Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls Preview and Match Thread
by Geoff Gibson on Sep 24, 2011 12:16 PM PDT
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So Wednesday's game didn't go exactly as planned. Unfortunately, despite earning the three points at home like the Timbers were supposed to, they abrely hung on to the single point against a struggling San Jose Earthquakes side. And this AFTER both Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA did the Portland Timbers a huge favor by beating/drawing their respective Eastern Conference sides... frustrating to say the least.
So that makes tonight's game all the more important, a win tonight would bring the Timbers back up to safer play off levels especially if San Jose also manages to beat the Colorado Rapids putting the two teams within a point of each other in the standings.
Of course, to do that the Timbers will have to win on the road... something they've only done a single time so far this season.
Assessing Our Team
Let's get this out of the way right now: the Timbers did not play at all well last Wednesday. I don't know what the problem was. maybe it was exhaustion, maybe they just had a fluke night. Regardless, I didn't like it. It reminded me of the dark days during the middle of the summer when the team went on a rather long losing streak.
The big news heading into tonight's match is the two guys up top: Darlington Nagbe and Kenny Cooper. In the past two games these two have each scored and/or assisted in scoring. This could be the combination we've been looking for all season. No offense to Jorge Perlaza ho is himself a very talented striker as well, but we'll need these guys producing as they have been tonight, Nageb especially who is an incredibly talented midfielder.
Next I'd like to see captain Jack jewsbury getting back into the game a bit. Despite the Timbers recent run of good form, it's been a while since I've seen him make a meaningful impact on the game and he was all but invisible against San Jose. His last assist was against the Vancouver Whitecaps over a month ago and his last goal was in Portland's 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. As a team the Timbers need him to show up each and every game.
Finally, I'd like to see David Horst starting ahead of Futty Danso once again. Futty was a fine sub while Horst was out but during the last game I wasn't seeing the same sort of conviction out of the center backs than I was back when Horst was playing regularly. Plus with the exhaustion of three games in just over a week, it might be better to see Futty come out anyways.
Here's my projected (hopeful) starting line up:
Troy Perkins; Mike Chabala, David Horst, Eric Brunner, Lovel Palmer; Kalif Alhassan, Jack Jewsbury (c), Diego Chara, Sal Zizzo; Kenny Cooper, Darlington Nagbe
Assessing the Enemy
The New York Red Bulls are an interesting side and one that's increasingly challenging to figure out, partly because they've had a busy transfer season, but also because they're an incredibly talented side on paper that seems to be failing dramatically during actual play.
The big news coming out of their camp this week is the whole affair with Rafael Marquez, the team's second highest paid player behind Thierry Henry. Coming over from Barcelona FC he was expected to shore up the midfield and defense to the point where it would be unstoppable. Instead, he's flubbed around and given up far too many goals whilst at the same time blaming his other team mates for not being up to his level. Oh yes, this guy has quite the ego...
No one yet knows what the outcome of this drama will be on the field. My guess is the team would be fairly demoralized. What we do know is that NRYB head coach Hans Backe has sidelined the Mexican international for his incredulous statements. As such we'll probably see Stephen Keel (whoo!) in his position next to Tim Ream.
Of course, up top the New York side is still just as dangerous as ever with golden boot contender Thierry Henry leading the pack. Despite the recent performances of the team, and the Rafa Marquez drama, Henry has been an incredible player throughout so expect him to be giving the Timbers backline problems all night.
Final Thoughts
Must win... two words I'm thoroughly sick of saying right now. In all honesty though, tonight's game probably isn't a must win. It's a needed win. It's a win that would be super amazing to have. But if the Timbers go home with one or zero points tonight they won't be entirely out of play off contention. Still with important games at Vancouver away and at home against Houston coming up next three points in New York tonight would go a long long towards ensuring the post season position.
--
Tonight's game kicks off at 4:30 PM on ROOT SPORTS.
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If anyone is going to Vancouver Away, come make special Away t-shirts with the Northern Alliance!
Dublin Down bar in downtown Vancouver (8th and Main St.) starting around 3:30. We’ll also be doing a viewing party!
Blazers win!
Timbers starting XI: G Perkins, D Chabala, D Brunner, D Futty, D Palmer, M Alexander, M Jewsbury, M Chara, M Alhassan, F Cooper, F Nagbe
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
"His teammates aren't as good as he is"
They should make him play all positions at one.
Follow @JasonCoug
CougCenter member since before you were born
Zizzo
Really think he needed a rest.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Come on Keel
Score us another one
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Please tell me those chants are from the Timbers Army
by Sabonis4Ever on Sep 24, 2011 4:41 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
yeah
But that place is empty enough.
by Sabonis4Ever on Sep 24, 2011 4:48 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Found out Estrella TV broadcast is basically the Spanish radio broadcast on TV
what an odd set up.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Possession lookin good so far
I like it. Eric Alexander is an interesting start, but I like what I see so far.
Seems more possession based
Rather than a counter based Zizzo
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Good skill to
Great play to take it off his chest to get a shot
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Would rather have had a handball but
It was dangerous
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Wow
We look like the home team the way we are keeping the ball and they are sitting back.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
one concerning thing is our backs seem to be a lil to casual thus far
theres been a few challenges where they seem a lil slow with the ball
Well this ref is swallowing his whistle
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
My mom said is best
Lazy passes right now
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Not all on Chara
Palmer and Chara
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Call the foul but book Rodgers
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
by Kejsare on Sep 24, 2011 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
MLS Officiating
There is no word that I use that can describe it.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
As a sack of sh*t
Luke Rogers is allowed one of those per game.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions
There is a Ref at this game?
Could have fooled me
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
That isn't good for the Timbers.
We’re not good at pushing around or even pushing back.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions
im gonna look at it this way
it could be good cuz if it gets completely outta control t he first half it means at halftime the refs will discuss it, and in teh second half tons of calls. Which hopefully gives us a chance at a set piece goal
Not Good
DC is already up 3-0 on RSL
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
If someone were to kick Henry in the face I wouldn't complain.
Follow @JasonCoug
CougCenter member since before you were born
definitely, definitely Rogers
pull out the Conan stamp: ASS!
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions
We can get one back
But we really need to pick up the play, and maybe even complete a pass.
volatilelyle.com
I don't understand
why does the broadcast show a player up close while the ball is in play? A NYRB player that they aren’t even talking about?
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Me too
But this guy is better than Geln Davis at least
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
BAh
Well maybe that might be good to mix it up a little next match
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Lindpere's getting worn out from all the corners.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions
on the bright side...
we should be pretty fresh for the second half, cuz we definatly didn’t exert to much that first half
did the game get moved from FOX to ROOT?
Why does Yahoo! say Fox12 tv?
by wild.twins.ravens.win on Sep 24, 2011 5:36 PM PDT reply actions
Probably because the mariners were moved to Fox
Follow @JasonCoug
CougCenter member since before you were born
They also seem pretty content
to concede possession well into their own territory. That makes me pretty uncomfortable watching it.
Taxes don't kill jobs.
I hate it when Portland does that. When they clobbered the Galaxy, they challenged everything in the midfield. LA could hardly move the ball into the attacking third at all.
by encephalopath on Sep 24, 2011 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
It seems like the Red Bulls are doing the same chant over and over
(drumming)oooOOOOooooOOOoooooOOOOOoooooOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOO
and to be honest that was a great strike by al hassan, and a nother great hit by cooper
I didn’t know cooper could get up in the air
Two brilliant strikes
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
this is bs
the refs giving this game away
by Dustin Petersen on Sep 24, 2011 6:00 PM PDT reply actions
I see a fine coming
From our Coach
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yes they can
Very rarely is it over turned
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I know he was sent off
but do the rules state he has to be given a red?
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I think what you mean is if it is a handball does it deserve a red
No, because it was not a deliberate hand ball.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
So a handball in the box isn't auto red?
and the ref effed us twice?
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe a deliberate handball is a straight red
But a non deliberate one is usually a red.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
actually you may be right ryan
its up to the ref, but if its not deliberate then he doens’t have to give a red card
Actually ryan whether its inentional or not
if any foul stops a clear goal scoring chance then its an automatic red
True
A foul on the last man is always a red but I have seen that kind of play usually called a penalty and then a yellow given.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
heres the two rules that apply to this situation
- denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
- denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
The key word is deliberately
That was not a deliberate hand ball he even tried to move his hand out of the way
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
There has been discussions of stopping that practice, give the player a yellow instead
because the red is more like a double whammy, goal AND a player gone. Unless the handball was clearly intentional.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Lots of beeps with a Scottish accent
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I woudl love it if Merrit called spencer after the game and said
“I got your fine, say whatever you want and i’ll cover it”
Anyone else want to punch someone from New York?
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Time to root for Vancouver tonight
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Forget about the injustice of the red card
This match was lost in the first half with a lousy overall team effort, an embarrassing lack of quality on the ball, fitness again being called into question, and the disastrous decision to start Alexander on the RW.
We at least had a chance to dig ourselves out of the hole
The ref filled it in with cement.
I don’t feel comfortable assuming a win or even a tie, and it isn’t the ref’s fault that we got this result. But his performance was god awful. We at least would have had a chance if this game was called even better.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Sep 24, 2011 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions
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