Stumptown Footy - Coverage Hub: Portland Timbers vs Columbus CrewYou are my sunshine, my only sunshine.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31537/stumptown-fave.jpg2018-09-20T14:00:02-07:00http://www.stumptownfooty.com/rss/stream/176449552018-09-20T14:00:02-07:002018-09-20T14:00:02-07:00Six Degrees: Don’t Get Too Excited
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<img alt="MLS: Columbus Crew at Portland Timbers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pIltcr_kd5VS6u9t74-xwTRS5FY=/0x0:4047x2698/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61482337/usa_today_11283454.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland 3, Columbus 2</p> <p id="RnPl89">Not all wins are created equal. I’ll take this win and its three points, but I’m not going to get too excited about it, and neither should you.</p>
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<p id="6y5emA"><strong>1) </strong>I’ve got a friend named Adam who’s still pretty new to the Timbers. He’s fallen in love fast, though, and is gorging himself on articles and videos and statistics and rosters and all that sweet soccer heroin you and I have been addicted to for years. Before this game, he asked me “Who are Columbus’s important players? Who should I be watching for on Wednesday night?”</p>
<p id="QVlZsw">I don’t know the Crew perfectly, but I told him to look out for Gyasi Zardes, Federico Higuain, and Justin Meram. “That’s the heart of their attack,” I told him.</p>
<p id="3INYWZ">Funny story, none of those guys started Wednesday night. And none were subbed in. The Crew were starting a bunch of bench players and their starting XI had scored a grand total of seven goals on the season.</p>
<p id="spjFvj">And what did this collection of misfit toys do against us? They came out and spent 10-15 minutes looking like Barcelona. Seriously, it was total domination. It was one-way traffic.</p>
<p id="qIrVEc">Columbus scored a beautiful goal in the 7<sup>th</sup> minute mark and should’ve scored one or two more. They looked organized and energetic and like the far, <em>far </em>better team. </p>
<p id="08Mn4N">The Timbers, meanwhile, looked like a bunch of guys who might have played soccer before, but had certainly never played <em>together</em>. And were also a little hungover.</p>
<p id="vLigL7">At around the 15-20 minute mark, I’d abandoned all hope. Seriously. I was up in 103, my arms crossed, steam coming out of my ears, wondering why the fuck I’d picked the world’s worst team to support. I thought we were going to lose 4-0. I thought the season was over.</p>
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<p id="u5P89L"><strong>2) </strong>And then things started to improve. Not all at once, but slowly and steadily. Columbus stopped looking like Barcelona, we stopped looking like Chivas USA. Then in the 18<sup>th</sup> minute, <strong>Andy Polo </strong>and<strong> </strong><span><strong>David Guzman</strong></span> drew us even.</p>
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<p id="m2lzP9">One of my frustrations with the Timbers offense is that we rarely have multiple targets in the box. So many times we’ve got a guy on the ball, looking for targets, and only seeing one guy. A guy who’s blanketed by two center backs.</p>
<p id="8dIcbQ">Not on this play. On this play, Polo has not one, not two, not three, but <em>four</em> Timbers to choose from. And look how perfectly spaced they are. So many options! Why can’t we do this more often? Did something magical happen here that can’t be reproduced? I see other teams doing this regularly. Why can’t we?</p>
<p id="q8q3Py">But it sounds like I’m complaining, right? I can’t just be happy we scored?</p>
<p id="VlgzqR">Well, no, not really. I was <em>relieved</em> we’d scored, but up in 103, my celebration was rather tepid. I was still worried about how poorly we’d started the game. I needed to see more before I’d believe the Timbers were ready to play ball.</p>
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<p id="3u14KB"><strong>3) </strong>And over the next 20 minutes, the Timbers delivered. They weren’t amazing, but at least they looked like a real, professional soccer team. They were finally showing some energy, some urgency, some organization. Columbus still had a few chances, but the one-way traffic was over.</p>
<p id="AvPT4x">And then in the 37<sup>th</sup> minute Andy Polo opened his Timbers account in the coolest way possible.</p>
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<p id="sJspaQ">That’s amazing, isn’t it? There was much cheering and celebration in the North End, but since the goal happened way down at the other end of the field, we couldn’t tell exactly what happened, how the ball actually ended up in the net. When they showed the replay on the big screen and we saw that absurd Kung Fu golazo, we erupted anew. It was a pretty cool moment, actually. It was almost like we got to cheer <em>two</em> goals.</p>
<p id="5K9Z6x">But that freaky, weirdo, awesome finish, that was just the end product. The rest of the goal? That was impressive, too. Look at Polo. He gets the ball way down at the other end of the field, pins his ears back, and just <em>tears</em> down the field. He’s cooking along, picks his head up, and sees three options, <span><strong>Diego Valeri</strong></span>, <span><strong>Diego Chara</strong></span>, and<strong> </strong><span><strong>Sebastian Blanco</strong></span>. Was Blanco the best choice? I’m not sure. Was Polo’s pass the best quality? No, definitely not. Does Blanco make a great decision, one-timing it right back to Polo? Hell, yeah. And then Polo takes it from there, with his crazy kung fu magic.</p>
<p id="khchHG">Yes, the finish was amazing, but the build up? That’s the good shit. If the Timbers could bottle that shit, if they could have three or four of those every game? They’d be in the Supporter’s Shield race.</p>
<p id="w63Hyk">Congratulations on your first log slice, Andy Polo. Keep attacking like this and I think there will be many more slices to come.</p>
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<p id="bpjt3u"><strong>4) </strong>Our third goal started with a pretty good counter attack as well. It began with Sebastian Blanco forcing a turnover, then it was off to the races for Valeri, Chara, <strong>Samuel Armenteros</strong>, and, with a late run up the left side, <span><strong>Jorge Villafana</strong></span>.</p>
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<p id="RvfSKQ">Now, to be clear, the counter attack itself did not produce that goal. The counter only produced Chara’s somewhat middling shot. But at least it got us down the field in a hurry, got Columbus spread out, and their defenders on their heels. And maybe all of that is why there were no Crew defenders pouncing on that missed shot. Instead, it was Armenteros who grabbed it and took a shot.</p>
<p id="tgIgVg">But wait. <em>Was</em> it a shot? Or was it a cross? Or maybe it was a shross. (I hope I don’t owe Kalif Alhassan royalties for using that word. Does anyone know if he’s trademarked the word “shross?” He could, you know.)</p>
<p id="HkBJPl">Whatever it was, Lalas Abubakar and Lalas Abubakar’s amazing hair were kind enough to re-direct it into goal for us. Which we appreciate.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's a meaningless stat (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brand?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brand</a>)<br>The Portland Timbers have scored via own goal in each of their last 2 games. In their previous 133 MLS games, they scored by Own Goal once. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a></p>— Mike Donovan (@TheMikeDonovan) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMikeDonovan/status/1042628839149465600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2018</a>
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<p id="vgEpCX">Own goal or not, it felt like a just reward for all the good work we were doing. For much of the second half, we had Columbus on their heels. I’m surprised a fourth never came.</p>
<p id="L9hAau">But before we get too excited by all this great work from the boys in green, I feel obligated to remind you of what I wrote in my first degree: Columbus was not playing their A team. A lot of their “stars” were either watching this from the bench or from back home in Ohio. Yes, let’s enjoy the good soccer, and yes, let’s feel good about the three points, but let’s not get <em>too</em> excited, eh? Our A team was playing their B team. At home. We were supposed to win.</p>
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<p id="H6dSLS"><strong>5) </strong>Okay, time for me to complain about Gio Savarese’s substitutions. Has this become a weekly thing? Should I try to get sponsorship for this part of the column? <em>And now it’s time for everyone’s favorite segment, “What The Hell Is Gio Doing” brought to you by Mattress World’s Buy One Get One Free September Bonanza!</em></p>
<p id="ShuDBq">But seriously, folks, what the hell is Gio doing?</p>
<p id="JLRvhq">In the 62<sup>nd</sup> minute, the Timbers were leading 3-1 and Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter did the always-rare three-man substitution. He pulled three regular starters and replaced them with three rarely-used kids. Why? Because Berhalter’s got another game on Saturday and was already preparing for it. In addition to those stars I mentioned earlier, the ones who didn’t even play at all, Berhalter decided that, with this game essentially over, he might as well pull some important players, put 30 minutes less wear and tear on their bodies, and hopefully have them a bit fresher on Saturday.</p>
<p id="XYeCW7">Well, you know who else has a game on Saturday? The Portland Timbers. And you know who doesn’t give a fuck about fresh legs for that game? You know who has zero interest in giving his stars a little rest at the end of a 3-1 game against a bunch of substitutes? Giovanni Savarese, that’s who! Gio don’t give a fuck! The world may end tomorrow, people. Saturday may never come, so you might as well run your players into the ground, amiright?</p>
<p id="s6JNHl">What do you think about this? Was Gio right to leave our stars out there to the very end? Or should he have kept them at least a little fresher for Saturday’s game? Let’s hash it out in the comments.</p>
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<p id="wDYrGh"><strong>6) </strong>Only one degree left, but still plenty to say. You know what that means, right? <em>C.I.’s World-Famous Bulleted List, Brought To You By Bed, Bath, And Beyond, Free Shipping On Orders Over $39!</em></p>
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<li id="unqR9A">It was a bloodbath of a first half, wasn’t it? A ton of fouls, a ton of yellow cards, a ton of guys getting hit in the face or pretending to get hit in the face. Polo whacked a guy in what I think was retaliation for Guzman getting hit just before Columbus’s goal. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if the ref won’t protect players, they’ll protect themselves.</li>
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<strong>Steve Clark</strong> ended up with six saves, some of them very good. He also seems like a helluva guy. However, my position on the subject has not changed. <span><strong>Kendall McIntosh</strong></span> should be playing. If you’re not going to play your high-performing kids in situations like this, why even have a USL team? Why even have an academy? Why not just sign some random MLS journeyman every time there’s an injury? If I were McIntosh – hell, if I were anyone on T2 – I might ask for a trade. There doesn’t seem to be any real avenue to the first team here in Portland.</li>
<li id="d9w2K4">I love the capos. They’re utterly selfless leading us in song, their backs to the field, not seeing a second of the game. God bless them. But you know who I don’t love? Whoever’s over on the capo stand choosing which songs we’re gonna sing and when we’re gonna sing them. Whoever that person is, the goal we conceded in the 93<sup>rd</sup> minute is 100% their fault. DO. NOT. MAKE. US. TETRIS. BEFORE. THE. GAME. IS OVER. If the Timbers end up losing a seeding position or a home playoff game because of goal differential, I’m blaming whoever that person is on the capo stand. I could not be more serious about this.</li>
<li id="jgH4GW">And I’ll finish with some numbers that apparently are true but which seem a little hard to believe.</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After last night, here are only six teams in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLS</a> with a better PPG rate than <a href="https://twitter.com/TimbersFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TimbersFC</a>.<br><br>That feels ... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a></p>— Richard Farley (@richardfarley) <a href="https://twitter.com/richardfarley/status/1042809647759908864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2018</a>
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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/20/17883882/six-degrees-dont-get-too-excitedC.I. DeMann2018-09-19T21:46:32-07:002018-09-19T21:46:32-07:00Portland Timbers come from behind to beat Columbus Crew SC 3-2
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<figcaption>David Guzman scores the Portland Timbers’ first goal of the night with a header against Columbus Crew SC. 9/19/18 | Bennet Dewan</figcaption>
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<p id="1uqOxO">The <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> came from behind to win their final cross-conference match of the regular season in convincing fashion, taking down the Columbus Crew 3-2. The win pulls the Timbers even on points with third place Los Angeles FC. </p>
<p id="2hoCeK">The match started with both teams playing cautiously, probing for an opening and rarely venturing out of the middle third.</p>
<p id="H53A4k">Several minutes into the match, however, the Crew became adventurous and were soon rewarded with the first chance of the night. After sending <span>Pedro Santos</span> to the Timbers’ end line, the Crew winger clipped a cross into the box and into the path of Patrick Mullins. Mullins rose up and put a glancing header on the ball, but could not steer it toward goal, instead sending the chance skipping out over the end line for a goal kick.</p>
<p id="WO6K6u">Moments later, the Crew grabbed the opener when, in the 7th minute, the visitors won the ball in the Timbers end and streamed forward toward goal. The Crew found <span>Milton Valenzuela</span> wide on the Timbers’ right flank where the Crew man was able to play a low ball into the box for the run of Niko Hansen. With his first touch, Hansen put a boot to the ball, finishing past a scrambling Steve Clark to give the Crew a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p id="lZRXPO">The goal seemed to suck the life out of the Timbers for the remainder of the opening fifteen minutes, and in the 12th minute the Crew came close to extending their lead when Santos played Mullins in behind a staggered Timbers line. Racing toward goal, Mullins attempted to play a chipped shot around Clark, but the Timbers keeper was able to put a slight touch on the ball; just enough to send it spinning wide of goal.</p>
<p id="3PJ4yE">After the fifteen minute mark, however, the Timbers came to life.</p>
<p id="tqTbMa">In the 17th minute, the Timbers came inches from drawing even when <span>Diego Chara</span> won the ball deep in the Crew end and cut the ball back to Andy Polo at the top of the box. With defenders all around him, Polo got off a quick shot that skimmed just wide of the near post on its way out for a goal kick.</p>
<p id="sufZ2p">Then, in the 18th minute, the Timbers got the equalizer. A ball out wide from <span>Sebastian Blanco</span> found Polo in space and the Timbers midfielder took the measure of the ball before swinging a perfectly placed cross in to the back post to find <span>David Guzman</span> goal side of his marker. Guzman rose up and put a snap header on the ball, powering it past <span>Zack Steffen</span> to bring the scoreline to 1-1.</p>
<p id="L0f7E8">Now back on equal footing, the Crew found a pair of good chances from free kicks on the edge of the Timbers box. First, in the 22nd minute, Valenzuela hit a curling free kick that swerved around the wall and was headed on goal only for Clark to snag it comfortably out of the air. Then, in the 26th, Santos took a chance from the opposite side of the pitch and this time the free kick had enough zip on it to force Clark into a sprawling save that pushed the ball wide of goal.</p>
<p id="yynfg3">After the spat of chances, the match calmed down until the 36th minute, when the Crew carried the ball down the pitch and a scramble ensued at the edge of the Timbers box. Santos emerged with the ball and was able to find space to squeeze off a shot, but Clark was on the spot and able to turn the ball up and over the bar.</p>
<p id="mi6MOo">Just as it looked like the Crew might be reasserting themselves on the game, the Timbers struck. In the 37th minute, the Timbers went on a quick, flowing counterattack down the pitch through Polo wide on the right. The young Peruvian played a long pass into the path of Blanco who returned the ball to him on a run into the box. Polo headed the ball back across the face of goal, leaving Steffen stranded, but a Crew defender was the first to it. With the ball bouncing toward the end line, Polo was the quickest to react, launching himself into the air and connecting with the outside of his boot to flick the ball past the last defenders, and the post, into the back of the net.</p>
<p id="J9wIF5">Early in the second half, the Timbers extended their lead. In the 48th minute, the Timbers got forward on another counter attack with <span>Diego Valeri</span> carrying the ball down the center of the pitch. Driving the ball forward, Valeri played a through ball into the path of Diego Chara, overlapping on his left. Chara cut toward the center of the pitch and popped off a shot that was blocked away, sending the ball looping through the air and into the path of Samuel Armenteros on the far side of the pitch. Taking the ball down in the box, Armenteros got off a low-angle shot that skipped off the leg of center back <span>Lalas Abubakar</span> and around Steffen to give the Timbers a two goal lead.</p>
<p id="mkUyki">In the 56th minute, Valeri again found himself on the break, but this time the Maestro was in on goal and went for it himself. Taking a touch away from his defender, Valeri hit a hard shot from a tight angle, but Steffen was able to block the ball away and out for a corner kick. Off the corner, the ball was headed away from goal, but only got as far as Sebastian Blanco who hammered a volleyed shot back into the mixer where it deflected off Abubakar and away.</p>
<p id="roRtL0">The breaks continued to come for the Timbers and in the 68th minute, Polo had yet another chance as he was played into the Crew box by Blanco. With a man on his back, however, Polo was off balance and sent his shot up and into the stands.</p>
<p id="fgKgBm">In the 77th minute, the Crew had a chance of their own when Hansen got on the ball on the end line and was able to get off a quick shot. The attempt was not enough to trouble Clark, however, as the Timbers keeper got down quickly to make the grab.</p>
<p id="oF8rQ4">The visitors had a pair of final chances in stoppage time. The first came off another free kick on the edge of the Timbers box. This time, Mullins stepped up to the ball, firing a low shot that went under the jump of the Timbers wall and forced Clark to make a diving save to keep the scoreline at 3-1.</p>
<p id="O0eOOb">It would not last, however, as the Crew got forward for one final chance. The Crew found substitute <span>Connor Maloney</span> out wide on the Timbers’ left and the winger hit a curled in cross that found the head of Hansen in front of goal. Hansen made no mistake with his header, powering it into the back of the net to pull the Crew back within one. </p>
<p id="rTgCXW">There would be no more chances for the Crew as the final whistle blew just moments after play resumed.</p>
<p id="Q5SAqK">The Timbers are back on the road for their next match, heading east to take on <a href="https://www.epluribusloonum.com/">Minnesota United</a> this Saturday.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/19/17881356/portland-timbers-come-from-behind-to-beat-columbus-crew-sc-3-2William Conwell2018-09-19T17:11:03-07:002018-09-19T17:11:03-07:00Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew SC: How to watch, preview, match chat [7:30]
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<figcaption>Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="xkQ5wU">The <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> are just four days removed from their tough road loss over the weekend and memories of the team’s 4-1 loss to the lowly <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> are likely still fresh in their minds. However, now is the time for the Timbers to bounce back as they take on the visiting Columbus Crew in tonight’s mid-week match.</p>
<p id="NxFiml">The Crew come into today’s game as one of the most defensively sound sides in MLS, adapting to and frustrating just about everyone they match up against. The visitors have lost only once in their last seven matches, most recently drawing Western Conference powerhouse <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> in Frisco.</p>
<p id="6BHwg5">How the Timbers will rise to meet the Crew tonight will set the stage for the remainder of their run to the playoffs. A win against the Crew could catapult the Timbers back into contention in the West, while a draw or a loss would leave them stranded just above the red line and facing down sides in contention for a playoff spot — or even a bye — in four of their last five matches.</p>
<h4 id="H9Ajbk">Preview</h4>
<p id="VUrYnR"><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/18/17870170/storylines-portland-timbers-vs-columbus-crew-gregg-berhalter-gyasi-zardes-liam-ridgewell"><strong>Storylines</strong></a><strong>:</strong> “The Crew will come out in the 4-2-3-1 which is the only formation they’ve used all year. They’re a possession-based squad which exposes them to the counter-attack, which they’re not very good at defending. That’s partially because they rely on their fullbacks in their build-up play; they really get forward and provide crosses into the box for Gyasi Zardes.”</p>
<p id="QCLSzR"><em>Stop by the </em><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/19/17877524/prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-29-portland-timbers-vs-columbus-crew"><em>Rose City Forecast</em></a><em> to make your predictions about tonight’s match.</em></p>
<h4 id="gKDhf5">Match Information</h4>
<p id="xk3c9Q">Watch it on: FOX 12 Plus (KPDX)</p>
<p id="aUIrf9">Where: Providence Park in Portland, OR</p>
<p id="ptizPM">When: Wednesday, September 19th at 7:30 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="qDapWb">Portland Timbers: 12-8-8, 6th place in the Western Conference, lost 4-1 at Houston Dynamo</p>
<p id="bGqzBS">Columbus Crew: 12-8-8, 4th place in the Eastern Conference, drew 0-0 at FC Dallas</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/19/17880716/portland-timbers-vs-columbus-crew-sc-how-to-watch-preview-match-chat-7-30William Conwell2018-09-19T08:00:08-07:002018-09-19T08:00:08-07:00Rose City Forecast 29: Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew
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<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gc2CzMLTILv-nPT_oLUM7AuLk9k=/0x0:4042x2695/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61459095/usa_today_9971270.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="AuJ4tS">Welcome to the quick midweek prediction thread!</p>
<p id="OhqOOW">On Saturday, the Portland Timbers served the match on a platter to the Houston Dynamo, and the team in orange obliged, soundly beating the Timbers 4-1. However, the game didn’t start badly, as the Timbers got on the board first thanks to an Alvas Powell cross-turned-own-goal. But after 20-30 minutes, PTFC seemingly fell apart - the defense apparently remembered it can’t be organized when Liam Ridgewell isn’t playing - and they went into the half down 2-1. Nothing improved in the second half, and Houston put two more past Steve Clark for the final score. Ouch.</p>
<p id="UzUyl8">Since it’s a midweek thread, no standings update!</p>
<p id="EPb3iu">On Wednesday, the Timbers will look to rebound when they face the Columbus Crew in the friendly confines of Providence Park. Alas, they may have some tired legs, since both Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco went the full 90 minutes on Saturday. Assuming he’s not nursing an injury, Samuel Armenteros should be fresh and ready to go, at least. In the Columbus Crew, PTFC is against a team with an identical record: 12-8-8. But the Crew are on a better run of form, with only one loss in their last six, and over the weekend they did better than the Timbers in Texas, having played FC Dallas to a nil-nil draw. Working in the Timbers’ favor, hardly anyone besides Gyasi Zardes has found the net for Columbus. If Portland can shut down Zardes and Federico Higuain, they should have a good chance at keeping all three points in the Rose City.</p>
<p id="MIojsi"><strong>Total Cards O/U:</strong> 2.5</p>
<p id="CHLal8"><strong>The Scoring Format:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="0NrGoq">Correct score: 5 points</li>
<li id="2Q1WmB">Correct result (draw/win/loss): 3 points</li>
<li id="JggUF9">Each clean sheet: 2 points</li>
<li id="2NHVpf">Each goal-scorer: 1 point</li>
<li id="4wRTnr">Each FK/PK/assist/lack of assist: 1 point</li>
<li id="v5Q9rc">Goal/assist bonus: 1 point</li>
<li id="xz51E2">Player with the first yellow card of the match: 1 point</li>
<li id="m49TBn">Each player with a red card: 1 point (Can<strong>not</strong> earn points for predicting 0 red cards, but you may predict up to 3 players with a red.)</li>
<li id="AGYUNc">Over/under on total cards: 1 point</li>
<li id="DnaLTZ">Most outrageous(ly accurate) prediction: 2 points</li>
</ul>
<p id="fHfMEd"><strong>Some ground rules and explanations/clarifications (the fine print):</strong></p>
<p id="mA9ASM"><small>You may amend your prediction at any point up to kick off to account for game day 18 announcements. I recommend at least getting an initial prediction sooner, just in case you forget to come back in that hour or two before the game.</small></p>
<p id="JuiHQw"><small><em>Keep your scoreline predictions realistic.</em></small><small> Basically, if you’re predicting lots of goals all the time to just earn points on goals and assists and ignoring the score, I feel that goes against the spirit of this thread. This hasn’t been at all a problem in the last two years, so let’s keep it that way!</small></p>
<p id="Hgeopn"><small>The goal/assist bonus is an additional point if you correctly get the correct scorer and assistant on the same goal. (For example, if Nagbe scores, assisted by Valeri, and you predicted that exact combination, you get a total of three points: 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 bonus. However, if you predicted Nagbe scores, assisted by Adi, and Adi scores, assisted by Valeri, you would get two points from the Nagbe/Valeri prediction: 1 goal, 1 assist.)</small></p>
<p id="PKRZ71"><small>Please be clear whether you think a goal will be unassisted, assisted, or from a PK/FK: Unassisted = no assist, run of play; Assisted = player who got the assist; PK/FK = directly from a free kick. For the purposes of this thread, a PK counts as an FK, and an FK as a PK. If you just leave the assist section blank, I will assume you’re declining to make an assist prediction.</small></p>
<p id="nv6l3o"><small>Even though a player can be awarded a secondary assist by OPTA, I will award a maximum of one assist point per goal. But that point can come from either the primary or secondary assist in the box score. However, please keep your predictions to one assist per goal.</small></p>
<p id="2MvDEH"><small>For the over/under on cards, a second yellow leading to a red counts as two cards, not three.</small></p>
<p id="5ZHl6l"><small>You may predict more than one red card if you’re expecting a chippy match, but only up to three total.</small></p>
<p id="9hxrwv"><small>For the most outrageous(ly accurate) prediction, I will be trying to toe a line between completely absurd and mundane in my choices. As I see it, the goal here is to add even more fun without going too over-the-top ridiculous. So, in my mind, the best predictions will be something that could conceivably happen, but don’t happen often, like amusing coaching spats or goals that bounce off the crossbar, then off the keeper’s back, and then in. Things like that.</small></p>
<p id="VfLDUG"><small>If you’re looking for where I set the over/under on total cards, check the end of the preview paragraph after the standings.</small></p>
<p id="ojZx8f"><small><strong>Format:</strong></small></p>
<p id="osEYgb"><small>In the comment title, post your predicted score with the winners; for example, 4-2 Timbers</small></p>
<p id="MDqtMe"><small>In the body of your comment, start with the goals and assists, like so:</small></p>
<p id="uMIHCL"><small>Nagbe (Valeri)</small></p>
<p id="VmlDiF"><small>Valeri (Free kick)</small></p>
<p id="MnWKja"><small>Adi (PK)</small></p>
<p id="ycmK1t"><small>Blanco (Unassisted)</small></p>
<p id="ucjHJ3"><small>Beckham (Free kick)</small></p>
<p id="Pvq8aR"><small>Donovan (Beckham)</small></p>
<p id="O0A6mG"><small>Next, choose your first yellow card, and that means picking only one person:</small></p>
<p id="7uccbX"><small>First yellow to </small><span><small><strong>Nigel De Jong</strong></small></span></p>
<p id="O18L0j"><small>Then reds, if any. (NOTE: No points awarded for correctly calling a red-card-free match, so take a guess.):</small></p>
<p id="ONlSak"><small>Nigel De Jong gets a red card for stomping Blanco.</small></p>
<p id="3IfGg1"><small>Clearly note whether you’re predicting over or under on total cards. Don’t leave me to try and figure it out!</small></p>
<p id="GsRF8c"><small>And lastly, make your fun prediction:</small></p>
<p id="aYSC21"><small>Nigel de Jong tries to stomp Nagbe’s ankle again, but this time, Nagbe avoids the tackle. Being angry, Nagbe, for the first time in three years, kicks the ball straight into NDJ’s groin. Camera pans to a trademark Chara smile.</small></p>
<p id="3vrHw6"></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/19/17877524/prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-29-portland-timbers-vs-columbus-crewCR McNeil2018-09-18T11:11:40-07:002018-09-18T11:11:40-07:00Storylines: Portland Timbers vs Columbus Crew
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Columbus Crew SC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y_QNlpsQNI6MX83zlVlVoVgLdL4=/67x0:4903x3224/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61450119/usa_today_10007264.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Timbers look to turn things around against the Crew</p> <h3 id="kwWBZB">The Story So Far</h3>
<p id="WR6iZI">I don’t know about you, but I’m really starting to heartily dislike Texas.</p>
<div class="c-float-left"><aside id="Uxs173"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Houston Dynamo score 5; defeat Portland 4-1","url":"https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/15/17865120/houston-dynamo-score-5-defeat-portland-timbers-4-1-recap"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="ebkKxZ">The Timbers return home after what we’ll call a setback in Houston. All in all it was a very poor showing by the boys in green and gold: a 4-1 loss, where the only Timbers goal happened to be a Houston own goal scored just nine minutes in. The Timbers looked to score a second goal only for it be called back thanks to VAR, after which the Dynamo took control of the match and put their foot on the gas.</p>
<p id="lR91JU">The Crew is coming off a nil-nil draw against <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>, in Dallas. It was a defensive battle all game as neither side could find the back of the net. The Crew are currently fourth in the East and are looking like a playoff-bound club. They’ll come into Providence Park looking for three points and try to march up the Eastern Conference ladder.</p>
<p id="kKblJT">So can the Timbers get back in the win column and improve their home record, or will the crafty Columbus Crew ruin the Timbers’ evening?</p>
<p id="2ZWXUu"></p>
<h3 id="z6vYzK">The Arch City</h3>
<p id="m7pIna"><span>Gregg Berhalter</span> and the Columbus Crew currently sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and should have no problem reaching the postseason. Of course, we know of the off the field stuff that the Crew and their supporters are going through. It was pretty bold of PSV and the front office to begin selling 2019 season ticket packages without knowing whether or not the Crew will remain in Columbus next season.</p>
<p id="OmEVhl">While all that’s going on off the field, on the field Columbus has done pretty well for itself. It’s been speculated that Berhalter could be up for the vacant U.S. Men’s National team coaching spot. Whether there is any truth to those rumors, we’ll are going to wait till the end of the year to find out. </p>
<p id="INANEx"></p>
<h3 id="kKJCKY">Chalkboard</h3>
<h4 id="zFj0sO">Columbus Crew (12-8-8, 44 pts)</h4>
<p id="VUrYnR">The Crew will come out in the 4-2-3-1 which is the only formation they’ve used all year. They’re a possession-based squad which exposes them to the counter-attack, which they’re not very good at defending. That’s partially because they rely on their fullbacks in their build-up play; they really get forward and provide crosses into the box for Gyasi Zardes.</p>
<p id="u1aGQF">After struggling with the <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> to the point that they moved him to right-back, Zardes is seeing a resurgence in Columbus. While his first touch still isn’t the thing of legends, he’s been putting the ball into the back of the net on a regular basis. In 28 appearances, he’s scored 15 goals, which is pretty much the extent of their offense; the closest player to him is Federico Higuaín who has a grand total of four goals.</p>
<p id="SR7p9e">The three in the 4-2-3-1 are Federico Higuaín, <span>Justin Meram,</span> and <span>Pedro Santos</span> who are all tough customers. Then there’s Artur and Will Trapp acting as the double pivot, but look for Trapp to play a bit deeper at times dropping in between the center backs. </p>
<p id="V9ta5B">Though with them also playing at the weekend, I’d suspect some rotation out of the Crew. In the FCD post-match, Berhalter kept his cards close to his vest on just how much he is going to rotate. They arrived in town on Monday to spend two and a half days in Portland getting ready for the Timbers.</p>
<p id="CndhG3"></p>
<h4 id="e3O91G">
<a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> (12-8-8, 44 pts)</h4>
<p id="4foxVx">Including this match, the Timbers have just six more matches in the season and are currently in sixth place on goal differential. If the Timbers plan to compete and keep their playoff spot, they need to keep from dropping too many points this late in the season. Like most MLS clubs, (outside of ATLUD and RBNY) the Crew have a pretty crappy road record, which at least on paper looks like the Timbers can pick up three points. </p>
<p id="hFbYar">With Gio’s baffling substitutions in Houston, I’m afraid to see what he’s going to come out with against the Crew. I would think he’d stay with the 4-3-2-1, it works better than the three-man back line that he’s rolled out in a few matches this season.</p>
<p id="ZTaudO">With Jeremy Ebobisse starting in Houston, I would be pretty sure that Armenteros will get the nod at striker. I wouldn’t mind <span>Lucas Melano</span> to get back out on the pitch whether he’s starting or getting a half hour run out. I’d suspect with Villafana playing just over a half hour in Houston, he may get the start over Valentin.</p>
<p id="yIMFk1">Whatever the case, the defense needs to man up and not put in a shoddy performance like they did Saturday. It goes without saying that <span>Larrys Mabiala</span> and Julio Cascante were just terrible in Houston and I would bet that <span>Liam Ridgewell</span> will get the start in place of Cascante. I think that Ridgewell is better at organizing the defense and brings a sense of calm. I’ve had my words about Ridgewell in the past, but I cannot deny the effect he has on the club when he’s on the pitch.</p>
<p id="MhQjrg">Alvas Powell and <span>Jeff Attinella</span> are listed as questionable for the match. I highly doubt we see Attinella suit up at all and Powell could make the 18, Valentin then gets the start at right-back while Villafana starts at left-back. </p>
<p id="RhC10g"></p>
<h3 id="wdvkPB">Log Slices</h3>
<p id="wJprFu">Checking in on our pals over at <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predictions/mls/">FiveThirtyEight</a>, the Timbers sitting at 87% of making the playoffs, with only a 6% chance of getting that coveted first-round bye. They’re also listed at just a 3% chance of winning MLS Cup. Ain’t that peachy.</p>
<p id="H9KeoF">Keep in mind there are only six matches left in the season; that’s 18 possible points between now and then. The Timbers just need to keep pace and drop as few points as possible and hopefully climb the table a bit. </p>
<p id="yVLLNf">Besides Columbus, here’s how the final matches of the season pan out.</p>
<ul>
<li id="DKud9Q">At <a href="https://www.epluribusloonum.com/">Minnesota United</a> 9/22</li>
<li id="7m9Ir4">FC Dallas 9/29</li>
<li id="QX9g29">At <a href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> 10/6</li>
<li id="FBbAi5">Real Salt Lake 10/21</li>
<li id="tG5Qp7">At Vancouver 10/28</li>
</ul>
<p id="9R1n9q">None of these matches are a gimme, though that Minnesota United fixture does look mighty tasty. The Timbers need to be on their toes and not slip on a banana peel in these last six fixtures. I would love to see the Timbers run the table on the rest of the season, but the odds on that are kinda slim.</p>
<p id="7SSnpr">From here on out, it’s about dropping as few points as possible. And looking at the schedule, the Timbers only have two remaining home matches, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell, make a big push to the postseason.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/18/17870170/storylines-portland-timbers-vs-columbus-crew-gregg-berhalter-gyasi-zardes-liam-ridgewellTimm Higgins