Some sick part of me enjoys having a reason to root for Seattle from time to time, so I was feeling Morris' belly flop at the end of the Dallas game. At least Dallas didn't win that one, allowing PTFC the chance to barely scratch above the playoff line with a win against Austin Sunday, though Austin and Dallas have a whole game in the hand that we don't. The final minutes of "Titanic" come to mind, grasping at floating debris in the wake of a massive shipwreck.
Timbers in Texas seems like a total toss up at this point. Will we look awful? Will we actually look like a professional soccer team? Who knows! But after years and years of writing Texas games off as a loss, I’ll take the toss up. We won in Austin last time, and I believe we can do it again. I also believe we could shit the bed
Happy that Joseph said he wants the Timbers to possess more this game, getting rest on the ball will be very important in the heat. And without Chara, I don’t want us to have to defend for our lives for 90 minutes. Acosta is used to playing in Texas and I thought he was the one player that didn’t look awful in that Houston game, so hopefully he can really step up
FWIW It's only supposed to be mid-80's at KO with basically no humidity, so weather shouldn't really be a factor the way it can be in Texas in the summer. It'll be hot, but not shitty swampy soupy hot.
"don’t want us to have to defend for our lives for 90 minutes."
That's pretty much my fear for this game. It'll be tough without Chara.
I agree with this post. I'm hoping for the best. Two desperate teams. Which one can take it over?The one thing that I don't have a lot of confidence in, though, is Acosta. He seems really soft on defense, not what you want plugging the midfield, imo.
Personally, I'd keep him on the bench so that you have options for the midfield. Maybe he comes in later. Let Paredes take over the six role, move in Moreno to the midfield with Evander, and start someone else on the wing in Moreno's place. I'll trust MJ to do the right thing, though. He's been pulling the right strings.
Convention says start Acosta for Chara. He's no Chara. Paredes is closer to Chara-like, so that's why I would prefer him. We have more options on the wing than we do in the midfield, which is why moving Moreno inside works for me. That guy comes alive in the middle. So talented.
I don’t see Paredes as a 6 at all, he’s not good enough on the ball with his touch and passing. Acosta is much more defensive minded anyways and plays hard on defense. Paredes would be an 8 playing as a 6. Acosta is a 6. Then we can keep Paredes in a better position for him too. A midfield with Moreno and Evander would have zero defense, we’d get torn apart
Cause with our injuries we didn't have anyone as backup? I think - I thope - he's a one season buy. Just a guy who's roster filler until next season. If Ayala was healthy, maybe we don't get Acosta. Imno.
I disagree JJ. I think Paredes would be all the defense you need, and we would be better in possession with Moreno and Evander and Paredes underneath. Sometimes offense is your best defense. Sidenote: Chara doesn't offer much in possession these days, either.
On second thought I’m not sure if it’s a 4-3-3, it’s possible it’s a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with Yimmi or Moreno as a wingback. I have no clue honestly, because if you’re playing that formation there’s no reason to have Mosquera not starting. Idk I’m really excited to see how it looks on the field!
Well he went with your midfield it seems! It’ll be very interesting to see how it works out. I’m shocked ngl, I hope I’m wrong. It’ll probably produce fireworks on offense, I’m just worried about defense...
Have to limit Driussi's chances; not that anyone should expect to keep him off the board. Also Austin likes to collapse frequently for some inexplicable reason. If we can keep the score down like 1-0 Austin or even us being up by the same, then maybe a result is possible. But yeah, gonna be tough without D Chara.
Yeah, the lineup on MLS seems different than what I saw on twitter. The MLS has Yimmi as a 10. That would not be good. I guess we'll see when they actually line up.
I'm with you - just want to see some good soccer. And a result!
I am sick and tired of seeing old Will Bruin always score on the Timbers. He scored last minute when Austin tied it at the death in Portland. Years past he has scored on the Timbers way too often. When he comes into the game for the last 20 or so minutes, someone on the Timbers please put a body on him and physically take him off the ball. You have to defend Bruin like that. Do that and the Timbers can win the road game in Austin. Defend very aggressively and you beat Austin.
I’ve wondered if Bravo could be a sub for Chara; the guy has a bull dog mentality, is good at breaking-up passes, and can spray the ball around the field. Any thoughts?
Mixed feelings on this - Bravo has decent attacking instincts with subpar defensive mentality. He'll break up passes and look to push play forward while also forgetting that he has to defend and is then miles behind when the opponent counters. Now Austin will push up so it depends if he can mainintain defensively focused while looking to jump start counters. As we've seen, he usually always has moments of AWOL.
Some sick part of me enjoys having a reason to root for Seattle from time to time, so I was feeling Morris' belly flop at the end of the Dallas game. At least Dallas didn't win that one, allowing PTFC the chance to barely scratch above the playoff line with a win against Austin Sunday, though Austin and Dallas have a whole game in the hand that we don't. The final minutes of "Titanic" come to mind, grasping at floating debris in the wake of a massive shipwreck.
Go Timbers!
Timbers in Texas seems like a total toss up at this point. Will we look awful? Will we actually look like a professional soccer team? Who knows! But after years and years of writing Texas games off as a loss, I’ll take the toss up. We won in Austin last time, and I believe we can do it again. I also believe we could shit the bed
Happy that Joseph said he wants the Timbers to possess more this game, getting rest on the ball will be very important in the heat. And without Chara, I don’t want us to have to defend for our lives for 90 minutes. Acosta is used to playing in Texas and I thought he was the one player that didn’t look awful in that Houston game, so hopefully he can really step up
FWIW It's only supposed to be mid-80's at KO with basically no humidity, so weather shouldn't really be a factor the way it can be in Texas in the summer. It'll be hot, but not shitty swampy soupy hot.
"don’t want us to have to defend for our lives for 90 minutes."
That's pretty much my fear for this game. It'll be tough without Chara.
I agree with this post. I'm hoping for the best. Two desperate teams. Which one can take it over?The one thing that I don't have a lot of confidence in, though, is Acosta. He seems really soft on defense, not what you want plugging the midfield, imo.
Personally, I'd keep him on the bench so that you have options for the midfield. Maybe he comes in later. Let Paredes take over the six role, move in Moreno to the midfield with Evander, and start someone else on the wing in Moreno's place. I'll trust MJ to do the right thing, though. He's been pulling the right strings.
Convention says start Acosta for Chara. He's no Chara. Paredes is closer to Chara-like, so that's why I would prefer him. We have more options on the wing than we do in the midfield, which is why moving Moreno inside works for me. That guy comes alive in the middle. So talented.
I don’t see Paredes as a 6 at all, he’s not good enough on the ball with his touch and passing. Acosta is much more defensive minded anyways and plays hard on defense. Paredes would be an 8 playing as a 6. Acosta is a 6. Then we can keep Paredes in a better position for him too. A midfield with Moreno and Evander would have zero defense, we’d get torn apart
Yeah, if we are not starting Acosta today, I have no idea why we have him on the roster.
Cause with our injuries we didn't have anyone as backup? I think - I thope - he's a one season buy. Just a guy who's roster filler until next season. If Ayala was healthy, maybe we don't get Acosta. Imno.
We signed thru the end of next season probably with a team option.
For backup. LOL
I disagree JJ. I think Paredes would be all the defense you need, and we would be better in possession with Moreno and Evander and Paredes underneath. Sometimes offense is your best defense. Sidenote: Chara doesn't offer much in possession these days, either.
But, I'll roll with whatever MJ decides.
On second thought I’m not sure if it’s a 4-3-3, it’s possible it’s a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 with Yimmi or Moreno as a wingback. I have no clue honestly, because if you’re playing that formation there’s no reason to have Mosquera not starting. Idk I’m really excited to see how it looks on the field!
Well he went with your midfield it seems! It’ll be very interesting to see how it works out. I’m shocked ngl, I hope I’m wrong. It’ll probably produce fireworks on offense, I’m just worried about defense...
Have to limit Driussi's chances; not that anyone should expect to keep him off the board. Also Austin likes to collapse frequently for some inexplicable reason. If we can keep the score down like 1-0 Austin or even us being up by the same, then maybe a result is possible. But yeah, gonna be tough without D Chara.
Yeah, the lineup on MLS seems different than what I saw on twitter. The MLS has Yimmi as a 10. That would not be good. I guess we'll see when they actually line up.
I'm with you - just want to see some good soccer. And a result!
You think MJ would start Acosta in Chara's place v Austin?
Who else would he start?
Loria?
At defensive midfield?
How about Yimmi? :)
Your point is well taken.
I am sick and tired of seeing old Will Bruin always score on the Timbers. He scored last minute when Austin tied it at the death in Portland. Years past he has scored on the Timbers way too often. When he comes into the game for the last 20 or so minutes, someone on the Timbers please put a body on him and physically take him off the ball. You have to defend Bruin like that. Do that and the Timbers can win the road game in Austin. Defend very aggressively and you beat Austin.
I’ve wondered if Bravo could be a sub for Chara; the guy has a bull dog mentality, is good at breaking-up passes, and can spray the ball around the field. Any thoughts?
Mixed feelings on this - Bravo has decent attacking instincts with subpar defensive mentality. He'll break up passes and look to push play forward while also forgetting that he has to defend and is then miles behind when the opponent counters. Now Austin will push up so it depends if he can mainintain defensively focused while looking to jump start counters. As we've seen, he usually always has moments of AWOL.
Er.... But then we have to play Miller on the wrong side (or God forbid Rasmussen!).