It’s a rematch of the 2021 MLS Cup final! Will this time turn out better for the Timbers? Well… with they way they’re playing it might actually be worse. But hey — either way you can chat through it in this thread!
Another poor 2nd half. Alas, its the roster composition that is killing us. There are players that should have been moved on at the end of last season and needs that weren't addressed.
No doubt that has hampered Gio, however we are years in to his reign and I still can't tell what his soccer playing philosophy is other than counter quickly and see if someone can wriggle through and score.
Correct. Several million in salary on the bench (huge signing misses) and a coach with no philosophy or system beyond “score more goals by counter attacking” with zero backup plan. This is generally why counter attack is plan B or C.
Just back from the match. I try to keep things positive - in posts at least. But I have completely lost it with the clown college MLS is running for officiating. I don't care for the foul language from the north end, but I understand it.
That moron allowed NY every advantage up to and including tackling Timbers on the counter. Then he threw two yellows at small fouls. He lectured Timbers players for telling him to call clear yellow cards.
I work hard and save money to watch footy and not the idiots we had Wednesday - which was the worst match since the Babacour Jalo fiasco some time back or the show we got tonight.
Rant over. It's a tough season. We're not very good. But it's impossible to play well 11 on 15.
I was frustrated with the officiating before Evander’s goal. Honestly I had to go to work, so turned it off then. The ref last night had clearly decided to focus on the Timbers only and lost the plot.
I think the perfect microcosm was Evander with the ball on the East sideline gets fouled 3 times by the same NYCFC player, the 3rd of which was the 2 handed grab and toss - yet he chose that moment to say nothing to the NYC player and run 30 yards the other way to jaw at Boli about something minor that happened two minutes earlier. That is just poor referee game management- you can do both, but you deal with the immediate issue first (in this case he didn’t deal with it at all, showing he was distracted).
I actually got about ten autographs - If you go around behind the stadium - past gate C down 20th st - before the game, you'll see a lineup of people, kids mostly, waiting for autographs and selfies.
The players park their cars in the lot opposite and stop to chat on their way into the park.
We really needed the W. Thanks to individual mistakes - one very BIG one, mind you - in total cost us the match. I actually thought we outplayed the Pigeons. But it doesn't matter. Nothing but frustration and disappointement right now.
And to be honest, no one else was really in position to challenge for the ball. What really bugs me - has been for years - is how flat footed we care on set pieces.
I’m at the game and it looks like Caliskan might replace Paredes at the start of the second half. Caliskan is warming up now. Not sure about Paredes’ injury. The ref stopped play for a head injury, but Paredes was cleared at the time.
Wonder if because we're also kinda thin at fullback? I mean, we are thin all along the back line - especially now that McGraw is away. An injury to Bravo could mean Rasmussen is next up. Maybe that's it...there are no other options.
But that's the problem, isn't it? We failed to upgrade the defense in the offseason. We didn't need to have Mabs on team. The lack of defensive depth is clearly a FO/Gio issue.
Mabs is still on the team because we failed to ship him out when his performance showed he was no longer capable of playing to the standard of the league. I do hope the new signing can put him out to pasture but I do have my suspecions.
I just hope this guy was just on a bad team and wasn't part of the reason they got relegated. Also given he's from a relegated team signing him smacks of cheapness.
Another poor 2nd half. Alas, its the roster composition that is killing us. There are players that should have been moved on at the end of last season and needs that weren't addressed.
No doubt that has hampered Gio, however we are years in to his reign and I still can't tell what his soccer playing philosophy is other than counter quickly and see if someone can wriggle through and score.
Correct. Several million in salary on the bench (huge signing misses) and a coach with no philosophy or system beyond “score more goals by counter attacking” with zero backup plan. This is generally why counter attack is plan B or C.
Just back from the match. I try to keep things positive - in posts at least. But I have completely lost it with the clown college MLS is running for officiating. I don't care for the foul language from the north end, but I understand it.
That moron allowed NY every advantage up to and including tackling Timbers on the counter. Then he threw two yellows at small fouls. He lectured Timbers players for telling him to call clear yellow cards.
I work hard and save money to watch footy and not the idiots we had Wednesday - which was the worst match since the Babacour Jalo fiasco some time back or the show we got tonight.
Rant over. It's a tough season. We're not very good. But it's impossible to play well 11 on 15.
I was frustrated with the officiating before Evander’s goal. Honestly I had to go to work, so turned it off then. The ref last night had clearly decided to focus on the Timbers only and lost the plot.
I think the perfect microcosm was Evander with the ball on the East sideline gets fouled 3 times by the same NYCFC player, the 3rd of which was the 2 handed grab and toss - yet he chose that moment to say nothing to the NYC player and run 30 yards the other way to jaw at Boli about something minor that happened two minutes earlier. That is just poor referee game management- you can do both, but you deal with the immediate issue first (in this case he didn’t deal with it at all, showing he was distracted).
Well at least there was a little spirit in them tonight.
That’s four goals in 8 games. And 1 point in two really favorable home matches. Pretty crappy year we got going.
So I show up at a timbers game with an Evander flag, he signs it, then plays a terrible game.
Then I leave town and miss the next game - and he starts as the top of the formation and scores.
Got it.
At least we got that tie we were cheering for on Wednesday!
We're # 10!!
I'm jealous he signed your flag, that is awesome. Please don't let a match performance color your enjoyment of that!
I actually got about ten autographs - If you go around behind the stadium - past gate C down 20th st - before the game, you'll see a lineup of people, kids mostly, waiting for autographs and selfies.
The players park their cars in the lot opposite and stop to chat on their way into the park.
Really a great experience.
1 pt. from 2 home games against Eastern Conference cellar dwellers. As I said weeks ago, but this time with emphasis: Season. Is. Through.
We really needed the W. Thanks to individual mistakes - one very BIG one, mind you - in total cost us the match. I actually thought we outplayed the Pigeons. But it doesn't matter. Nothing but frustration and disappointement right now.
Oh Santi...we're the gang that just can't shoot straight.
Yep. You've got to put that one on net at least.
Felipe Mora on!
We all knew Mabs would eventually do something that would lead the the equalizer.
Mosquera deserves blame too. On the free kick he was literally defending air.
And to be honest, no one else was really in position to challenge for the ball. What really bugs me - has been for years - is how flat footed we care on set pieces.
Yeah, thanks for that awful foul Mabs.
I’m at the game and it looks like Caliskan might replace Paredes at the start of the second half. Caliskan is warming up now. Not sure about Paredes’ injury. The ref stopped play for a head injury, but Paredes was cleared at the time.
Yes. Caliskan for Paredes.
Well thank god for that.
Anyone that could conceivably score a goal gets subbed out at 60. We needed a goal, but hadn’t looked close at all.
Atta boy! That's the way to finish! Good lord, I think we all fell asleep until Evander woke us up.
Nice shot Evander. Just what we need from him.
Why not Miller at CB? Mosquera's back and starting. Makes no sense to start Mabiala unless you literally have no other options.
Miller also played most of Wednesday
That's true, but still....
Wonder if because we're also kinda thin at fullback? I mean, we are thin all along the back line - especially now that McGraw is away. An injury to Bravo could mean Rasmussen is next up. Maybe that's it...there are no other options.
But that's the problem, isn't it? We failed to upgrade the defense in the offseason. We didn't need to have Mabs on team. The lack of defensive depth is clearly a FO/Gio issue.
Wait, there’s a name now?
Relegation player could be a cheap thing I guess, but it could also be a really great opportunity.
Wut
Timbers' ballyhooed CB signing is a player from a Dutch team that just got relegated. Virgil Van Dyke he ain't. I'd like to be optimistic, but.
https://theathletic.com/4637849/2023/06/24/miguel-araujo-portland-timbers-deal/
Call me Moreno, this was supposed to go on Deanna’s comment below. I missed badly.
Mabs can't cover JDM. We're gonna get killed there. Why is Mabs still on this team? Hopefully he's buried on the bench with the new signing coming.
Mabs is still on the team because we failed to ship him out when his performance showed he was no longer capable of playing to the standard of the league. I do hope the new signing can put him out to pasture but I do have my suspecions.
I just hope this guy was just on a bad team and wasn't part of the reason they got relegated. Also given he's from a relegated team signing him smacks of cheapness.
Ivacic and Mosquera back in and the rest are the usual suspects. Blanco not on the bench.