Happy for the win. It's amazing how different we look with most of our best players out there! And Evander has, what, 3G+2A in the last 3 games, which bodes well for the future.
I had a more mixed view of Paredes. He had some good defensive interceptions to be sure. But he was nowhere to be seen just before Vancouver's goal when some VAN …
Happy for the win. It's amazing how different we look with most of our best players out there! And Evander has, what, 3G+2A in the last 3 games, which bodes well for the future.
I had a more mixed view of Paredes. He had some good defensive interceptions to be sure. But he was nowhere to be seen just before Vancouver's goal when some VAN player passed forward to their attacking midfielder in front of our back line. It was Paredes's territory but there was no one within 10 yards of the VAN player, giving him all the time in the world to pick out a through-ball that turned into the goal. Paredes was waaaay out of position up by the forward line and was jogging back on the play, and I'd put the goal on him even more than on McGraw. Also I felt like Paredes contributed little to launching attacks, unlike his fellow d-mid Diego. So many of Paredes's passes went backwards, even when he had expanses of space in front of him. I've generally liked him in the past but I felt frustrated with him tonight.
Yeah, Paredes is a puzzle. Not bad all of the time but bad enough some of the time to make me not trust him. Goals scored against us the last two games came way too easy IMO. Bravo saved another goal by standing on the goal line and helping Ivacic out. He's done that more than once this season.
RE Vancouver's goal. I'd put that on Zup letting that guy have free pass; it was his guy. He needs to step. Maybe he didn't get the memo to play higher line. Bravo got beat on a nice pass. It happens. But blame Paredes? OK, fine, but if you are going to blame Paredes on that goal, then give him credit for Portland's first goal. SAme position and pressuring and then Bravo steps to intercept. leading to pass to Boli. Maybe they weren't all on the same page. Maybe they all need to be more aggressive like Paredes is.
Not launching attacks? Not sure that is Paredes' job, but he is more than capable of it; we've seen it. Timbers controlled the midfield and won the game, unlike the game in Vancouver. I see Paredes as a winner; he does whatever it takes.
This re Paredes 100%, Left49... He'll do whatever it takes given the needs of the game.
Gressel was VANs main threat and playing the same side of the field, plus VAN had an extra guy in midfield all night long - so Paredes HAD to stay home.
Seems like the other guys did just fine handling that offense part, didn't they?
Yes, it looks like how it should on paper is coming to fruition on the field. Two supporting mids feeding the wings and Evander. Timbers are consistently getting more shots off than they were in the first part of the season.
Paredes ain't perfect, but I think the one thing he brings that is top notch is pure athleticism and a physical presence that helps slow other teams down.
Happy for the win. It's amazing how different we look with most of our best players out there! And Evander has, what, 3G+2A in the last 3 games, which bodes well for the future.
I had a more mixed view of Paredes. He had some good defensive interceptions to be sure. But he was nowhere to be seen just before Vancouver's goal when some VAN player passed forward to their attacking midfielder in front of our back line. It was Paredes's territory but there was no one within 10 yards of the VAN player, giving him all the time in the world to pick out a through-ball that turned into the goal. Paredes was waaaay out of position up by the forward line and was jogging back on the play, and I'd put the goal on him even more than on McGraw. Also I felt like Paredes contributed little to launching attacks, unlike his fellow d-mid Diego. So many of Paredes's passes went backwards, even when he had expanses of space in front of him. I've generally liked him in the past but I felt frustrated with him tonight.
Yeah, Paredes is a puzzle. Not bad all of the time but bad enough some of the time to make me not trust him. Goals scored against us the last two games came way too easy IMO. Bravo saved another goal by standing on the goal line and helping Ivacic out. He's done that more than once this season.
RE Vancouver's goal. I'd put that on Zup letting that guy have free pass; it was his guy. He needs to step. Maybe he didn't get the memo to play higher line. Bravo got beat on a nice pass. It happens. But blame Paredes? OK, fine, but if you are going to blame Paredes on that goal, then give him credit for Portland's first goal. SAme position and pressuring and then Bravo steps to intercept. leading to pass to Boli. Maybe they weren't all on the same page. Maybe they all need to be more aggressive like Paredes is.
Not launching attacks? Not sure that is Paredes' job, but he is more than capable of it; we've seen it. Timbers controlled the midfield and won the game, unlike the game in Vancouver. I see Paredes as a winner; he does whatever it takes.
This re Paredes 100%, Left49... He'll do whatever it takes given the needs of the game.
Gressel was VANs main threat and playing the same side of the field, plus VAN had an extra guy in midfield all night long - so Paredes HAD to stay home.
Seems like the other guys did just fine handling that offense part, didn't they?
Yes, it looks like how it should on paper is coming to fruition on the field. Two supporting mids feeding the wings and Evander. Timbers are consistently getting more shots off than they were in the first part of the season.
Paredes ain't perfect, but I think the one thing he brings that is top notch is pure athleticism and a physical presence that helps slow other teams down.
And btw - I thought Zup played really well