FanPost

Timber's deserved a win against Vancouver

Soccer is a game of inches. Sometimes resulting in jubilation and sometimes resulting in agony.

After four games, the Portland Timbers have had their share of agony as a result of mere inches.

Last night in Vancouver was another cruel game for the men in green.

There is no way Vancouver deserved to win, or even tie, this game. They were outplayed from beginning to end. At the end of the second half, they were chasing shadows and could scarcely touch the ball.

Their only bright spot in the first half was a brilliantly taken free kick that resulted in a goal.

Portland could have easily scored three or even four goals. Asprilla hit the cross bar on an open header. Chara freed Nagbe on a brilliant run that was inches from his cleat.

Adi, in the closing moments in the 89th minute, had a shot snuffed by David Ousted. It was an outstanding save as the ball was perfectly placed to roll into the corner.

Alas, it was a miscommunication in the waning moments on a through ball that both Liam Ridgewell and Nat Borchers watched go between them, both thinking that Robert Earnshaw was offside, only to be kept on by Alvas Powell. Earnshaw slotted home the winner.

Heartbreak.

This is the second time in four games the Timbers have given up a goal in injury time. It's becoming, unfortunately, a common theme. Play well for 90+ minutes and then lose composure for one second.

If the Timbers managed injury time, they could easily have another four points.

It's hard to fault the team, or the coach, when they are playing so well. With all of their injury problems, they've looked very competitive in all their games thus far this season.

I would say, at this point, to be patient and I think this team will figure it out. If anything, they need to get a little pissed off. Maybe this game will be a wake-up call of sorts. For all the naysayers out there, the Timbers are only two points out of a playoff spot with thirty games to play. So, don't push the panic button.

Adi is turning into a beast up front with all of the Timbers goals this year. I've been pushing to start Urruti alongside him, and this is the first game I got my wish. There were a few nice combination plays, but for the most part, they didn't play off one another as well as I'd hoped. However, given time, I like the idea of a 4-4-2 and I love Urruti. Tough to throw a player into a game and expect instant results. He's a hard worker and clinical finisher, so I hope he continues to get his chances.

George Fochive, who started in mid-field alongside Chara, looked dangerous and confidant for much of the game. It was his silly foul that allowed Vancouver their free kick when they scored the goal. Hard to fault the lad as Chara had committed an equally as silly a foul just moments earlier that could have resulted in a goal.

This FanPost was written by a Stumptown Footy community member and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the site or its staff.

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