Portland’s last away day of the regular season sees them travel to Quebec with a chance to clinch a postseason spot. Come chat through it in the match thread!
WHO: Portland Timbers at CF Montreal
WHAT: MLS Matchday 36
WHERE: Stade Saputo | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
WHEN: kickoff at 4:30 p.m. PT, streaming on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (FREE)
What bothers me is we have an international center back, who has barely played since he got here. What's the deal with Araujo? Is there a plan for him? Is this another recruit who doesn't quite fit the system here (assuming we have a system)?
This is so simple. Like borderline insanity. I will explain it in the most basic terms.
WE CANNOT......LET ME REPEAT THAT........CANNOT..... have our outside backs pushing high up the field with a midfield 3 of Evander, Acosta, and Moreno. Neither Evander or Moreno are good defensively. Both players like to push up and leave space in the midfield for easy line breaking passes. Now imagine. You have Moreno pushing. Evander pushing. Outsidebacks pushing. And our front 3 poaching around the box. Paredes and chara give cover for a roaming Evander. Paredes and Acosta give cover for a roaming Moreno.
Evander and Moreno are not defense first 8's. they aren't great at ball winning. They occupy space, they don't close it down. Now that is not their fault. They play to there strengths. But that means that the first tactical plan (because we were without chara and Paredes and went attacking and transition heavy in the midfield) should have been to tell bravo and masquera to stay deeper and limit overlapping runs, if any. Miller would have been a better choice in this game scenario. Like I said in other posts. If you are going to play attacking first midfielders you need traditional outside backs, Playing a traditional role.
As an example.
4-3-3 can be played when two of the midfield three are defense first. Then you can allow wingbacks to push up and the two "defensive" minded players (defense minded means they think about defensive position first, rather than being offense first. Not that they are great at playing defense) will see that space being vacated and slide over to plug that gap. Neither Moreno or Evander do that. They always think offense first. Which means we should have told bravo and masquera to sit deeper and limit going forward. Especially when you have mabiala in the game. We all know he can't track back. He can step up but of he is beat on that step, it's like watching a baby chase a dog around the house. I can't believe MJ didn't keep the wingbacks back.
Miller over masquera. Changed the tactics. Kept us in a mid block and told bravo and Miller to sit back and cover the channels on counter attacks. Would have told Acosta to keep the game in front of him and told Evander and Moreno to have fun. Overlap when Antony or asprilla pinch inside. If Antony and asprilla stay wide, look to combine with mora through the middle. 5 back for counters. 5 allowed to attack up. It won't be pretty but it will be effective in slowing down the game and minimizing getting hurt on turnovers
You can play a 4-3-3 with two attacking fullbacks-see Man City/Liverppol. You have your defensive midfielder drop back, so your attacking formation is 3-4-3. You also need to have center backs who are comfortable defending out wide.
Exactly. That is why we got destroyed. We had players and tactics that literally player to their strengths. With no chara or Paredes, we should have played slow and maintained possession. Kept our formation and played for a 1-0 win. Instead, we gave up space for them to destroy us on the counter. Completely wrong tactics all around
I will say, though, there were individual errors that led to goals (ie Zup lollygagging on the first goal and keeping Montreal onsides, or missed tackles leading to the second goal, or Mosquera playing some stupid pass unpressured blah blah blah.
Oh I agree that there were individual errors. However, how many of those individual errors would have been mitigated had players been in better positions coming of of turnovers and quick counters. That's why it is so important to have midfielders in position to break up those opportunities. Something we lacked. It put us in a lot of bad situations.
This game reminds me of the Hou match. We came out flat and got killed. Against LAG, we relaxed and let them back in after Paredes went down. I mentioned that we needed work on our being composed and focused for a full 90. Today we didn't do anything of the sort. This match does indicate to me that MJ still needs development before he can be a head coach. Just not sure we are the right place for him to get that first gig. We actually ned a more expereinced hand. And since our owner comes with baggage, might as well look for a coach with a bit of history? How about Miguel Herrera?
I managed to watch it until we were down 3-0. Then I had to skip forward to see if there were any PTFC goals at all. I normally stick it out, not this time. It is harder to watch us getting served like that when there's been such good performance lately. Ohhhh that was rough. I don't see any positives. At least it wasn't 4-0
? He wasn’t benched, he’s coming back from an injury. He wasn’t playing more than 45 minutes regardless of what happened in the first half. He was one of our best players
Yes let’s see how they come out against Houston. How a team comes out after a bad loss will be a character indicator and how ready the coach gets them with some time to prepare.
The Timbers don't get pissed off when they are getting their butts kicked. I'm used to seeing teams start to play a little more physical in retaliation. Where's the pride?
Disagree. The back line has been playing better overall since Gio was fired. There is a difference today but I don't want to name it because we all know it's just JDM's fault.
And given that mls is an inferior league with inferior talent, what makes you think the likes of Villa or even Birmingham will give him an asst job? Other than being an old boy? Besides, he's the assistant that just got here (started just this season). If anyone should go, it's probably the other guys. Though MJ...we'll see after this season.
Actually we've been better at set pieces as of late. As Jedi noted, there's been an improvement. And there was one difference in the lineup and the result was..predictable.
I wish it were a local company. At least it isn't as bad as the Rose Festival being renamed the "Southwest Airlines Floral Parade" with the "Pepsi waterfront"
He happens to be one of my favorite players, but not at RW. If we want to play him RWB then we need to play 3 CBs to cover for his inability to track backward.
If we let him sit at home, yes. Asking a senior citizen to constantly sprint the field is hilarious. I’m not saying or implying that Mabs is some sort of savior. I’m not delusional. My point is simply that he’s not the reason for defensive collapse the way people make him out to be. Look at Thiago Silva. Maybe one of the best defenders in the premier league at like 40 years old because Chelsea lets him play a role that suits him- centrally, slowly, orchestrating switches and swings. Mabs is no Silva, by miles and miles, but we don’t have to constantly ask him to play in a system that isn’t even remotely suited to him.
Well, we were probably headed that way even if we did make it. Some results went our way in the last week or so to allow us to make the jump. Paredes going down might have been the final straw. Otoh, just real disappointing that we came out flat like we did today. No excuses.
Anyone else in favor of subbing out Mabs? Maybe Bravo given he looks like on the verge of collapse. And maybe sit Bingham just to see if Sulte has made any porgression. Otherwise, how long til Diego can play again?
None of those things make my sense to me. Tactical change to let bravo defend, instead of playing him as an overlap winger with Antony seems the best bet. Miller for Mosquera would be wonderful, though.
JDM has a higher ceiling than Miller, to be quite frank. He does need development but the reward wuld be sweet. Playing Miller now is just a stopgap solution, really. There's no upside to him. If the rumors are true about roster rules being changed and maybe adding a DP slot or whatever, Eric's probably toast in the near future. He's just keeping the seat warm until the guy with better upside is ready to take over full time.
And the only way he gets good is if he plays.. But if we give Miller more pt on the premise that he's better now than the guy who is a better player than him in may respects will never reach his potential. If we were maybe chasing the supporter's shield, eetc. than maybe I would understand. But with oour position in the table might as well play the kid.
I mean, JDM is so much better than Eric Miller it's almost comical. Miller's a replacement level MLS guy - nothing wrong with that, teams need those guys - and JDM is a rising star who's constantly improving and won't be here more than another season if he keeps this level up.
I mean, we could play the small sample size cherry-picking game all night. That doesn't change the fact that JDM is, overall, a much better player than Eric Miller.
JDM is a fucking terrible defender, but a fairly solid midfielder. If we’re getting smoked on the wings, it’s a great idea. That’s why we keep winning when he’s on the pitch.
Two games ago Mabiala was man of match. This comment section being an echo chamber of hate for him is as annoying as it is exhausting. JDM has no close down defense at all. It constantly draws our CBs to the outside to cover for him and then he doesn’t overlap and hold down the middle. Bravo playing under MJ has had the same issue. Both of these things, combined with having absolutely zero presence at CDM, means it really doesn’t matter who is in there at CB. McGraw looked like absolute hell last game. Both he and Zup did. We just happened to squeak by with barely enough offense to make up for horseshit defending.
it's possible for a bad player to have a good game. Happens all the time. Also as you point out, it's possible for good players to have bad games.
Overall, Mabiala is not good enough for this team. It's not an "echo chamber of hate" if it's warranted (and for what it's worth, I don't "hate" him, I just don't want him on the team next year).
It’s an echo chamber of knee jerk reactions anchored by 12 hour memories, then. McGraw has not warranted the praise given him this year. He lost A LOT to last year. Under MJ we’ve constantly employed “Bingham plays the ball to McGraw, who immediately commits a shit pass and turns the ball over.” His marking is hilarious. My point is that we look like this regardless of who is back there, so saying “it’s Mabiala’s fault” is just laughable (but predictable).
12 hour memories? Look, no one here hates Mabs. I agree with Dee - don't want him here next season. Hell, he shouldn't have even been here this season. He doesn't fit this team nor this league anymore. It is 2023 not 2017.
Exactly. Don't hate Mabiala in the slughtest. Seems like a really good dude. When I express frustation with a player who's not (or no longer) good enough, he's the subject of the criticism, in a sense, but not the target. The real targets are coach and/or GM who insist on playing or retaining him. They're the real subject of my ire.
Did you tell your ticket rep the exact reason(s) you're not renewing? If Iwere a sth I'd list all the reasons why they're not getting any more money from me. Whether it is roster spending, head coach, etc.
I don't think anyone even knows the exact reason he got suspended in the first place other than saying something inappropriate - whatever that means. Like noboody wants to say exactly what he said. I think some Revs fans suspect a coup by Richie Williams and Curt Onalfo.
That said, Bruce is a geezer and he probably just wants to spend time with his family rather than deal with further mls hijinks.
So what happened to the team from last week? We've already given up two goals to one of the weakest teams in the East - with a playoff berth on the line. We've reverted back to bad old Timbers. What gives? Besides Mabs playing and being down one D Chara.
I am never going to point a finger at one player in isolation, because we all know that's not how this game works, but Mabiala starting is never a good idea.
O wow we got plundered.
I count 8 games where we got plundered this year (gave up 3-5 goals in a game).
What bothers me is we have an international center back, who has barely played since he got here. What's the deal with Araujo? Is there a plan for him? Is this another recruit who doesn't quite fit the system here (assuming we have a system)?
This is so simple. Like borderline insanity. I will explain it in the most basic terms.
WE CANNOT......LET ME REPEAT THAT........CANNOT..... have our outside backs pushing high up the field with a midfield 3 of Evander, Acosta, and Moreno. Neither Evander or Moreno are good defensively. Both players like to push up and leave space in the midfield for easy line breaking passes. Now imagine. You have Moreno pushing. Evander pushing. Outsidebacks pushing. And our front 3 poaching around the box. Paredes and chara give cover for a roaming Evander. Paredes and Acosta give cover for a roaming Moreno.
Evander and Moreno are not defense first 8's. they aren't great at ball winning. They occupy space, they don't close it down. Now that is not their fault. They play to there strengths. But that means that the first tactical plan (because we were without chara and Paredes and went attacking and transition heavy in the midfield) should have been to tell bravo and masquera to stay deeper and limit overlapping runs, if any. Miller would have been a better choice in this game scenario. Like I said in other posts. If you are going to play attacking first midfielders you need traditional outside backs, Playing a traditional role.
As an example.
4-3-3 can be played when two of the midfield three are defense first. Then you can allow wingbacks to push up and the two "defensive" minded players (defense minded means they think about defensive position first, rather than being offense first. Not that they are great at playing defense) will see that space being vacated and slide over to plug that gap. Neither Moreno or Evander do that. They always think offense first. Which means we should have told bravo and masquera to sit deeper and limit going forward. Especially when you have mabiala in the game. We all know he can't track back. He can step up but of he is beat on that step, it's like watching a baby chase a dog around the house. I can't believe MJ didn't keep the wingbacks back.
So what in your opinion would have been a better starting lineup, given condition and availability?
Miller over masquera. Changed the tactics. Kept us in a mid block and told bravo and Miller to sit back and cover the channels on counter attacks. Would have told Acosta to keep the game in front of him and told Evander and Moreno to have fun. Overlap when Antony or asprilla pinch inside. If Antony and asprilla stay wide, look to combine with mora through the middle. 5 back for counters. 5 allowed to attack up. It won't be pretty but it will be effective in slowing down the game and minimizing getting hurt on turnovers
I like your analysis except Moreno is excellent at ball winning. EXCELLENT. He's incredible in the counter press or even 1 v 1 winning back the ball.
You can play a 4-3-3 with two attacking fullbacks-see Man City/Liverppol. You have your defensive midfielder drop back, so your attacking formation is 3-4-3. You also need to have center backs who are comfortable defending out wide.
Yes and so could we, with defense first chara and Paredes in the game. I think you missed the point I was making
Making this all the worse today? The counter is Montreal’s bread and butter.
Exactly. That is why we got destroyed. We had players and tactics that literally player to their strengths. With no chara or Paredes, we should have played slow and maintained possession. Kept our formation and played for a 1-0 win. Instead, we gave up space for them to destroy us on the counter. Completely wrong tactics all around
can't rec this enough
I will say, though, there were individual errors that led to goals (ie Zup lollygagging on the first goal and keeping Montreal onsides, or missed tackles leading to the second goal, or Mosquera playing some stupid pass unpressured blah blah blah.
Oh I agree that there were individual errors. However, how many of those individual errors would have been mitigated had players been in better positions coming of of turnovers and quick counters. That's why it is so important to have midfielders in position to break up those opportunities. Something we lacked. It put us in a lot of bad situations.
Well, yeah. So that happened.
This game reminds me of the Hou match. We came out flat and got killed. Against LAG, we relaxed and let them back in after Paredes went down. I mentioned that we needed work on our being composed and focused for a full 90. Today we didn't do anything of the sort. This match does indicate to me that MJ still needs development before he can be a head coach. Just not sure we are the right place for him to get that first gig. We actually ned a more expereinced hand. And since our owner comes with baggage, might as well look for a coach with a bit of history? How about Miguel Herrera?
They just showed that Portland had a higher expected goals number. Hard to believe that.
I don't intend to ever speak about this game again. The only positive thing that happened was ruining their clean sheet.
I managed to watch it until we were down 3-0. Then I had to skip forward to see if there were any PTFC goals at all. I normally stick it out, not this time. It is harder to watch us getting served like that when there's been such good performance lately. Ohhhh that was rough. I don't see any positives. At least it wasn't 4-0
And Evander getting benched.
? He wasn’t benched, he’s coming back from an injury. He wasn’t playing more than 45 minutes regardless of what happened in the first half. He was one of our best players
I was hoping he got benched for lack of effort...
I hope this cools the Miles Joseph is the next coach talk. His hot streak came crashing down tonight.
I'd still take Miles over the rest of that list.
RIght? coaches fired from bottom table teams, and one who made a joke about beating his wife?
I mean, it's one bad game where we played Mabs. Let's see how they respond.
I was surprised to see him starting, what's up with that?
Yes let’s see how they come out against Houston. How a team comes out after a bad loss will be a character indicator and how ready the coach gets them with some time to prepare.
High stakes game at home against a team that skewered them last meeting, could be the last game of the season, I bet they step up.
The Timbers don't get pissed off when they are getting their butts kicked. I'm used to seeing teams start to play a little more physical in retaliation. Where's the pride?
Afraid Ridgy hasn't had the impact we hoped for on the back..let him go be an ass't for Villa or Birmingham
Disagree. The back line has been playing better overall since Gio was fired. There is a difference today but I don't want to name it because we all know it's just JDM's fault.
And given that mls is an inferior league with inferior talent, what makes you think the likes of Villa or even Birmingham will give him an asst job? Other than being an old boy? Besides, he's the assistant that just got here (started just this season). If anyone should go, it's probably the other guys. Though MJ...we'll see after this season.
But you'd think by now that he could have gotten them organized for set pieces. They are just so lost out there...
Actually we've been better at set pieces as of late. As Jedi noted, there's been an improvement. And there was one difference in the lineup and the result was..predictable.
After watching tonight's game and the LA game, I just can't imagine how we are better at set pieces.
Psst… it’s because we’re not better, lol
Miserable, uninspiring soccer. Soft defense, bad passes, hard feet, losing most 50/50 balls.
I thought Montreal might be a little flat after playing a midweek game.
Maybe unfair but that's 2 lapses from OM, and #29 played too loose and allowed the cross
Who is OM?
Ouch..EM
Bingham was the only one to run towards that loose ball. The. Only. One.
And let's just pile on: Alaska Air isn't renewing sponsorship of Timbers next season. Maybe it was the pink jerseys. But everyone knows why: MP.
I'm tired of that damn logo anyway. Can't they get a local corporate sponsor? Intel?
Is that true? If so, not good at all. Does MP even have a clue as to how he's hurting the team?
https://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/2023/10/alaska-airlines-ending-sponsorship-deal-with-portland-timbers-after-13-years.html
Maybe it'll be a cannabis company😉
I wish it were a local company. At least it isn't as bad as the Rose Festival being renamed the "Southwest Airlines Floral Parade" with the "Pepsi waterfront"
So is Montreal making playoffs? Seems like they might beat out Miami.
Any truth to Messi leaving Miami if they don't make playoffs? There's some word that he's wanting to go back to Barca.
I don't know what hot garbage looks like but I'm guessing it looks like how we're playing
Bubble had to burst at some point, right? But OM didn't help him at all
Too much space, and come on Bingham. Gotta protect that side.
Still, hell of a shot.
Without somebody, anybody, narrowing that angle he was a dead duck.
yeah, I'm not sure there's much Bingham could have done about that. There was no defending to close him down, but that shot was damn good.
Where is our midfield on that goal?
Chara was on the other side covering for JDM
Oh look, you found a way to blame JDM.
He happens to be one of my favorite players, but not at RW. If we want to play him RWB then we need to play 3 CBs to cover for his inability to track backward.
And if you think Mabs can play in a 352?
If we let him sit at home, yes. Asking a senior citizen to constantly sprint the field is hilarious. I’m not saying or implying that Mabs is some sort of savior. I’m not delusional. My point is simply that he’s not the reason for defensive collapse the way people make him out to be. Look at Thiago Silva. Maybe one of the best defenders in the premier league at like 40 years old because Chelsea lets him play a role that suits him- centrally, slowly, orchestrating switches and swings. Mabs is no Silva, by miles and miles, but we don’t have to constantly ask him to play in a system that isn’t even remotely suited to him.
You're comparing Mabs to Thiago Silva? Dear God!
It was his bad pass that started the break and he was way forward
Nobody came out to pick up the shooter. Ugh.
The party's over, over, over.Definitely not their night.
Nobody's running behind the D to receive a pass, leaving the only option for defenders to drive the baseline
Looks like we're settling for #9 slot (if we're lucky)
Well, we were probably headed that way even if we did make it. Some results went our way in the last week or so to allow us to make the jump. Paredes going down might have been the final straw. Otoh, just real disappointing that we came out flat like we did today. No excuses.
Glad to see coach sub out evander..he was virtually invisible..no hustle or creativity
Chara's in there to prevent MTL from scoring three more goals. Evander didn't have a great game, but name me one Timber tonight that has.
I thought Antony was solid. At least he showed some life. And they subbed him out...
SAving him for the playoffs?
Anyone else in favor of subbing out Mabs? Maybe Bravo given he looks like on the verge of collapse. And maybe sit Bingham just to see if Sulte has made any porgression. Otherwise, how long til Diego can play again?
Miller? He’s subbing in.
None of those things make my sense to me. Tactical change to let bravo defend, instead of playing him as an overlap winger with Antony seems the best bet. Miller for Mosquera would be wonderful, though.
Miller for JDM is never the play. Ever. You may as well wave the white flag.
I think you have a blind spot where JDM is concerned...
JDM has a higher ceiling than Miller, to be quite frank. He does need development but the reward wuld be sweet. Playing Miller now is just a stopgap solution, really. There's no upside to him. If the rumors are true about roster rules being changed and maybe adding a DP slot or whatever, Eric's probably toast in the near future. He's just keeping the seat warm until the guy with better upside is ready to take over full time.
I totally agree. JDM should be a good player some day.
And the only way he gets good is if he plays.. But if we give Miller more pt on the premise that he's better now than the guy who is a better player than him in may respects will never reach his potential. If we were maybe chasing the supporter's shield, eetc. than maybe I would understand. But with oour position in the table might as well play the kid.
I mean, JDM is so much better than Eric Miller it's almost comical. Miller's a replacement level MLS guy - nothing wrong with that, teams need those guys - and JDM is a rising star who's constantly improving and won't be here more than another season if he keeps this level up.
Aaaaand JDM gets torched on the wing for the 5th time this game.
I mean, we could play the small sample size cherry-picking game all night. That doesn't change the fact that JDM is, overall, a much better player than Eric Miller.
I don't care about how good he will be some day. We need players that perform now.
Sure. There is a reason he will be sold to Europe and Miller is a MLS replacement level player. I'm the one with the blind spot.
We'll see about Europe. If he's not good enough to play defense in the MLS how do you think he'll do in Europe?
JDM is a fucking terrible defender, but a fairly solid midfielder. If we’re getting smoked on the wings, it’s a great idea. That’s why we keep winning when he’s on the pitch.
Man, Quioto has been a Timbers killer over the years.
Two games ago Mabiala was man of match. This comment section being an echo chamber of hate for him is as annoying as it is exhausting. JDM has no close down defense at all. It constantly draws our CBs to the outside to cover for him and then he doesn’t overlap and hold down the middle. Bravo playing under MJ has had the same issue. Both of these things, combined with having absolutely zero presence at CDM, means it really doesn’t matter who is in there at CB. McGraw looked like absolute hell last game. Both he and Zup did. We just happened to squeak by with barely enough offense to make up for horseshit defending.
#29 wants to be a no- defense winger..what to do?
it's possible for a bad player to have a good game. Happens all the time. Also as you point out, it's possible for good players to have bad games.
Overall, Mabiala is not good enough for this team. It's not an "echo chamber of hate" if it's warranted (and for what it's worth, I don't "hate" him, I just don't want him on the team next year).
It’s an echo chamber of knee jerk reactions anchored by 12 hour memories, then. McGraw has not warranted the praise given him this year. He lost A LOT to last year. Under MJ we’ve constantly employed “Bingham plays the ball to McGraw, who immediately commits a shit pass and turns the ball over.” His marking is hilarious. My point is that we look like this regardless of who is back there, so saying “it’s Mabiala’s fault” is just laughable (but predictable).
12 hour memories? Look, no one here hates Mabs. I agree with Dee - don't want him here next season. Hell, he shouldn't have even been here this season. He doesn't fit this team nor this league anymore. It is 2023 not 2017.
I don’t want him here either, but he isn’t the problem. This game looks the same if Zac is in there.
Exactly. Don't hate Mabiala in the slughtest. Seems like a really good dude. When I express frustation with a player who's not (or no longer) good enough, he's the subject of the criticism, in a sense, but not the target. The real targets are coach and/or GM who insist on playing or retaining him. They're the real subject of my ire.
Great points. Plus our #8 doesn't defend.
Solid reminder that he’s technically on the field…
It's the Gio disease, and Miles can't shake it — playing fullbacks too far up pitch. Why against a team that relies on the counter to score?
We look like we partied too much between games and figure we could just roll over this guys. Well, we've rolled over alright.
Must've gone to St Viateur's Bagels for lunch today, carb hangover.
Somebody should tell them they are in another country not another planet.
Right?
To add on top of our defensive lapses...Bingham hasn't been great either. Feels like he could have done more.
Edit: Yes, I get the 2nd was a deflection, but in the lead up he was too stationary. And I was talking about both goals.
Bingham is what he is, and this is what he is. Expecting more is just going to lead to disappointment. I really don't want to see him here next year.
That 2nd goal was deflected off Zup, Bingham didn't have a chance.
The second goal was a deflection off of a defender. He was already going the other way. No chance.
Zup deflected that, there’s nothing he can do there
defense has no desire to man-up around the box. Inexcusable to be caught ball-watching repeatedly while down 0-2
They look like they've given up. C'mon halftime.
Shooting gallery..blow the f'g whistle
I hope we acquire the first new head coach to require the the team to play defense. To much frustration over the years.
So far our list of head coach candidates is making me glad to not have renewed my season tickets. Very disappointed.
It's terrible. You can at least hope they find someone who doesn't have baggage. Are you getting Thorns season tickets instead?
Did you tell your ticket rep the exact reason(s) you're not renewing? If Iwere a sth I'd list all the reasons why they're not getting any more money from me. Whether it is roster spending, head coach, etc.
So did I....lack of direction, not fun to watch, front office and ownership issues
I did. It was a long detailed list.
(at least nobody's suggested Bruce Arena yet)
Now that's funny. One of my friends at the Thorns game made the same joke.
I don't think anyone even knows the exact reason he got suspended in the first place other than saying something inappropriate - whatever that means. Like noboody wants to say exactly what he said. I think some Revs fans suspect a coup by Richie Williams and Curt Onalfo.
That said, Bruce is a geezer and he probably just wants to spend time with his family rather than deal with further mls hijinks.
and yes I know he's like suspended or whatever but you know someone's thought it might be a good idea
Not suspended anymore — he quit.
I agree they discussed it for sure.
Bravo looks sedated
So what happened to the team from last week? We've already given up two goals to one of the weakest teams in the East - with a playoff berth on the line. We've reverted back to bad old Timbers. What gives? Besides Mabs playing and being down one D Chara.
I think that's enough.
I am never going to point a finger at one player in isolation, because we all know that's not how this game works, but Mabiala starting is never a good idea.
Never? If you've got money on the other team, it's a GREAT idea
Am I crazy or did they flip Zup and Mabs...and why?
Bravo looked gassed on that goal. Too early for that.
Well that was bullshit defending.
Gqme over. As much as they miss Chara, Mabiala for McGraw is the fatal blow. Zup desperately trying to cover fir Mabs and failing completely.
Guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks...was kinda hopeful Ridgy's coaching would mean he would stay back a bit more.
*Timbers defending
SWIWS
#30 for MON has missed 3 now..meanwhile, Evander needs some hustle and to show more for his mates
Stop playing such a high line, already!! And someone tell Mabs to stay back...way back. Actually just tell the whole back line to stay back.
yeah, the high line is absolutely killing them. And I'm not sure why they can't see that or aren't getting yelled at about it.
Seems like Ridgy would know better
Zup - oops. But also a failure to close down wide...again.
Zup always drops too early leaving people onside.
I am not a shout at the TV kind of person but...I kinda shouted at the TV on that mess.
Not great by the back line. Not great.
Mabiala too slow. In other news, water is wet
We lack team speed.
absolutely shambolic and Zup's last minute slide would have just resulted in an OG anyway.
Maybe he's offside but that's a great counter.
well, poop
Have we ever played decent in the pink/red jersey? It's like a curse.
TIL Ariel Lassiter is Roy Lassiter's kid.
/themoreyouknow dot gif
No idea why that wasn't a card. Two handed shove in the back as retaliation.