Portland Defeats Houston 2-0 in Pre-season
by Ryan Gates on Feb 12, 2012 12:35 PM PST
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PrintPortland came out in a 4-5-1 and Nagbe saw his first action of the pre-season as Portland defeated the Houston Dynamo 2-0. The goals came from Captain Jack Jewsbury (on an assist from Ryan Kawoluk) and James Marcelin.
From the tweets Bright Dike started as the lone man up top, with Songo'o playing either as a withdrawn striker or an attacking mid. The defense was pretty shaky in the early goings, but Troy Perkins made some nice saves to keep the clean sheet. More information and recaps as we get them.
Starting line-up:
Portland's Starting 11 Perkins; Palmer, Brunner, Danso, Wallace; Alhassan, Jewsbury, Songo'o, Chara, Alexander; Dike
Subs: 46' Nagbe > Alhassan, 54' Kowaluk > Palmer, 62' Marcelin > Chara, 66' Balcazar > Jewsbury, 72' Ibarra > Alexander, Rincon > Songo'o, Perlaza > Dike, 82' Chabala > Wallace
Houston's Starting 11 Hall; Sarkodie, Cameron, Sturgis, Recio; Emerson Sato, Moffat, Watson, Arreola; Kandji, Bruin.
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4-5-1
I feel this will only be used in the USOC. We are very heavy on midfield talent right now, so maybe Spencer is playing with it. Dike can run the single attacker formation, but the rest of the Forwards would benefit from the second forward. Getting Nagbe, Songo’o, Kalif and Alexander all in the midfield is pretty sick sounding, though.
by Howry on Feb 12, 2012 1:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I see us using this lineup late in games we are up in.
especially if boyd is showing fatigue. But if Boyd is on the field we will stick to a 4 4 2. It is unfortunate we will probably only see an attacking 4 5 1 in usop and reserve games but I think it is the right decision given our talent level and personnel.
I see them bringing Marcelin in as an extra midfielder and putting Dike up top by his lonesome
In games we are up by two or more goals in the final twenty minutes.
by P Town Player on Feb 12, 2012 2:06 PM PST up reply actions
Another good showing from the boys!
we are getting a lot of goals from players I wouldn’t expect to contribute. It is preseason but it shows good signs of on field chemistry getting lots of players involved in the attack. :)
out of six goals scored so far
2 from strikers
2 from Marcelin
2 from everyone else.
More Marcelin!
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 12, 2012 2:31 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
What forwards scored? Dike had one i think but I cant remember another forward goal?
I have a bad memory. LOL. too much hookers and blow!
by P Town Player on Feb 12, 2012 2:44 PM PST up reply actions
Dike, Perlaza, Marcelin, Danso, Jewsbury, Marcelin
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Feb 12, 2012 2:59 PM PST up reply actions
Oh right, and Danso's was a PK, so that one really doesn't count as being from a position
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 12, 2012 3:13 PM PST up reply actions
Marcelin's shot
That shot was nice. High and off the crossbar! We need more of that this season from EVERYONE!!
They have pics up on timbers site.
Wallace getting beaten and Perkins bailing him out is my favorite!
Still no Renken?
I thought he had joined the team already. I hope we get a chance to see him soon.
He has.
GCA. Tweeted about him practicing with the team yesterday.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Feb 12, 2012 4:09 PM PST up reply actions
He is still young
and he already has a contract. There are 7 guys fighting over 3-4 roster spots that Spenny wants to check out in games. Plus he just joined up with the team this week so he is slowly getting him used to the team.
Very true
So the question is does Portland carry 30 players this year or do they only carry 28 to allow for more allocation money?
Also Palmer is most likely going to be out for 2 weeks or so because of a quad injury. Does this allow for more of a look at some of those looking to make the roster? OR should Spenny start to focus on getting the starters together.
I would assume the rest of the trip is whittling down the roster and the pre-season tournament is nailing down who should start on opening day.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Palmer was unlikely to be the starting RB anyway
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 12, 2012 8:55 PM PST up reply actions
Just curious
Who was going to start in place of him? I haven’t seen training like you have so just wondering.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
+1
There was an article about Purdy a few weeks back stating something to the fact he had opportunities to play abroad and went to Spencer and said I want to play here but I want minutes and Spencer telling him he would get playing time here.
Don’t know if that means he will get more starts at RB or whether he was talking more reserves and exhibitions. Not sold on Palmer at RB as he got burned more than I would like, but it could be just him settling into the team.
It looks like we have decent talent in camp to carry 30 players. Interesting that Kawulok came in at RB today and actually had a nice assist. Not seen him play, but was under the impression he was a CB or DM.
Gah!
I had this awesome long response to your post and my 18 month old daughter climbs up and hits cancel! Second go at it.
Last pre-season I remember Purdy and Zizzo just tearing it up with how well they played together and then Zizzo gets injured and Purdy never looked the same after that. Not sure what happened but it seems like Purdy is better than he showed last year and if I remember correctly didn’t Purdy play CB or other positions during his USL stay?
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Purdy plays CB for El Salvador if I'm not mistaken
and as tall as he is, he certainly looks like a CB. But all signs have been pointing to Purdy being the go-to at RB. The work he put in on the reserve squad has apparently helped his case.
All speculation, of course. In any case, I’m glad most of the USL alumni are still alive and kicking in 2012. Marcelin, Futty, Alhassan, Purdy … am I missing anyone?
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 12, 2012 10:31 PM PST up reply actions
I would be surprised if this happened
Purdy lost his spot at RB to Jeremy Hall of all people. Palmer then started for a team that gave up just over 1 goal per game down the stretch last season. I don’t have to remind anyone what the goals against was like before that.
Wallace at LB, Purdy at RB and it’s 2011 all over again.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 12, 2012 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
Dike
I am constantly surprised at how often he’s overlooked…Why is that?
"I'm not blind, I'm deaf, I'm halfway to a ref!" (Well technically I'm 1/3rd of the way since I can properly call offsides, but that doesn't sound as catchy..)
because he's raw
he is a work in progress, he has the brute force and killer instinct to be a very good opportunistic striker, but he’s got some things to iron out – we chose him over umony which is a good sign. this year i hope to see him used sparingly as a late sub for boyd/perlaza/nagbe and start during reserves/usoc. patience.
by #1 Leverage Fan on Feb 13, 2012 8:26 AM PST up reply actions
He was injured last year
Last year he never fully regained his fitness after his achilles injury, which is certainly understandable.
This year he is showing the speed and vision that he had when he played with the USL team. He probably won’t start many first team matches, but I think he will develop a lot this year. He linked up very well with Nagbe on the reserve team last year, so I think pairing the two of them up front every once in a while will be a good option to have. I hope they start him instead of Boyd now and then when the team has to play on short rest.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 13, 2012 8:54 AM PST up reply actions
I don't disagree
It was more so a reference to people overlooking him as a USL carry-over. I don’t expect him to start often, if ever. If he stays healthy, I think he could contribute a lot coming off the bench, especially towards the end of the season.
"I'm not blind, I'm deaf, I'm halfway to a ref!" (Well technically I'm 1/3rd of the way since I can properly call offsides, but that doesn't sound as catchy..)
He also played CB for FC Dallas while he was with them.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Feb 12, 2012 10:42 PM PST up reply actions
The kit looks really tacky with the shorts having different color stripes than the training jerseys
If they were both dark green like the jersey it would look pretty cool.
volatilelyle.com
hmmm
interesting in the GCA OLive article he notes that kalif was subbed due to lack of hustle and turnovers. dont really know what to think of that. hope kalif gets back on track.
by Homes In Catacombs on Feb 12, 2012 4:59 PM PST reply actions
That is his perception.
I believe Alhassan has played a lot of minutes in the last 3 games. Also it was Nagbe who subbed in for Alhassan and he has not seen any minutes which is more likely the reason he was subbed out.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
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