Portland Timbers face the Carolina RailHawks

By: Bob Kellett | July 24th, 2008

USL First Division action returns to PGE Park on Thursday evening when the Portland Timbers attempt to do something they haven’t done since April 26: win a league game at home. This effort will have to be made without the services of defender Tim Karalexis and forward Benjamin Totori. They are both out for the season with injuries. The loss of Karalexis is especially difficult since he has been the only player off the bench to see any significant time in the backline and it happens just when it seems that Justin Thompson had fallen out of favor with Gavin Wilkinson. Totori, who only logged 78 minutes this season, never was able to get on track in Portland and frankly never was able to demonstrate the speed that brought him here in the first place. Too bad. I thought it was a great story that a kid from the Solomon Islands made his way to Portland. His departure will probably free up some minutes for Jamil Walker, who is the lone player with speed in the list of forwards that includes: Chris Brown, Takayuki Suzuki, Byron Alvarez and Chris Bagley.

Depth in the wrong places
According to league commissioner and Soccer City USA overlord Allison Andrews, Shaun Higgins, Takayuki Suzuki and Justin Thompson have all accumulated enough cards to warrant for an upcoming game. That game may or may not be this one against Carolina — apparently the league has some kind of 7-day grace period for the sake of appeals. My understanding is that Justin Thompson will be available on Thursday. Not sure about Taka or Higgins. Take away those three guys and that leaves the Timbers with 17 field players. That list includes Vardan Adzemian, Scott Bolkan and Troy Ready — none of whom have played a single regular season minute this year. I’ve asked this before and I’ll ask it again. Why the fuck are the Timbers still carrying four keepers?

Being Gavin Wilkinson
No thanks. I’d rather not be Gavin Wilkinson at this point. I have a honeymoon to enjoy. I like not having ulcers. I’m going to assume he’s missing a few players and that he’ll be forced to go with the following against Carolina:

Knighton
S. Thompson Knowles J. Thompson Griffin
Guante Brown Poltl Little
Alvarez Olum

If Justin Thompson can’t go, I can’t imagine a defensive minded coach like Wilkinson going with three in the back. I remember Bobby Howe did that once with Gavin as the lone central defender. I don’t remember the score of that game because I ended up drinking a lot afterward. It was ugly and I’m not talking about my drinking.

Blog Central’s coverage for this game
It will be minimal. I can’t attend and I have one foot on the beach already, while ten fingers on the keyboard trying to finish up work duties. I’ll gather up the other reports and offer whatever insight I can on Friday morning. You kids have fun watching this one.

Match Previews (Updated when available)