Comments on: Match 17: Portland Timbers 0-2 Puerto Rico Islanders

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:32:47 +0000

Bob, Justin Thompson was most definitely at fault for sleep-walking on Fabrice Noel’s goal. That’s probably why Gavin pulled him at halftime for Tim Karalexis. Smart move.

And having watched plenty of Jamil Walker at DC United, I think he’s a better player than Bryan Jordan. And he’s faster. Remember that he just flew into Portland on the morning of the game, and he hasn’t yet become acquainted with any of his teammates.

A frontline of Bagley-Suzuki has absolutely no pace, which means it’s not likely to break down a defense with our tactics.

By: Islanders4Ever

Islanders4Ever — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:56:36 +0000

Thanks for the kudos! Had a lovely time last night. The Timbers Army is great.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:48:14 +0000

The statistic that the Timbers have been shutout 5 times out of 9 at home is damning not only to the players but the staff. That’s almost inexcusable.

And like others have noted: more Olum.

By: Zack

Zack — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:59:38 +0000

Well said OscarM! The physical play does not suit Taka at all.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:58:22 +0000

The announcers are all over Suzuki too man… That’s another thing I got real tired of. “He’s taken a corner in the World Cup so he should take this one” or “He’s taken a few shots in the World Cup so we should pass him the ball” Give me a break the guy is out of his element and can’t play a ball in the air or win a header. He’s not physical enough for this kind of play and looked like he was getting beat up by his big brother last night. Move the guy to midfield and get on with it

By: OscarM

OscarM — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:41:17 +0000

The entire midfield needs to be rebuilt. Whether it’s the scheme, or more likely, the bad, slow players, it is not working. The T’s can’t hold a position in the middle third to save their lives. The offense consists of one optimistic long ball after another shot over the midfield. Last night, Puerto Rico really exposed how unathletic this team really is.

As to Mr. Suzuki, the league has learned how to deal with him. Rough him up a bit and he’s done.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:34:24 +0000

I dont blame you Bickle… I played in an adult rec league soccer game last night that looked more like soccer than what was going on in the first half of the timbers game last night… Enough with the long balls, keep possession!

By: Dr Bickle

Dr Bickle — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:44:08 +0000

I gave away my ticket for Tuesday. I need a break from this crap.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:42:44 +0000

The first goal was definitely not the fault of the defensive line, in my opinion. It was the midfield, specifically Guante (and perhaps GW by extension due to tactics). GW apparently loves to play with a compact midfield… what that ends up meaning is that every single time the Timbers were defending and the ball was on the left side of the Timbers’ midfield, Guante (the right midfielder) was across the equator of the field and into the left side of the field, leaving roughly 30-40 yards of open space behind him. Every single time. Same thing for Higgins when the ball was on our right side. This is bad for two reasons: 1) if the opponent can successfully make a cross-field pass at all, you’re hosed, and 2) even if the compact midfield does its job and regains possession, half your team is then within 20 yards of one another when switching to offense and there’s no proper spacing or passing channels to quickly and effectively outlet and do anything moving forward. Not good times all around. On PR’s first goal, all they had to do was make one successful 30 yard cross field pass to a wide open player on the wing in acres of free space because Guante was compacting the middle, and bada bing, the guy on the wing had roughly a day and a half to make up his mind on how to finish the offensive move.

And on a different note: dangerous to the players, bad behavior by the fans, blah blah blah… nah, the flying pigs was the best thing about the night. And PR’s keeper was a good sport about it and seemed to be having fun with it all.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:39:55 +0000

Its painful watching a new, top notch keeper getting hung out to dry game after game. Knighton hasn’t been cut any slack by the timbers sleeping defense. Should have been 2-2 anyways… well better yet should have been 2-0 timbers. Those guys in back need to talk and wake up.