Taking a look at the Timbers’ tallies
By: Bob Kellett | May 19th, 2008
Seven-game Comparison
After re-examining the doom and gloom of my last post, I thought I’d take a deep breath and try to convince myself that despite the lack of scoring we have seen the past four games the sky is far from falling on the 2008 Portland Timbers. Consider this: through seven games in 2007 the Timbers had 12 pts from a 3-2-2 record. They scored 9 goals and conceded 5 in those seven games. Through the same frame in 2008, the club has 13 pts from a 3-0-4 record with seven goals scored and three conceded. The expectations are higher this year and the talent level is improved, but all things considered the team is in a pretty good position a month into the season despite going through a stretch of less than impressive soccer.
Checking in on the stats leaders
Chris Brown is fourth in the league in points, tied for third in goals, and he leads the league in shots. Meanwhile, his strikeforce partner Takayuki Suzuki is leading the league in fouls committed. I believe that Byron Alvarez also had that honor a couple of years ago. Ray Burse is first in the league in shutouts and tied for second with 26 saves.
Without cheating….
Name the Timbers players who have played the most minutes this season. Pause. Another pause. Ready for the answer? There are four players who have played ever single minute in all seven games. You probably guessed Ray Burse. Cameron Knowles was the league’s Iron Man last year and he’ll play every minute of every game even if his left leg falls off. Scot Thompson might have also come to mind. But did you know that Shaun Higgins has also logged 630 minutes? I know that I have my doubts about Higgins as a holding midfielder, but obviously he has the backing of his boss. Until I see otherwise, I am going to assume he is starting every game.
How about some shots from someone not named Brown?
Shots leaders:
Chris Brown 24
Takayuki Suzuki 7
Cameron Knowles 5
Andrew Gregor 5
The Next Five
The collective record of the next five Timbers opponents: 9-16-5.
Category: Timbers Team News
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
I see the team hovering somewhere in between “good” and “sky is falling.” A broad range and hard to pin-point exactly where yet. Being undefeated after seven games is good. Four points from the last four matches, however, is relegation territory. It’s been a strange season to read so far, especially since the “stronger” offense is less effective this season than the inexperienced guys we had last season.
Posted from
United States
-
Cameron Knowles leading a defense that has only had one real slip up this year (i.e., 2-goals in a half against Puerto Rico) = good.
Cameron Knowles with the third most shots on the team = bad.
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
