Game 1: Timbers 1 – Rochester 0

Photo by Steven D. Lenhart

The 2010 season opened slowly but in the end Portland Timbers gave the 15,000+ crowd what it wanted, a victory over Rochester Rhinos. A Ryan Pore (pictured) penalty in the 85th minute sealed the season’s first game for the home side and provided a preview of what is possible with this club this season. The Timbers did not play a particularly sharp first half but as the game progressed, Portland started to figure things out and ended the game with a flurry of chances. The goal for Pore was well deserved after narrowly missing on two earlier attempts. And the key all night for the Timbers was the improved size and skill in defense. Newcomers Ian Joy and Quavas Kirk played well in their Timbers debuts on the outside while Futty Danso and Stephen Keel’s play on the interior made keeper Steve Cronin’s life easy enough to record the first clean sheet of the season.

Rochester nearly broke the game open several times in the first half with long balls directed to young forward Andrew Hoxie. The 6′4″ front man was able to beat the Timbers offside traps and receive balls deep in the Portland half. On two occasions it was only his final touch that failed him as his weak shots caused Cronin no trouble in front of goal. After those two instances the Timbers were much more compact in defense and did not allow another serious attempt until a header sailed just over the bar in the second half. Still, it was clear that the quality of defense is going to be a strength for this Timbers side. Skipper Joy clearly got better as the game wore on and right back Kirk engaged in several interesting overlaps with either Rodrigo Lopez or James Marcelin falling back to allow the newboy to drift into the attack. As a former forward and midfielder, Kirk has the ball skills to do some damage coming upfield on the right. If he can get crosses into the box, a whole new level of attack will be created for the Timbers.

Pore was clearly the best player on the field for Portland last night. He had three of the five best chances and took six shots all together. In the first half, Pore embarked on a marauding run up the left flank before cutting to his right, evading defenders and sending a shot just inches wide of the left post. Pore’s inside-out play on the left gives him an edge in driving into the heart of defense with his stronger foot. It is true that the midfielder left two freekicks well short of useful and he did blast a wide open shot over the bar early in the second half. But his challenges late in the game were instrumental in earning the corner kick that ultimately led to the penalty. Pore sent a wonderful shot across the goal, clearly beating Rochester keeper Scott Vallow, but it rattled the left post.

Danso and Alex Nimo each had quality chances in the second half as well. Futty’s header lifted dangerously but ultimately harmlessly over the bar. Nimo was left with a completely open net and but couldn’t get his attempt out of the side netting with just ten minutes left in the second half.

Despite several periods of uncertain play and an early tendency to lose their shape, the Timbers took three points and move up to second place in the USL division behind Austin Aztex who have surprisingly won both of their games. Lots of room for improvement but certainly many signs of a strong, deep squad. The attack was greatly improved with the inclusion of Nimo and Brian Farber in the second half while Lopez showed great control and skill with the ball after looking very nervous and tentative most of last season. The Timbers host AC St. Louis on Thursday, April 22 at PGE Park. St. Louis have lost both of their games and scored just one goal while allowing four.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II