Cascadia Cup: Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Match Thread [7:30 pm]

…have been stifled by the way he’s been slotted into the lineup. He’s more center of the park player – that’s what he was at Akron – and we’ve haven’t really been using him that way since he got here. I hate to think the coaching has set back his development but seeing that he’s finally trying to attack more I have to wonder how Spencer was instructing him.

So we need 3 tonite!

And good that Nagbe has attacked again

…we are still too static. I would prefer if the guys made more runs and put themselves into position to receive the ball.

The player everyone raved about a few years ago – that’s the one we drafted!

…too often what Timbers played under him, with the exception of the set pieces, it looked less like soccer and more like We know what coach wants us to do is silly but we’re going to do it anyway. Forcing the ball wide no matter what, weak crosses, no sequencing to passes, etc.

It was decent defense, but quite vulnerable to meltdowns as we saw too many times.

This? This might not yet be winning soccer, and the meltdowns are maybe even worse especially with Horst in there as we just saw at the end of the half, and say what you want about Gavin.

But at least this is soccer the team is playing!

..look at SJ. I know neutrals take potshots at JDW but I’m not convinced that’s the main reason for our woes. It does contribute but SJ does have a nice attack even with defenses collapsing on Wondolowski. Think we need to get the midfield fixed one and for all for next season and work on the defense. Boyd, Mwanga, etc. they need service. And that can be done on a narrow field.

THAT IS THE SONGO WE KNOW FROM PRESEASON

Congrats. I wanted to be hopeful but this team’s inconsistencies always lead to doubts

for everyone saying how fast he is, I keep seeing every single Timber who marks him keep up with him.

Can we stop giving him hate now?

I wonder how much effect that mask is having on him. Can he even see the ball?

This is why we have multiple quality CB’s

You better not screw this up!

Who’s MotM for you so far?

We need to look at dumping Horst and replacing him. So two new CBs for next season.

We’ve looked pretty decent without Boyd tonite. Don’t know the full implications yet but you have to wonder if Boyd belongs in the side or if he’s just too expensive for us.

Steven Smith, or Rickets brilliant double save? they both better be on SotW on mlssoccer.com….