Game 12: Timbers 0 – Minnesota 1

The Portland Timbers did it again. They failed to produce a positive result for the eighth consecutive game and failed to score in their third straight. Portland have now not scored in the league since June 6. Instead, NSC Minnesota Stars used a fine goal from Ely Allen and escaped the first of back-to-back games with the Timbers with three points. Those points extend their lead above Portland in the USL table, leaving the Timbers a full four points short of even fourth place.

It was more of the same for Portland as the offense created very few legitimate chances that of course amounted to nothing. For some reason Ryan Pore continues to take free kicks, despite his utter inability to get a ball over or around a wall. His corner kicks have been disastrous as well. The best chances the Timbers have had on goal in the past few weeks have come from Rodrigo Lopez or Alex Nimo free kicks. How Gavin Wilkinson hasn’t realized this yet is astounding. Actually, it isn’t. He’s clearly giving Pore an extended MLS try-out, which has failed as a policy all year long. Portland had more shots (15-9) and far more corners (8-2) yet could not score even once.

The Timbers also lost James Marcelin after his red card in the box got him sent off in the second half. Lucky for the Timbers, Steve Cronin saved the penalty and provided the blushes that would’ve come from a multi-goal loss to yet another expansion club. Allowing an opponent to score one goal per game is not a bad record for a defensive unit. Portland’s back line is usually competent enough and that kind of goals against rate should, mathematically, earn results. Yet the offense has been so abysmal, scoring a goal in only six of the twelve games, that even a clean sheet doesn’t guarantee more than one point.

This season is going down the toilet, and fast. The fans are unhappy, the players are underperforming and management is so focused on 2011 that they couldn’t care less. Wilkinson has used a different lineup in every one of the twelve games so far, ruining any chance of continuity among players. Of course that is all part of the rolling try-outs for MLS. Unfortunately, apart from maybe Cronin, not a single player has played anywhere close to even that level.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II