The Portland Timbers return to action after an international break following their 1-0 win against the Seattle Sounders — Traveling to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for their third clash against the Colorado Rapids in 2024. Will the Timbers gain more ground in a tight western conference playoff race? Come chat about it!
Stumptown Footy is a reader-supported publication. To receive weekly Timbers and Thorns content, consider supporting our work by becoming a free or paid subscriber!
And Mosquera still can't close down. The majority - hell, almost all - of the Rapids attacks have come on his side. They know to go after him. Bravo being out is rather unfortunate.
We’ve had the better chances. Two one on ones that should’ve been put away. We need to take care of those chances because we’re probably going to give up at least one more goal this second half. Need more energy off the ball
We've had chances. Slack defending gave up the Col goal; JDM is MIA But is does seem the entire backline missed the flight to Denver. Good thing Ayala showed up on that corner, though. We need him to keep his form if we want to make a postseason run.
Having been so frustrated by the unholy fustercluck that's the Thorns' offensive "coordination" these days, it's nice to see the understanding between Timbers on those counters. Good, entertaining half of football...
Going forward, the Timbers don't look too bad. They're a little off, but if they dial in some of their runs, they have a couple goals in them I think. Defensively....shudder
That breakaway reminded me when I was a keeper in high school and college, that when there was a breakaway, players at that level are 99% favoring a single foot and just watch the ball on that foot and it's a great advantage as you know they can only go one way. Steffen knew Antony had to play it off his right foot and took advantage of that.
Well, that was fun-not. I felt like we were the better team for the most part and still managed to blow it. Remind me why Antony is starting and Mora isn't? I think having Bravo would have helped both on defense and offense. Moreno looked lost and Evander did his disappearing act.
Don't know about you but for me it looked like we were playing 9v11 out there. The 9 mien being out team, of course. Yo Phil: why'd you start Antony instead of Toye? And can you "and NG) find a way to get Mosquera off the backline? I know we aren't set up for 352 but maybe we should try that again.
That was pretty weak defending on that free kick. I didn't want to blame Mosquera for the first one cuz the Rockies got a lucky bounce, but here, he hardly tried to defend.
Have to admit that I'm starting to think that going 352 with Mora/Toye is what we need right now. Someone please tell me I'm insane for the suggestion.
I think we have a reasonable shot at winning this game. Sub on either Mora or Toye. Maybe both if need be. And if there is any way we can get Mosquera off the pitch then that' mgith be the first move I'd make.
Like I said and Ramsey noted above - if he could have switched to the left foot good chance he scores. But that breakaway is an example of him being so one-footed that it hurts us (and him). I kinda knew but was hoping against - that he was going to drive into the box with the ball on his right.
Can someone explain to me what’s going on with Santi? From the Twitter posts I still can’t tell what’s going on. Explain it to me like I’m 10 years old.
Sounds like he got some interest from a Brazilian team, and he got excited about it, because that's exciting! And now the internet is melting down because...disrespect? or something? It's dumb. Ignore it.
Ok, I missed this one. Which team? And was there an actual dollar figure attached? I thought the hot rumor was that lowball offer from the Qatar side for Evander. You kno, the fee that would have had us take about a $500k loss. Sheesh. I know our FO has some serious questions marks but NG isn't that dumb.
OK, that’s what I thought but everyone is freaking out. He’s in the starting lineup tonight so if for some reason he’s gone, he wouldn’t be playing so it sounds like a lot of hysteria.
Just went to the link that Dee gave. Yep, nothing to see here. And the link to the X account of some dubious source. Nah. Really, people need to know there are too many posters trying to break news these days. I'd wait for Tom Bogert AKA Tommy Two Scoops.
Man I gotta say I have no feel for how we’re going to do tonight. We’ve been off a lot of days, playing in altitude against a great team that we’ve smoked at home.
I'm kind of in the same boat, particularly with your last sentence. This is very much a gut-check game for the Timbers; I really hate the BUT ALTITUDE that always gets trotted out whenever the team does poorly there, as well.
I understand that altitude is a factor, absolutely, but it's also a known quantity; Denver is what it is and Portland teams have been playing there since 2011, so they should know how to prepare for it as much as they possibly can.
This Timbers team should be able to get a result there, I hope - as with most games, it will come down to whether the defense shows up or not. Please, defense, show up.
Agree with you and also Dee. I'm not exactly thrilled with Araujo in the back nor do I really care for Antony starting...I'd like to see Toye in there given his form as of late. And yeah, we need to get a result. W or draw. Don't care. We're fighting for the playoffs and a possible 4th seed. This match is a gut check and will show how much the break affected us. As well a checkup on the progress we've made.
Great!! That is the EXACT same goal Ayala scored in leagues cup vs Colorado, hilarious
Antony does not have a left foot
Antony does not have a left foot
Antony does not have a left foot.
The Rapids know this by now.
And Mosquera still can't close down. The majority - hell, almost all - of the Rapids attacks have come on his side. They know to go after him. Bravo being out is rather unfortunate.
First half thoughts?
We’ve had the better chances. Two one on ones that should’ve been put away. We need to take care of those chances because we’re probably going to give up at least one more goal this second half. Need more energy off the ball
We've had chances. Slack defending gave up the Col goal; JDM is MIA But is does seem the entire backline missed the flight to Denver. Good thing Ayala showed up on that corner, though. We need him to keep his form if we want to make a postseason run.
Having been so frustrated by the unholy fustercluck that's the Thorns' offensive "coordination" these days, it's nice to see the understanding between Timbers on those counters. Good, entertaining half of football...
Going forward, the Timbers don't look too bad. They're a little off, but if they dial in some of their runs, they have a couple goals in them I think. Defensively....shudder
Really regretting all those Antony misses.
That breakaway made you (and us) want to cry.
That breakaway reminded me when I was a keeper in high school and college, that when there was a breakaway, players at that level are 99% favoring a single foot and just watch the ball on that foot and it's a great advantage as you know they can only go one way. Steffen knew Antony had to play it off his right foot and took advantage of that.
Colorado was the better team especially in the second half. We looked really lacking
They simply couldn't meet the moment despite so many chances. Now 7 points out of 3rd and 4th with a very tough remaining schedule.
Sad but true.
So confused about the call there. Seems like a clear flop. Stupid ending to a lackluster game
Poor time for Evander to have a mediocre game.
How many times did Evander get fouled on that play? I counted three and he was very peeved.
Please...Mora for 11
Evander deserves more from antony and rhe rest
Ok..how are you not at least man- marking their ace?
toooooooooo easy
Yep, did any of our defenders make even a little bit of an effort to defend that cross? It looked like about 8 Timbers watching the ball there.
Absolutely correct Ball watching throught the entire play. I can't it was unbelievable because we've seen this movie before. Maybe experating?
To be fair it was a pretty great ball in, but it's our job to watch it; it's their job to stop it.
We just added an extra foot to the attack.
Finally a two footed attacker
There! Antony had a square pass to JR but couldn't do it with his left foot and played it back😐
Brother just does not have a left foot lmao
Again man jeeeezus
Antony on a breakaway. Yeah, would've been nice if he could have switched feet. But alas. That said, his speed...
He can't use his left foot
Mosquera can't play defense..why do they keep trying?
Another night with hometown commentators
Um, Thorns? Assume that’s a typo.
Copy/paste is a very useful tool, but it apparently doesn't do proofreading
Well, that was fun-not. I felt like we were the better team for the most part and still managed to blow it. Remind me why Antony is starting and Mora isn't? I think having Bravo would have helped both on defense and offense. Moreno looked lost and Evander did his disappearing act.
Don't know about you but for me it looked like we were playing 9v11 out there. The 9 mien being out team, of course. Yo Phil: why'd you start Antony instead of Toye? And can you "and NG) find a way to get Mosquera off the backline? I know we aren't set up for 352 but maybe we should try that again.
Zup gonna get a yellow here
Huh. Not sure why, but I'll take the red.
That was pretty weak defending on that free kick. I didn't want to blame Mosquera for the first one cuz the Rockies got a lucky bounce, but here, he hardly tried to defend.
So Predictable.
MORA!!!!!
Have to admit that I'm starting to think that going 352 with Mora/Toye is what we need right now. Someone please tell me I'm insane for the suggestion.
Get Antony out!
I think we have a reasonable shot at winning this game. Sub on either Mora or Toye. Maybe both if need be. And if there is any way we can get Mosquera off the pitch then that' mgith be the first move I'd make.
Mosquera carries such might, Phil needs to slot him somewhere else upfield
After Moreno goes to Brazil we can move Mosquera to right wing. /s
Oh, Antony! What a missed opportunity!
Like I said and Ramsey noted above - if he could have switched to the left foot good chance he scores. But that breakaway is an example of him being so one-footed that it hurts us (and him). I kinda knew but was hoping against - that he was going to drive into the box with the ball on his right.
Looked like Steffen got the sole of his foot to the ball at the last possible second. Hell of a breakaway though
Mosquera lost his man again..they're coming down the left time every wave..please Phil...don't let it happen
So it would appear the defense did not travel. Hopefully Crepeau can keep doing Crepeau things.
Also made worse by the international break. Clearly lost whatever little momentum they gained from the Fish win.
Earth to JDM: have you ever met an attacker that you eanted to close down? Has any coach - ever - explained to you how to shut down attacks?
Mosquera lost his man...drawn inside
Defense strikes again. It is still early so hopefully we get the equalizer.
What’s going on with Bravo? I must have missed something.
Had a knock in training this week.
Can someone explain to me what’s going on with Santi? From the Twitter posts I still can’t tell what’s going on. Explain it to me like I’m 10 years old.
Sounds like he got some interest from a Brazilian team, and he got excited about it, because that's exciting! And now the internet is melting down because...disrespect? or something? It's dumb. Ignore it.
Ok, I missed this one. Which team? And was there an actual dollar figure attached? I thought the hot rumor was that lowball offer from the Qatar side for Evander. You kno, the fee that would have had us take about a $500k loss. Sheesh. I know our FO has some serious questions marks but NG isn't that dumb.
All I know I know from this thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/timbers/comments/1fgwg68/santi_moreno_uh_oh/
I don't even have a Reddit account so I don't dive deep into it, I just know what I see on that page.
OK, that’s what I thought but everyone is freaking out. He’s in the starting lineup tonight so if for some reason he’s gone, he wouldn’t be playing so it sounds like a lot of hysteria.
Just went to the link that Dee gave. Yep, nothing to see here. And the link to the X account of some dubious source. Nah. Really, people need to know there are too many posters trying to break news these days. I'd wait for Tom Bogert AKA Tommy Two Scoops.
Man I gotta say I have no feel for how we’re going to do tonight. We’ve been off a lot of days, playing in altitude against a great team that we’ve smoked at home.
This game is going to show us who we really are.
I'm kind of in the same boat, particularly with your last sentence. This is very much a gut-check game for the Timbers; I really hate the BUT ALTITUDE that always gets trotted out whenever the team does poorly there, as well.
I understand that altitude is a factor, absolutely, but it's also a known quantity; Denver is what it is and Portland teams have been playing there since 2011, so they should know how to prepare for it as much as they possibly can.
This Timbers team should be able to get a result there, I hope - as with most games, it will come down to whether the defense shows up or not. Please, defense, show up.
Possibly without Bravo, though!
yeah, that's gonna make it tricky
Agree with you and also Dee. I'm not exactly thrilled with Araujo in the back nor do I really care for Antony starting...I'd like to see Toye in there given his form as of late. And yeah, we need to get a result. W or draw. Don't care. We're fighting for the playoffs and a possible 4th seed. This match is a gut check and will show how much the break affected us. As well a checkup on the progress we've made.
Well apparently we've regressed again.