Game 21: Portland Timbers v. NSC Minnesota Stars

After watching the spectacular success of their U-23 side last weekend, the Portland Timbers’ first team will try to pick up three points at home to NSC Minnesota on Wednesday. In their last game, Portland lost away to Rochester, leaving the Timbers nine points shy of second place in the USL table and only ahead of Minnesota on goal difference for third. That proximity in standing, regardless of Portland’s two games in hand, make Wednesday’s tie a vital one for both sides. With only ten games left to play for Portland, and only eight for Minnesota, playoff hopes can be bolstered or squandered.

Portland have completed a very disappointing road trip and return home for three games in August at PGE Park. The failure to earn more than a single point after a tough win at Vancouver has left the Timbers with a difficult stretch to close out this 2010 season. With construction set to begin on PGE Park in less than a month, the club will have its final four games away from home ahead of the playoffs. That puts extra pressure on the club to win the four remaining home games (the fourth coming on September 2) to ensure a position in the post-season. A long stretch of home games early in the season was supposed to give the Timbers a buffer with away games backloaded in the schedule. Instead Portland wasted easy games against poor competition and are now faced with struggles like Wednesday’s game against Minnesota.

The good news for the Timbers is that Minnesota have only won one of their past six, though they have drawn their last four. The last time the two teams faced off at PGE Park, Portland put in one of the most putrid displays imaginable, losing 1-0 on June 17. They rebounded in their next game, away to Minnesota, winning 2-0.

Portland need three home points on Wednesday. The failure to take all three would be a major step toward a poor end to what was once a promising season.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II