Timbers Man of the Match: Knocking Off Number One Edition [Poll]

Coming in to last night's game against the San Jose Earthquakes, nobody was really sure which Timbers team would show up. Would it be the team that battled and earned wins against the likes of Sporting Kansas City and the Seattle Sounders or the confused group that was torched for three goals only three days before by the Colorado Rapids? Thankfully for Timbers fans everywhere it was the former, with outstanding performances to chose from across the field for the Man of the Match.

Andy - Franck Songo'o

Songo'o clearly played like he had a fire lit under him and had his best game as a Timber. His service on set pieces led to a goal and nearly led to another (but for a goal-line save by Baca), and he put exactly the right ball in to Mwanga to earn the assist. We got to see a number of displays of his fancy footwork, too. On defense, he relentlessly chased after the ball and put the opposition under constant pressure, combining with Jack Jewsbury to frustrate the left side of San Jose's attack.

I'm hoping the injury he sustained isn't anything serious, because if he keeps playing like that, we Timbers fans may finally have a winger we can count on.

Check out the rest of our Man of the Match picks and vote on your own after the jump.

Will - Jack Jewsbury

Beyond scoring a goal, which is always nice, Jewsbury had a great showing on defense, clearing out innumerable headers and covering his fellow defender's occasional adventures going forward. Where he really showed his value though was in the constant interceptions that he found on the right wing. Jewsbury picked off the ball time and again, limiting the contributions of Rafael Baca and the service he could provide to the dangerous trio of Chris Wondolowski, Alan Gordan, and Stephen Lenhart.

Geoff - Franck Songo'o

It was a shame that he was forced to come out early again, although this time due to injury, but he really came out of the locker room with something to prove tonight and it showed. He tracked back for defense when needed, but also orchestrated the attack so well, along with getting the assist on the first goal. Also, his free kicks and corner kicks are among the best in the league, and easily the best in the Timbers squad.

This is the Franck Songo'o the Timbers signed... glad to finally meet him.

Ryan - Franck Songo'o

I really want to say someone other then Songo'o but I honestly can't.

Songo'o was everything Kalif Alhassan was in the Seattle Game. He was all over the pitch offensively and even showed a lot of hustle and heart defensively. His set-pieces were always dangerous and created multiple goal scoring chances. He could have played his first full 90 were it not for a little knock and it would have been a huge boost for him going into the second half of the season.

There are our picks for Man of the Match, but what are yours? Be sure to cast your vote and let us know why in the comments.