I am absolutely delighted the Timbers got a win out of...whatever that was. Breaking the winless streak is great and very necessary, and I am hoarse from shouting about the goals and celebrating the win.
BUT.
This game was hot, hot trash. Phil's idea of "major changes", as he referred to after Sunday were apparently a) he wore trackpants and a hoodie instead of a suit and b) he started Larrys Mabiala and also benched Jonathan Rodriguez, who when he came on scored two goals, which just proves not starting him was a fucking tactical masterclass from ol' Phil. Phil got booed off the pitch at the half, and that sendoff was well deserved.
I am still team #philout even though I know it's not gonna happen. If this game is a catalyst for a win streak that rights every wrong from the last 12 games, and vaults the Timbers into playoff places, I will happily eat all my negative words, but this is Phil Neville we're talking about. Cracks can only be papered over for so long.
I will, and I did, enjoy this win. I'd be an idiot not to. It was gleeful at the end, especially since we got to bring my in-laws to their first ever soccer game and I got to spend the first half explaining how the game should be played (if the two teams were any good) and the later parts of the second half going "LOLNOPE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING EITHER THIS IS RIDICULOUS IN THE BEST WAY". They had a blast, and that's good. But this team is still a mess, and against a better team, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun.
My most fervent hope and biggest takeaway from this game is that it seems that Jonathan Rodriguez is getting more comfortable by the day/game. Watching him score from an Evander assist gave my spine all the shivers for what that combo can do, if surrounded by a good team and a coach that knows what to do with them.
I didn't like the hire at the time, but I've tried to be optimistic about Neville (mainly because I have literally no control over it), but his tactical decisions are just baffling. Mabs? Really? At least he eventually brought Rodriguez on.
Well I feel better about this team now. Just kidding. We did our darndest to give this game away to San Jose but the Earthquakes wanted to give it away just a bit more than we did.
So based on the 2nd half, the attack is actually pretty decent. But the defense is still real rough and the midfield sputters more timesthan not. Don't know how to fix the midfield inconsistency but defense would be improved with better coaching and depth.
But just want to say: thank god for John - gad we paid the money for him. Also Mora. Happy he's still here and now healthy.
Phil said in the press conference that he chose not to start Rodriguez so he would get a chance to take in the dynamic of the game before going out on the pitch.
Also he said that Rodriguez was angry for not starting and perhaps used that anger to get results once he was subbed in.
That's an easy thing to say in retrospect I suppose, but I feel that Jonathan Rodriguez if used properly could do a lot of good for the team.
He is our best cb and has been since he got here. He put out so many fires last year. A lot of people didn't see it or have a short memory cause people were saying he should go.
Don’t think anyone wanted to see him go, but he did ask to leave, and when a player asks to leave sometimes it’s best to try and find a solution best for both parties. I thought that is what would happen but I’m thrilled he stayed, he’s been fantastic
That first pk I wouldn't be surprised if it gets featured on the weekly PRO review. This ref certainly affected the outcome of the match with that call, among several other decisions.
I'm not sure about the first one, but that one clearly did merit it. Rodríguez was the only one to touch the ball so the SJ keeper fouled him. Easy call once you see it in replay.
I think the pay raise really went to the refs' head. E ver since they've returned, it isn't like they're really showing that they deserve the salary increase.
Props to the guys. They're fighting despite playing for a crap coach with no clue. Just get rid of Neville and let the team coach itself. Would probably make for better soccer.
Mabs has been subbed out but props to those of you who had to watch the horror show. Wonder if anyone will ask Neville at the post match presser why he started Larrys in the first place. I'm sure Hernan Lopez was laughing watching him defend.
I think a big difference between this team and the other disappointments in recent years is how much money is running around out there. Also less old broken guys.
There is nothing defensible about Neville right now. We haven't won in 10 straight matches. His ppg is around 0.77. At least he has John to help out with the attack. And bringing in K Miller was his idea. Crepeau was a great move, no doubt. But other than that, it has been downhill since the opener against the Rapids.
As for the money, well that's been an issue for several seasons now. Didn't help that GW couldn't adapt to a changing league much less being sexual harassment denier. And NG apparently has the same mindset. "The roster is adequate." Yeah, well, sure.
MP must not have watched Neville's Miami. I bet Beckham and Mas were only too happy to vouch for him. Or maybe MP watched the flamingos and figured that with NG at the helm, our roster construction would make up for any coaching defiencies. Guess not.
Switching back to the 4-2-3-1 and we look so much worse. I thought the formation was actually working okay, I don’t get this change. I’d rather put Jura in instead of Eric Miller tbh
Well, at the very least it’s been an entertaining, open, high tempo game. Need players to be more selfish like Antony started doing near the end, and SHOOT
This would put you most goal dangerous players around the box. Would allow Evander to get on the ball and go direct between the back line or go wide to Moreno and Antony. In attack it would look like a 3-2-1-4 around the box. Would be a 3-4-1-2 in build up and 5-3-2 defending deep.
Just got home. Looks like I didn;t miss anything except seeing the Quakes score. And now seeing from the game thread that Mabs is playing?! So who's Phil's dealer? WTH is going on?
I am absolutely delighted the Timbers got a win out of...whatever that was. Breaking the winless streak is great and very necessary, and I am hoarse from shouting about the goals and celebrating the win.
BUT.
This game was hot, hot trash. Phil's idea of "major changes", as he referred to after Sunday were apparently a) he wore trackpants and a hoodie instead of a suit and b) he started Larrys Mabiala and also benched Jonathan Rodriguez, who when he came on scored two goals, which just proves not starting him was a fucking tactical masterclass from ol' Phil. Phil got booed off the pitch at the half, and that sendoff was well deserved.
I am still team #philout even though I know it's not gonna happen. If this game is a catalyst for a win streak that rights every wrong from the last 12 games, and vaults the Timbers into playoff places, I will happily eat all my negative words, but this is Phil Neville we're talking about. Cracks can only be papered over for so long.
I will, and I did, enjoy this win. I'd be an idiot not to. It was gleeful at the end, especially since we got to bring my in-laws to their first ever soccer game and I got to spend the first half explaining how the game should be played (if the two teams were any good) and the later parts of the second half going "LOLNOPE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING EITHER THIS IS RIDICULOUS IN THE BEST WAY". They had a blast, and that's good. But this team is still a mess, and against a better team, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun.
My most fervent hope and biggest takeaway from this game is that it seems that Jonathan Rodriguez is getting more comfortable by the day/game. Watching him score from an Evander assist gave my spine all the shivers for what that combo can do, if surrounded by a good team and a coach that knows what to do with them.
I didn't like the hire at the time, but I've tried to be optimistic about Neville (mainly because I have literally no control over it), but his tactical decisions are just baffling. Mabs? Really? At least he eventually brought Rodriguez on.
The first half needed Benny hill music playing behind it. The team is making me queasy despite a loads of talent.
Rapture. Sheer rapture.
Glad I stuck around for the second half. Maybe this kick starts them but I am not optimistic
At this point I don't even care. This is what's it's all about.
Well I feel better about this team now. Just kidding. We did our darndest to give this game away to San Jose but the Earthquakes wanted to give it away just a bit more than we did.
Set piece defending is horrible. The second goal was all mabialas fault. If mabiala wouldn't have started we really would have dominated that game.
So based on the 2nd half, the attack is actually pretty decent. But the defense is still real rough and the midfield sputters more timesthan not. Don't know how to fix the midfield inconsistency but defense would be improved with better coaching and depth.
But just want to say: thank god for John - gad we paid the money for him. Also Mora. Happy he's still here and now healthy.
Phil said in the press conference that he chose not to start Rodriguez so he would get a chance to take in the dynamic of the game before going out on the pitch.
Also he said that Rodriguez was angry for not starting and perhaps used that anger to get results once he was subbed in.
That's an easy thing to say in retrospect I suppose, but I feel that Jonathan Rodriguez if used properly could do a lot of good for the team.
we are missing a six that can cover massive ground quickly and physically.
The pens were legit and the ref actually got them right and I was tired of getting screwed.
I kind of wanted that SJ last chance to be over the line—just for the madness of it.
Zuparic was awesome tonight.
He is our best cb and has been since he got here. He put out so many fires last year. A lot of people didn't see it or have a short memory cause people were saying he should go.
Don’t think anyone wanted to see him go, but he did ask to leave, and when a player asks to leave sometimes it’s best to try and find a solution best for both parties. I thought that is what would happen but I’m thrilled he stayed, he’s been fantastic
He put out some fires tonight too. He reads the game so well
I can’t stop laughing. This game was absolute comedy gold all the way through
Well that was unexpected. Paredes was so close to a handball in the box himself, then seconds later it's 4-2.
That first pk I wouldn't be surprised if it gets featured on the weekly PRO review. This ref certainly affected the outcome of the match with that call, among several other decisions.
Of course the replay wasn't shown at the game, which seems to be an absurd trend.
That's pretty common for any MLS match really.
One of those old school refs that thinks , somebody fall down, must be foul
I think we just killed off a match?!
Play it to the corner......anyone....anyone.. anyone...
Yes. Andreas!!
Gotta admit this sseasonf for some dumb reason we ar getting pks called in our favor. We never got those before. Just wild to see.
Too bad it likely won't matter in the end. They'll reverse back to normal when we're decent to good again and could really use them.
Wow. What a turnaround.
Great to see some passion and fight.
One thing about Phil. He sucks, but he almost always gets a whacky game out of it.
I'm not sure that did merit a pk, but I'll take it...
I'm not sure about the first one, but that one clearly did merit it. Rodríguez was the only one to touch the ball so the SJ keeper fouled him. Easy call once you see it in replay.
Football y'all...
Easy pk, I feel bad about the handball one though, that feels so harsh
So yay VAR?
Oh this ref sucks. But he’s kind of awesome on the mic.
He sounded like he practiced for the moment!
wasn't he?
I think the pay raise really went to the refs' head. E ver since they've returned, it isn't like they're really showing that they deserve the salary increase.
This ref is terrible
That play by the SJ keeper where he collided with Rodriguez is more of a PK play than the handball earlier.
Wow, they actually got that one right.
yup. worst ref ever. so many bad calls.
He kind of looks like the red card wedding ref. I know it's not him, but just his appearance, his ineptness, etc.
And he's got a lot of serious competition!
This ref is having a night.
What a pass by Kamal Miller - secondary assist
Yellow card for a San Jose dive that everybody in the stadium saw was a dive.
ProRefs never fail to amaze me with their ineptness
This ref is still on strike.
So as long as we play up a man the rest of the season, we could be ok.
Props to the guys. They're fighting despite playing for a crap coach with no clue. Just get rid of Neville and let the team coach itself. Would probably make for better soccer.
Neville isn't getting fired this year, you might as well focus your energy on something else.
We all know that. We're stuck with him for at least another season. Any ideas then on how to minimize the damage?
Get better players. Half this team isn't good enough.
MLS salary numbers released. Timbers 24th out of 29.
time to spend some money. drop some dead weight and bring in some defensive talent
Half is generous.
This could end up being the least-deserved 3 pts. in Timbers history.
Have to admit I want to giuys to get a W just so they can gain confidence. Otoh, any win probably helps Neville keep his job for yet another week.
Finally?
That’s a Hank Paulson level bailout. Thanks ref.
Bravo. Not Claudio, just bravo.
Kamal tried really hard to get an assist on a San Jose goal like Mabiala did in the first half, but his pass was slightly off. Bad luck Kamal.
Wish we were hustling like this in the first half
From the angle on the TV, that didn't look like a pk. It hit his arm but it didn't look intentional.
It can be a handball offense if you unintentionally make yourself bigger- which he didn't do, so I agree, it shouldn't have been a PK/ red card
I'm not sure, but I think if the handball results in a goal or prevents a goal then it doesn't matter if it made your body bigger or not.
Yay?
Ooh, not so sure. The red must be by law, eh?
Wonder if the Timbers kept that apology banner....
Man, the Timbers got the yips
Mabs has been subbed out but props to those of you who had to watch the horror show. Wonder if anyone will ask Neville at the post match presser why he started Larrys in the first place. I'm sure Hernan Lopez was laughing watching him defend.
I can't believe that in 2024, I am still seeing him on the team, much less on the pitch starting a game.
Still under contract. Gone after this season.
I think a big difference between this team and the other disappointments in recent years is how much money is running around out there. Also less old broken guys.
Phil is doing less with more.
There is nothing defensible about Neville right now. We haven't won in 10 straight matches. His ppg is around 0.77. At least he has John to help out with the attack. And bringing in K Miller was his idea. Crepeau was a great move, no doubt. But other than that, it has been downhill since the opener against the Rapids.
As for the money, well that's been an issue for several seasons now. Didn't help that GW couldn't adapt to a changing league much less being sexual harassment denier. And NG apparently has the same mindset. "The roster is adequate." Yeah, well, sure.
This roster is quite a bit better than last year. The results are damning.
MP must not have watched Neville's Miami. I bet Beckham and Mas were only too happy to vouch for him. Or maybe MP watched the flamingos and figured that with NG at the helm, our roster construction would make up for any coaching defiencies. Guess not.
Especially considering all the injuries
Switching back to the 4-2-3-1 and we look so much worse. I thought the formation was actually working okay, I don’t get this change. I’d rather put Jura in instead of Eric Miller tbh
Phire Phil
If my memory serves me well, this would be the first time we lose to SJ at home, if we do?
First time in MLS league play, yep. We are hitting the bottom on a new level this year.
At least S**ttle lost 2-0 tonight too. Interesting that we both suck this year, but we suck more.
Well, at the very least it’s been an entertaining, open, high tempo game. Need players to be more selfish like Antony started doing near the end, and SHOOT
He’s playing because Bravo is hurt and there’s little depth. Certainly no quality depth.
Mabiala, masquera and asprilla out.
Jonathan mora
Evander
Moreno Paredes chara Antony
Miller Miller zuparic
This would put you most goal dangerous players around the box. Would allow Evander to get on the ball and go direct between the back line or go wide to Moreno and Antony. In attack it would look like a 3-2-1-4 around the box. Would be a 3-4-1-2 in build up and 5-3-2 defending deep.
Just got home. Looks like I didn;t miss anything except seeing the Quakes score. And now seeing from the game thread that Mabs is playing?! So who's Phil's dealer? WTH is going on?
Larrys did get a nice assist on the 2nd San Jose goal. He played a perfect touch to the SJ striker.
I think with the defenders available, maybe putting more of them on the field at the same time might not be a great idea?
Fans booing Phizzy at the half