Portland Timbers Postscript: The Streak's End

By the Numbers

1

Number of shots on target taken by Portland Timbers players against the Columbus Crew

5

Timbers' average number of shots on target per match over the first 17 games

17

Goals allowed by the Portland Timbers in 18 matches

7

Goals allowed in "scrums" (defined as any set-piece, throw-in, or other play in which the opposing side crowds the penalty area)

4

Goals allowed directly from free kicks (including penalty kicks)

6

Goals allowed from the run of play (including 4 directly resulting from Timbers miscues)

Moment of the Match

Not a difficult call to make this time.

Pa Modou-Kah's first mistake was misreading the high deflection coming down into the box. He had a choice between corralling the ball with his chest away from Aaron Schoenfeld or popping the ball back into the air with his head. He chose the first option but failed to get control of the ball.

Kah's second mistake was failing to recognize that Schoenfeld probably didn't have much of a play on the ball after his first mistake. If he had continued jostling with Schoenfeld for position, he would probably have prevented anything more than a soft header towards goal, which Donovan Ricketts would almost certainly have dealt with.

But enough about Kah. He feels bad enough about this.

Injuries and Bookings

OK, we're not quite done talking about Kah. His ejection will leave him out of the Timbers' next matchup, this Saturday at home against the LA Galaxy, which is coming off a dominant performance against FC Dallas.

More bad news: four Timbers players also received yellow cards in the match, including Kah, who along with Ben Zemanski has now accumulated three on the season. Futty Danso received his second yellow card of the season for his attempt at a hand of god goal, and Ryan Johnson received his first yellow of the season for ... something.

There is good news, though: Diego Chara successfully went cardless over three games after earning his fourth against Dallas, which means he won't earn a suspension from his next yellow card.

Also, there are no new injuries to report from yesterday's match.

Around the League

LA Galaxy 2:0 FC Dallas

The Galaxy put 23 shots on the board to Dallas' six, even without the participation of Landon Donovan.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2:0 Seattle Sounders

Brad Knighton has to be the man of the match in this one, as Vancouver were out-shot, out-passed and out-possessed by Seattle but still managed to win by two. With the win Vancouver climbs to the top of the Cascadia Cup standings.

Montreal Impact 1:1 Chivas USA

Montreal drew Chivas? What? At home? What?!! Montreal retain their position in the Supporters Shield standings (by points per match), but this is one they'll want back.