issues going forward but I liked the fact that we fought for the draw.

Expand full comment

Wow

Expand full comment

We’d be so good if we played 11 v 10 all the time!

Expand full comment

Boli - ok now we have some height

Expand full comment

God, we really don't look like we're up a man, do we

Expand full comment

Been a step slow all night, and that hasn't changed being up a man.

Expand full comment

So did we have a game plan going in to the match? Or are we back to tactics? Like what tactics?

Expand full comment

Maybe put Bravo in now? We need goals and Miller's useless going forward.

Expand full comment

Agreed. Coach should be taking risks here. Go back 3 and put on more attacking players.

Expand full comment

Antony? Do we want to see Antony?

Expand full comment

I do. Why not? We haven't seen him that much yet, and this game's toast anyway. Let's see what he can do.

Expand full comment

Keep your shirts on, kids.

Expand full comment

Yup. Rookie mistake. You only do that shit in the second half.

Expand full comment

It’s a roller coaster. 2 weeks ago we looked like crap. Wednesday, not great but improving, tonight... lost, without ideas.

Expand full comment

Oh man, that was a good effort.

Expand full comment

I like Eric Miller as a human and as a competent backup MLS defender but this isn’t great for him.

Expand full comment

not a good look for portland, but actually not a good look for RSL if you think about it!

Expand full comment

Cascadia Derby. - maybe the most important matches for both sides every season. We can't even show up, for crying out loud. It is the Fish and not RSL. Or did the guys just pretend the team in yellow on Wed was our main rival?

Expand full comment

I think this is a bit too critical. First, we have a habit of owning them in their house. So I don't believe it can be said that this is normal. Second, I honestly believe $hittle doesn't care about the Cascadia. Past performance indicates they only care if they literally have no they hardware to play for. otherwise, this is low on the priority list.

Expand full comment

Portland waking up a little bit, I'm not confident it'll last but at least they look like they're trying to play now.

Expand full comment