Game 27: Carolina 0 – Timbers 0

Portland Timbers ran their unbeaten streak to seven games in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful nil-nil draw away to Carolina RailHawks. The Timbers’ point keeps them four points clear of Carolina in the playoff race, though the RailHawks do have a game in hand. Both goalkeepers played very well, saving several strong shots each. In the end, Portland’s slim hopes of catching Rochester for third place are all but gone.

Rodrigo Lopez, Ibad Muhamadu and Ross Smith were the best players on the pitch for Portland, though Steve Cronin did his part in earning yet another clean sheet. But again, despite a strong showing and several nice looks at goal, Portland simply could not do enough to score the goals required to win the game. Missing Ryan Pore due to a family funeral did not help that cause, though it did allow Gavin Wilkinson to experiment with formation. Bright Dike and Muhamadu played up front with Keith Savage pushed up just behind the top two as the point of a midfield diamond. That slight change allowed for distribution straight up the middle and a different point of attack. As interesting as it was to try something new, zero goals means that while it did not hurt the Timbers, it certainly did not help to pick up three important points.

With just three regular season games left, Portland will have significant challenges if the fourth position is to be retained. Games away to Puerto Rico, Palace and Vancouver mean that any further points lost could drop the Timbers out of their top four status.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II