Game 27: Carolina RailHawks v. Portland Timbers

With just four games left in this 2010 season, Portland Timbers begin their final road trip of the year with a big game in Cary against Carolina RailHawks. Carolina are the side closest to the Timbers on the table and have a game in hand. In their only other match-up this season, the RailHawks scored an injury-time goal to draw 1-1 with Portland at PGE Park in early June.

Portland have gone their past six games without a loss and have moved from a near-dead heat with several clubs to the clear leader for fourth position in the playoffs. The Timbers have allowed just a single goal in the past five games and have won four. During this run, the club have finally settled on a a general starting XI and given youngster Bright Dike a chance to flourish up front. Yet the streak of six unbeaten games could mean very little if the Timbers are unable to earn results away from home down the stretch. Portland have already qualified for the playoffs, but positioning remains unsettled with just a month left of the regular season.

Dike and Ryan Pore continue to carry the Timbers offensive load, scoring 22 of the club’s 28 league goals this season. If Portland are to have success deep into the fall, someone else will need to provide even a threat of attack. Ibad Muhamadu and Khalif Alhassan are both supremely gifted on the ball and should at least force defenders to think about them, but neither has scored to this point. The Timbers should introduce defender Kevin Goldthwaite in Cary this weekend, having signed the veteran defender after his release from Red Bull New York earlier this summer. Goldthwaite will make a late case for his inclusion in the MLS Timbers but will need to see the field in order to impress.

Ultimately, despite the current streak and secure playoff position, Portland still have a long final month ahead. Starting the final road trip with three points from a difficult opponent would be the ideal step toward post-season success.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II