Portland here, Portland there

By: Bob Kellett | August 13th, 2008

It would have taken the consumption of a lot of beer to convince me before the start of this season that 20-some games into the campaign both the Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers would be on the wrong side of the USL First Division cutoff line (I’d be happy to test this beer theory before next season). Montreal is traditionally one of the stronger teams in the league thanks in part to its youth development system and comparatively deep pockets. The Timbers were coming off a year where they finished second in the league and were a failed penalty spot contest away from reaching the league final. Alas, both teams have underperformed this year and with two head-to-head contests against one another left in the campaign their fates may be tied to one another.

Watching the Impact beat the Rochester Rhinos 1-0 Wednesday night, I was struck by how similar they looked to the Timbers. They struggled to hold possession, had difficulty generating an attack, looked slow and were prone to a few defensive lapses that were shocking. They did something the Timbers haven’t been able to do, however. They won at home. That makes two victories in a row, and three wins from the last five games for the Impact who are even with the Timbers in the table with three games in hand.

With little to no margin for error, the Timbers’ two games left against the Impact are crucial. I’m just afraid it might be the wrong time of the season for Portland to be facing Montreal, a team that is suddenly remembering how to win.

BJ on TOTW
You know how Bryan Jordan has only played seven games for the Timbers this season? He’s still the team’s assists leader with two. He’s also now tied for the lead in appearances on the USL Team of the Week after receiving the honor for the second consecutive week.

AFG in the center of controversy
Maybe that Andrew Gregor trade will pay off for the Timbers after all. Because of a flap over when Rochester held him out following his fifth yellow card of the season, which carries an automatic one-game suspension, the Rhinos might be docked points.

From the Democrat and Chronicle blog:

I’m hearing because the Rhinos used Gregor essentially illegally on Aug. 10 — I’m told the league informs each team on Tuesdays which players are suspended and for when — they might have one point taken away from them in the standings. Tilley alluded to some bad news coming tomorrow to me a little while ago on the phone. This could be it and it could be devastating when you consider how close the league race is now.

Attaboy, Andrew! Your hometown club needs all the playoff help it can get.

By the way, I just noticed that the Rhinos Luke Kreamalmayer is second in the league with six assists — that’s one more than the entire Portland midfield for those scoring at home. It is nice to see him having a back bounce season after falling out of favor in Portland last year.

Hmmm, some teams take it seriously
Congratulations to the Charleston Battery for defeating the Seattle Sounders in penalties to advance to the US Open Cup final against DC United. With the victory, the Battery will earn at least $60,000 – $10,000 for being the last USL-1 team in the competition and $50,000 for being runner-up. If they win, that number gets bumped up to $110,000. Somehow they have been able to make a long run in the tournament without sacrificing their league season. They are third in the table at the moment. I guess it doesn’t have to be an either/or after all.

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