Portland Timbers Postscript: A Tough Draw

By the Numbers

50.7

The Portland Timbers' percent of possession on Sunday, their lowest of the year

4

Number of Timbers starters who had fewer successful passes than San Jose Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch

32.1

Percent of Portland's corner-kicks-conceded total for 2013 that were conceded Sunday

+11

The Timbers' shots/fouls-committed differential heading into Sunday's match

-2

Portland's shots/fouls-committed differential on Sunday

5,954

Amount by which Portland Thorns vs Seattle Reign attendance exceeded that of San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers

Moment of the Match

In the 76th minute, Diego Valeri was subbed off in favor of Kalif Alhassan. No offense to the man who replaced him, but the 76th minute was the moment San Jose decided to stop playing defense and put every available player in the attacking half. Losing the Timbers' most effective playmaker in the late stages of the game robbed them of the ability to keep possession away from their own goal.

From that point on, the Timbers only had occasional sorties into the other half of the field and conceded possession almost entirely to the Quakes. Aside from the occasional gaffe, the defense actually played as admirably as could be expected. In the end, it took San Jose four lucky bounces to get the ball to Adam Jahn's feet. But given how many times they were able to practice it, it was bound to happen eventually.

As user ledjom might put it, the Quakes' goal was not what one would normally call "repeatable." Sadly for fans of attractive soccer, the Quakes do it all the time.

Injuries and Bookings

Thankfully, in spite of all the chippiness and flopping about, the Timbers didn't lose anyone to injury on Sunday.

Futty Danso did receive the third booking of his career, when, in spite of getting the ball while challenging Steven Lenhart, the referee gave him a yellow for scissoring him to the ground.

In addition, Mikael Silvestre did something off the ball that I didn't see, and I can't seem to find a replay of it. Apparently it was worthy of a card. That's his second of the season.

Around the League

Colorado Rapids 0:1 Seattle Sounders

The Sounders finally got their first digit in the win column, but -- and I believe Seattle fans would agree -- the win should not put concerns about the Sounders to rest. Colorado lost this game far more than Seattle won it. The Rapids dominated possession and created more chances but were unable to convert any of them.

Real Salt Lake 1:0 Chivas USA

Well, that didn't take long. Once near the top of the conference, Chivas USA has now lost two straight, and thanks to letting their frustration get the better of them at Rio Tinto, Chivas will see two of their players suspended next week against San Jose. It's a good bet they'll earn a few more bookings against the Quakes.

FC Dallas 2:0 Vancouver Whitecaps

I don't even know what to say about Dallas. It doesn't seem possible, but they are pulling away from the pack early, having dropped just four points in eight matches.