Execution Needed From The Timbers

As the Chivas USA game was about to begin on Saturday night at JELD-WEN field, I felt great about what was to come. Coming off a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake the week before, the determined Timbers looked confident and eager to begin the match up against Chivas USA. The Timbers knew what needed to be modified before the match-up against Chivas, who had defeated RSL earlier in the season with a 1-0 surprise win. Head Coach John Spencer consistently stressed the importance of his players needing to play the full 90 minutes with force, not letting down for one second. Outplaying their opponents from early in the game is the attack mentality that Spencer has been discussing since the Timbers preseason.

Now, with the Timbers posting a 2-1 loss against Chivas USA, it is apparent that something is slightly “off” with the Timbers game of play. In the first half of play, the Timbers applied Spencer’s approach and pressured Chivas on goal. With Kris Boyd out to score early on in play, the Timbers continued to force their offensive vitality on Chivas. With the new record of 1-1-3, Spencer says we must not panic, but bring more intensity to the field. With one of the largest fan bases in the country, the Portland Timber fans create a champion style atmosphere at every home game. So what is lacking for the Timbers?

With their third consecutive loss, the Timbers nearly slipped to last place in the Western Conference with only four points this season. The only team below them, the LA Galaxy, will be the Timbers next opponent this coming Saturday. With the conclusion of the RSL game, I felt positive about the progress the Timbers were looking to make this season. Though a loss, RSL appeared to squeak away with a bit of luck. The feeling throughout JELD-WEN stadium at the end of the Chivas game was entirely different. The Timbers weren’t playing how we (fans) all knew they could.

Out to an early 1-0 Timber lead, Chivas player Alejandro Moreno answered with a net to the corner early in the second half. Chivas came out in full force the second half as head coach Robin Fraser applied his attack plays to the Timbers weak spots on the field. The Timbers didn’t answer quickly enough as Chivas continued to maneuver around Timbers defense with persistence up and down the field. Chivas USA player Nick LaBrocca continued with the pressure adding the game winning shot in the 82^nd minute of play.

While it was the Timbers third straight loss, Spencer continues to stress the importance of undying continued effort during every minute of play. Battling injuries early in the season for some of the Timbers key players has also placed more strain on the flow of Timbers play.

The Timbers seem to be getting a late start on their MLS play this season, but Spencer stresses “with a bit of luck” things will begin to turn around. Next up for the Timbers is the LA Galaxy. The Timbers have already secured a win over the Galaxy earlier in the season. The game airs at 7:30pm this Saturday from Los Angeles.