Its been a rough stretch of games at home. After going 3-0-1 at the beginning of the season, the Timbers had almost two weeks off before their next game. They haven't come back from that vacation yet. Last night's game against Montreal was the last of three home games that haven't gone well for the Timbers.
Montreal is a tough team at home or on the road, and proved that by holding the Timbers to a 1-1 draw the first time these two teams met back in April. They came to PGE Park with the same intensity. Unfortunately, the Timbers did not. Decent play on the left side between Cameron, Pore, and Obatola could not make up for our deficiencies on the right side of the field. It is readily apparent that the team is missing the presence of Scot Thompson, last year's right back. Quavas Kirk, having taken Scot's place this year, has proved to be the weak link in the Timber's back line, and it seems that other teams have noted this and are taking advantage. In the 31', Montreal's Donatelli found himself with the ball at his feet and the goal wide open in front of him courtesy of his teammate Sebrango having outplayed the inexperienced Kirk, and in the process, pulled the equally inexperienced Purdy out of position to assist. The quick pass to Donatelli and subsequent goal were almost a foregone conclusion once the back line had been rearranged to the Impact's satisfaction.
Despite some creative substitutions at the half (were the boys playing a 2-3-1-4 for the last half an hour?) and some frenetic work on behalf of the roused squad (outshooting the Impact 17-4 during the game), the Timbers were unable to make up the one point deficit by full time. The refereeing was typically USL atrocious, the Mercury's new Timbers blogger, Brian Costello, putting it most succinctly:
“6,573 people witnessed a clear handball in the 68' that was somehow blindly ignored by the referee.”
But poor officiating is absolutely no excuse for what we've seen on the pitch the last three games, and despite the paragraphs above, this is not the fault of any one player. I'd wager the lack of cohesion and anticipation we have seen on the pitch in the last week has also worried Gavin, currently off on a scouting trip in Ghana, and I do not envy the boys the inevitable tongue-lashing upon his return.
Despite this three game mid-May walk of shame, I have not yet given up hope. Its early in the season, the Timbers are playing with energy and heart (despite seeming to locate it after the half) and are putting up impressive shooting statistics. Some tweaking of the line-up and our schedule over the next few weeks should fall before us like a 2-beers-deep Sounders "fan". I continue to be impressed with Pore's play, we have some rising stars in Danso and Obatola, hopefully Ian Joy will be back on his feet soon, and I harbor dreams of seeing Cameron Knowles back out on the pitch at some point this season. *giggles like a schoolgirl* Ahem.
The Brigade was impressive for a day with such inclement weather! Thanks to everyone who rode – it was great to see some new faces and to ride with some old veterans. My match is no longer complete if I don't hear Cowbell's lounge version of Portland Belongs to Me echoing off of downtown office buildings. If I don't see you all at Beulah for our coming away matches, I'll see you at the next ride!
Better and more perceptive match reviews can be found at the following:
Match highlights and archive can be found over at portlandtimbers.com.
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