Game 28: Puerto Rico Islanders v. Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers play the second of their season-ending four game road trip away to Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday. The Timbers find themselves six points clear of the Islanders on the USL table and two positions above in the playoff standing. In order for Portland to retain fourth place and the option of choosing when and where they will play in the first round of the playoffs, the Timbers will need a positive result against a very solid Puerto Rico side.

The first match-up between these two teams this season came just two weeks ago in the Timbers’ emotional farewell match at PGE Park. The 1-0 victory vaulted Portland clear of their Caribbean rivals and helped solidify the current fourth place position. The Islanders recently had a nine-game unbeaten streak snapped, having lost twice in their past four games, including their loss away to Portland. Though Los Isleños did just defeat league-leading Austin 3-1 on Saturday. Even more recently Puerto Rico lost away to Toluca in the CONCACAF Champions League, 3-0 on Wednesday night.

For Portland, the importance of the match is obvious. With only three games left in the regular season, fourth place is the Timbers’ to lose. Portland are amid a seven-game unbeaten streak, not having lost since August 4. Continuing that momentum into the playoffs would be a major improvement over how the 2009 Commissioners Cup winners rounded out their regular season. Portland have a long tradition of struggling in the playoffs, so any advantage going into the two-legged rounds would be very helpful.

On the pitch, Gavin Wilkinson continues to experiment with formations as key players have missed recent matches. Futty Danso’s call up to The Gambia’s national side and Ryan Pore’s absence due to family reasons have given players like Quavas Kirk and Rodrigo Lopez a chance to start and play well. Wilkinson’s midfield diamond was successful in every way but producing a goal against Carolina RailHawks last weekend. Pore’s return will almost assuredly see the diamond disappear, but for the first time this season, instead of repeated line-up changes for the sake of MLS try-outs, Wilkinson is thinking outside the very limited flat 4-4-2 box.

Newly-signed defender Kevin Goldthwaite has yet to feature for the Timbers, though it is possible he could be fit down in Puerto Rico. Khalif Alhassan and Ibad Muhamadu continue to see playing time and play creatively. Muhamadu and Lopez combined well against Carolina, though again without a resulting goal. Eventually Portland will need someone other than Pore or Bright Dike to score a goal, so the sooner that happens, the better.

Category: Portland Timbers, USSF Division II