Timbers haven't clinched a "playoff berth" . They've clinched the ridiculous, participation trophy play-in game to decide who gets to be cannon fodder for the top seed in the west. It's a crass, money-grab game to unjustly reward mediocre teams, and should not count as making the playoffs.
But I bet you the FO will take it. If we do get the participation play in match, Neville will say that we're aren't satisfied with how we finished the regular season and that the match cold be a jump start for next year. Whatever. I co-sign about the play-in not being part of the playoffs. Just let the offseason begin so we can rebuild - finally! Hopefully?! - the roster.
Would like to see Rodriguez go to the end line more. He had great success with that earlier in the season, but he is always cutting inside now into a traffic jam.
Oh they parked the bus to be sure. But that’s going to happen sometimes and we need to drill for it. There were also times when we penetrated but took too many touches. I don’t necessary blame coaching for players doing that but it’s odd to see multiple players try to walk it in and get blocked or dispossessed. I think Neville’s actually said something about being more brave or decisive in the box, so I don’t think he wants them overthinking it. But they don’t have a plan B. That’s more on him and/or Dave I think. I’ve gathered that Neville decided on the strategy, tactics, and identity. It’s up to him the other coaches to help the players implement it successfully, and the players to execute.
Sometimes it is on the players. Sometimes the players physically can’t do what is expected. Sometimes it’s so against their disposition and past experience that it’s a bill battle to get them to adapt. In those cases, you look to get different players. We have players who aren’t bad but they don’t fit. My problem is Neville wants to both ways. He says the players we have are good enough but blames their attitudes for us not succeeding. But the locker room is great? Or if it isn’t, that’s not on Neville. But the players are good enough except for some bad attitudes. It’s just inconsistent and contradictory to me.
We’re also somewhat predictable in our shape because we don’t alternate our fullbacks enough, we get narrow, and we rarely get two central midfielders forward. I’m wary of sending Bravo or Ayala/Williamson/Paredes up much of the time because it’s clear the team doesn’t communicate and coordinate enough to take that defensive risk. Chara essentially plays as a sweeper. The other central defensive midfielder has to partner with him to cover the space between attacking midfield and that left behind Mosquera when he doesn’t track back. With Rodriguez and Moreno both tending to tuck in, the midfield gets congested too, so there isn’t even room for another midfielder to get forward. We do miss those late runs into the box though. Transitioning through midfield has been a statistical and observable problem that Neville flat out denied.
We have real limitations in terms of how fast the CBs are and how good they and the keepers are with the ball at their feet. It’s risky to play a high line with this roster. But there’s no acknowledgment of that and little is consistently done to mitigate it besides sometimes benching Bravo and Williamson. Mosquera getting better about tracking back helps.
We also don’t consistently press enough. Our off-the-ball movement is sometimes nonexistent until we’ve advanced the ball enough. We aren’t good enough about closing passing channels. We don’t mark set pieces well. We continue to leave the far post and top of the box under-defended.
Other teams must know about a lot of our weaknesses and tendencies. Isolate Jona. Get in behind Mosquera. Force Antony to use his left foot. Run up behind Williamson as he’s receiving the ball and pick it off him. Foul foul foul. Chip Crepeau. I know I’m forgetting some things.
Well now, we have ourselves quite the predicament. Our team seems to have hit a wall (not just the one that closes off the goal). I have appreciated the effort this year and the performances of many of our players. Other teams bang on us which seems to take the steam out of the team. Most teams seem to have taller players than we do. Is that even true and if it is, is it even an issue? I continue to like Pentemis' game a lot more than Maxi's. 5 clean sheets for the former and one for the latter. This business about distribution I don't really get. What matters to me is who can stop shots better. I think its Pantemis. I think the team is ready to be done with this year. It would be a nice thing to beat Seattle just because. As I've said before, I'd rather see the team lose on the road in the play in than pay extra to watch them lose at home.
For me, the business about distribution is if it's a tie-breaker. All else being equal, Crepeau having better distribution means he starts. If the other team immediately gets the ball back after a goal kick and can quickly start what's effectively a counter against our disorganized and slow backline, that's bad. If Crepeau isn't distributing well or his other qualities are lagging, there isn't a meaningful distinction and Pantemis gets a look. Before I decide between the two though, I'd look at the opponents, home vs away, and game state, at least. Both of them have to deal with a changing backline and questionable tactics that make them more vulnerable. Pantemis kept us in the game tonight. I think he earns a start against Seattle.
Rodriguez had a real stinker today. If he has even an average game they might have had a chance at scoring. Evander cannot do it by himself except sometimes when he can. Not today though.
Co-sign. I thin k we got 3 points out of a possible fifteen from the last 5 matches of the season. After the Rapids loss, we sorta stalled. The stakes were clear and we failed to meet the challenge.
Miller & Moreno off...for possibly the last time this season. Ok with me if Kamal gets traded/taken by San Diego or any other team. Santi needs to work this offseason on a bunch of things, like positioning and ball control.
Rodriguez has been off the past few games, heavy first touches, too much pussyfooting, one pass too many, just… off. Was hoping Antony would sub him instead of Moreno tonight.
It''s an interesting debate: Crepeau vs Pantemis. Max backstopped Canada to that 4th place Copa America finish; Pantemis is the current no. 2 to his no. 1 at the Timbers though he doesn't seem to be in the CMNT picture. I'm guessing the distribution is what's separating both of them. Neville wants to pass out of the back; that could be the reason Pantemis isn't the regular starter. Could be the same with Canada though I don't know Marsch's current thinking.
Pantemis has been saving our bacon.
Timbers haven't clinched a "playoff berth" . They've clinched the ridiculous, participation trophy play-in game to decide who gets to be cannon fodder for the top seed in the west. It's a crass, money-grab game to unjustly reward mediocre teams, and should not count as making the playoffs.
But I bet you the FO will take it. If we do get the participation play in match, Neville will say that we're aren't satisfied with how we finished the regular season and that the match cold be a jump start for next year. Whatever. I co-sign about the play-in not being part of the playoffs. Just let the offseason begin so we can rebuild - finally! Hopefully?! - the roster.
Would like to see Rodriguez go to the end line more. He had great success with that earlier in the season, but he is always cutting inside now into a traffic jam.
His multiple touches are killing us. Maybe after the second or third time it doesn’t work, try shooting with your left foot.
Everyone in the attack is taking too many touches. What changed? It's a recent development, it seems?
Perhaps the opps have tightened up their defence line and our attackers aren't able to penetrate it?
Oh they parked the bus to be sure. But that’s going to happen sometimes and we need to drill for it. There were also times when we penetrated but took too many touches. I don’t necessary blame coaching for players doing that but it’s odd to see multiple players try to walk it in and get blocked or dispossessed. I think Neville’s actually said something about being more brave or decisive in the box, so I don’t think he wants them overthinking it. But they don’t have a plan B. That’s more on him and/or Dave I think. I’ve gathered that Neville decided on the strategy, tactics, and identity. It’s up to him the other coaches to help the players implement it successfully, and the players to execute.
Sometimes it is on the players. Sometimes the players physically can’t do what is expected. Sometimes it’s so against their disposition and past experience that it’s a bill battle to get them to adapt. In those cases, you look to get different players. We have players who aren’t bad but they don’t fit. My problem is Neville wants to both ways. He says the players we have are good enough but blames their attitudes for us not succeeding. But the locker room is great? Or if it isn’t, that’s not on Neville. But the players are good enough except for some bad attitudes. It’s just inconsistent and contradictory to me.
We’re also somewhat predictable in our shape because we don’t alternate our fullbacks enough, we get narrow, and we rarely get two central midfielders forward. I’m wary of sending Bravo or Ayala/Williamson/Paredes up much of the time because it’s clear the team doesn’t communicate and coordinate enough to take that defensive risk. Chara essentially plays as a sweeper. The other central defensive midfielder has to partner with him to cover the space between attacking midfield and that left behind Mosquera when he doesn’t track back. With Rodriguez and Moreno both tending to tuck in, the midfield gets congested too, so there isn’t even room for another midfielder to get forward. We do miss those late runs into the box though. Transitioning through midfield has been a statistical and observable problem that Neville flat out denied.
We have real limitations in terms of how fast the CBs are and how good they and the keepers are with the ball at their feet. It’s risky to play a high line with this roster. But there’s no acknowledgment of that and little is consistently done to mitigate it besides sometimes benching Bravo and Williamson. Mosquera getting better about tracking back helps.
We also don’t consistently press enough. Our off-the-ball movement is sometimes nonexistent until we’ve advanced the ball enough. We aren’t good enough about closing passing channels. We don’t mark set pieces well. We continue to leave the far post and top of the box under-defended.
Other teams must know about a lot of our weaknesses and tendencies. Isolate Jona. Get in behind Mosquera. Force Antony to use his left foot. Run up behind Williamson as he’s receiving the ball and pick it off him. Foul foul foul. Chip Crepeau. I know I’m forgetting some things.
This feels like Austin all over again
It’s a good time of year for a scoring slump.
Well now, we have ourselves quite the predicament. Our team seems to have hit a wall (not just the one that closes off the goal). I have appreciated the effort this year and the performances of many of our players. Other teams bang on us which seems to take the steam out of the team. Most teams seem to have taller players than we do. Is that even true and if it is, is it even an issue? I continue to like Pentemis' game a lot more than Maxi's. 5 clean sheets for the former and one for the latter. This business about distribution I don't really get. What matters to me is who can stop shots better. I think its Pantemis. I think the team is ready to be done with this year. It would be a nice thing to beat Seattle just because. As I've said before, I'd rather see the team lose on the road in the play in than pay extra to watch them lose at home.
For me, the business about distribution is if it's a tie-breaker. All else being equal, Crepeau having better distribution means he starts. If the other team immediately gets the ball back after a goal kick and can quickly start what's effectively a counter against our disorganized and slow backline, that's bad. If Crepeau isn't distributing well or his other qualities are lagging, there isn't a meaningful distinction and Pantemis gets a look. Before I decide between the two though, I'd look at the opponents, home vs away, and game state, at least. Both of them have to deal with a changing backline and questionable tactics that make them more vulnerable. Pantemis kept us in the game tonight. I think he earns a start against Seattle.
Rodriguez had a real stinker today. If he has even an average game they might have had a chance at scoring. Evander cannot do it by himself except sometimes when he can. Not today though.
How disappointing.
Co-sign. I thin k we got 3 points out of a possible fifteen from the last 5 matches of the season. After the Rapids loss, we sorta stalled. The stakes were clear and we failed to meet the challenge.
They did get the clean sheet but there's a lid on the goal at the moment.
A lid as no goal from 46 shots in the last two matches.
Miller & Moreno off...for possibly the last time this season. Ok with me if Kamal gets traded/taken by San Diego or any other team. Santi needs to work this offseason on a bunch of things, like positioning and ball control.
Rodriguez has been off the past few games, heavy first touches, too much pussyfooting, one pass too many, just… off. Was hoping Antony would sub him instead of Moreno tonight.
Antony is so disruptive off the bench. He has some great moves and loves to play D.
Guesses on how much added time?
Maybe 2-3 min. But if we are going to win this one, we should have converted one of those chances in the first half.
Pantemis always likes to make a statement. I’m trying to figure out which team is in the playoffs.
He's so good. Except for his distribution where he puts himself into difficulties, but man is he a good shot stopper.
His distribution was really good tonight
His first goal kick went right to the enemy, but otherwise he was alright. I hope he's been working on it. That's my main issue with him.
It''s an interesting debate: Crepeau vs Pantemis. Max backstopped Canada to that 4th place Copa America finish; Pantemis is the current no. 2 to his no. 1 at the Timbers though he doesn't seem to be in the CMNT picture. I'm guessing the distribution is what's separating both of them. Neville wants to pass out of the back; that could be the reason Pantemis isn't the regular starter. Could be the same with Canada though I don't know Marsch's current thinking.
tonight his distribution was really good
Disagree. He had some terrible spot kicks. One that almost caused a goal.
The game is being a stingy bitch right now. The shots will start falling.
Based on the Austin and Van matches plus today, feels like we've regressed to early season Timbers.
They seem kinda snakebit. I think they are forcing it. One goal and the floodgates should open.
Timbers xG must be close to 3 by now.