Stumptown Footy - Coverage Hub: Portland Timbers at Toronto FCYou are my sunshine, my only sunshine.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31537/stumptown-fave.jpg2019-05-01T11:00:00-07:00http://www.stumptownfooty.com/rss/stream/182841292019-05-01T11:00:00-07:002019-05-01T11:00:00-07:00Six Degrees: Figuring Things Out
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<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Toronto FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hNKZTMMyGbVdCGLJgckQG84u0v8=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63716705/usa_today_12599712.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland 2, Toronto 1</p> <p id="kQzaMS">Break up the Timbers! They’re running rampant over MLS! They’re an unstoppable force! They’ll never lose again!</p>
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<p id="jZgGrO"><strong>1) </strong>Imma break down this past weekend’s game in a little bit, but let’s start by zooming out and having some big picture thoughts.</p>
<p id="1A96LA">It can’t be overstated how important and meaningful these two straight wins have been. It has instantly turned a disastrous season-opening road trip into something that’s verging on “good.” We went from one point in six games, and a completely unacceptable 0.17 PPG, to seven points in eight games, and a perfectly reasonable 0.88 PPG.</p>
<p id="0buzHP">When I first looked at the schedule for this 12-game season-opening road trip, I saw three games I thought we <em>should</em> win, two games I thought <em>might</em> win, and seven games I didn’t think we had much chance to win. Welp, we took 0.33 PPG in those three “should win” games, we’ve taken 1.2 PPG in the five “not much chance” games we’ve played so far, and now we’re getting ready to play our two “might win” games, against RSL and Vancouver. With our improved form, a win and a draw now seem possible, at which point the team would have 11 points in 10 games. Even if we lose the final two roadies, we’d be at 11 points in 12 games, for a PPG of 0.92, which is pretty much league-average for road PPG.</p>
<p id="jWZegs">If you remember, DC United finished last year’s long season-opening road stretch with 0.79 PPG. We’ll probably exceed that, but even if we don’t, these two straight wins have already made our opening road trip acceptable, if not an utter success.</p>
<p id="EvdKFG">But these two straight wins haven’t just given us six points, they’ve also given us a formation that works and a lineup that seems pretty much set. More importantly, they’ve given us belief. Three weeks ago, I thought we were the worst team in the league. Hell, we <em>were</em> the worst team. But a 2-1 loss to Dallas that should have been a draw, and now two straight wins against two good teams? Now I believe. Now I think we’re going to be fine. Now I’ve got hope for the rest of this year. </p>
<p id="V24DPY">As the season continues, remember these last two weeks. This is when everything changed. This is when we figured it out.</p>
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<p id="spViKm"><strong>2) </strong>Okay, let’s zoom in on Saturday’s 2-1 win at Toronto.</p>
<p id="T7cSQK">I’m having a hard time getting angry about the goal we gave up. I’m not sure our defense broke down, exactly. It felt more like a freak goal where a bunch of odd things happened all at once. Here’s the video. See if you disagree.</p>
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<div id="3MhQaI"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/adventurousgifteddwarfrabbit" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="9QF9Ti">What do you think? Shambolic defending or a series of bad bounces?</p>
<p id="uwnja0">I think the only person who deserves clear and obvious blame is <span><strong>Bill Tuiloma</strong></span>, who got beat for the original header. Bill definitely should have done better.</p>
<p id="R8G4ry">But after that? <span><strong>Zarek Valentin</strong></span>’s bodied up tight with Michael Bradley, and isn’t able to give the loose ball a full-powered kick. He manages to get a foot on the ball, but without enough force to clear the area. <strong>Andres Flores</strong> is bodied up tight with Jonathan Osorio and, while he sees the ball, he’s in such a weird, twisted-up position, he can’t do much about it. And <strong>Steve Clark</strong>, within about two or three seconds, he reacts to the initial header and then the ball Zarek kicked, but the final ball is just too much.</p>
<p id="ob9xDj">Am I wrong? Am I going easy on the guys? Tell me who I should be angry with here. Tell me if you think this is bad defending or if it’s one of those weird clusterfuck goals that happens now and then.</p>
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<p id="rzYHlt"><strong>3) </strong>Obviously, going down 1-0 gave me some concern. It got me wondering if last week’s victory over Columbus was a fluke. If maybe the team <em>wasn’t </em>fixed. If maybe we were going to fall apart the way we have so many times on this road trip. If we were destined to lose 4-0. </p>
<p id="2tTMz7">All these thought were running through my head... for about two minutes. Because that’s how long it took for Portland to draw even.</p>
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<div id="GmNZU6"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/forsakenshinyamericanshorthair" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="mku8lV">Holy hell, that’s a beautiful goal. That’s a goal any striker would be proud to put in their highlight reel, only it didn’t come from a striker, it came from a center back. </p>
<p id="3MhaTz">That’s the second straight week a Portland center back’s found the back of the net, and I gotta say, I’m feeling good about the <span><strong>Larrys Mabiala</strong></span>/Bill Tuiloma partnership. They seem to work well together on defense, and both are goal-dangerous on set pieces. </p>
<p id="FMkTYJ"><strong>Julio Cascante</strong> and <span><strong>Claude Dielna</strong></span> had their chances to win a starting job, and neither rose to the occasion. I think it’s probably Mabiala and Tuiloma from here on, and I’m totally okay with that.</p>
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<p id="CIYbT8"><strong>4) </strong>The first half ended 1-1 and things stayed that way for a good while. I was at my local bar, of course, and as we approached the 70<sup>th</sup> minute, a few of us started saying things like “You know, I’d be happy with a draw,” and “No shame in a road point against a good team.”</p>
<p id="5yAQDx">But <strong>Jeremy Ebobisse</strong> didn’t want no stinkin’ draw. He wanted the full three points.</p>
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<div id="4x2eMJ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/concernedconcretedevilfish" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="UxYUCk">Beautiful cross from <span><strong>Sebastian Blanco</strong></span><strong> </strong>there. As for Jebo, let me just say this: I’m not sure if diving headers are objectively <em>better</em> than normal headers, but they’re definitely <em>cooler</em>. I mean, the dive probably puts a little extra power on the shot, and probably makes it a harder save for the keeper, but who cares about all that soccer stuff? Just look at Jebo! He’s friggin’ superman! The world needs more of this. Gimme all the diving headers you got.</p>
<p id="iOFM82">My second favorite part of this gif? <strong>Jorge Moreira</strong>’s happy little jump for joy afterwards. Just adorable.</p>
<p id="chN21k">This makes it four goals on the year for young Jebo, including two game-winners in two weeks. He’s on pace for 17 goals this year.</p>
<p id="tCeZ6u">Also adding to his stat line was <span><strong>Diego Valeri</strong></span>, who got the assist on Tuiloma’s goal and the hockey assist on Jebo’s. El Maestro is currently leading the league with six assists and is on pace for 25.5 assists, which is just absurd, considering we’re all in agreement that he’s looking a little slow these days. But fine, whatever, if Diego makes up for his slow legs by crushing teams on the set pieces, I will very happily take that. Set piece assists count the same as open-play assists. </p>
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<p id="K8Efii"><strong>5) </strong>Up 2-1, it will surprise none of you to learn that I was an emotional wreck for the remainder of the game. Yes, a few minutes earlier I’d decided that leaving with a draw would be okay, but that was when the game was 1-1. As soon as we went up 2-1, a draw suddenly became the worst result ever.</p>
<p id="VLxku9">But we hung tough, never bunkered, continued our good play on both offense and defense, and in the 90<sup>th</sup> minute, <span><strong>Diego Chara</strong></span> had a chance to put the game to bed.</p>
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<div id="N968aX"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/hugeunpleasantduckbillcat" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="fejyPM">As Ralphie said in <em>A Christmas Story</em>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KUZro9rwVg">fffffffffffuddddddgggggge</a>! </p>
<p id="jPSRM1">It was a tragic miss, but shouldn’t take away from Chara’s otherwise excellent game. I was a little worried about my favorite Timber earlier this year, but it seems like his play’s improved of late. Is this entirely due to <strong>Cristhian Paredes</strong> replacing <span><strong>David Guzman</strong></span>? Is Paredes that much of an upgrade? Or is it more complicated? Are there multiple factors?</p>
<p id="M0oDgf">Whatever the answer, I like the two of them pairing up in the middle of the pitch.</p>
<p id="oBmeOb">There are actually a lot of pairings I’m happy with these days. This 4-4-2 is working great, partly because the pairings all make a lot of sense. As I said before, Mabiala and Tuilioma seem like a good CB pairing. Chara and Paredes as DMs make sense, too.</p>
<p id="76meRX">Up top, I like Jebo as a target forward and Valeri as a withdrawn striker, occasionally drifting back into the number 10 role. Valentin and Blanco seem like a good left side, while Moreira and Flores seem like a good right side.</p>
<p id="wadgin">Flores’s spot is the only one that seems somewhat in doubt right now. I really like the way he’s been working with Moreira – check out Richard Farley’s <a href="https://www.timbers.com/post/2019/04/23/inside-ptfc-changes-portland-has-made-let-jorge-moreira-loose">excellent piece</a> on the subject – but maybe Gio likes <strong>Andy Polo</strong> more. He’s back at full health, you know. And even though I won’t count my Brian Fernandez eggs until they hatch, all signs indicate that he’s coming, and that he’d be a perfect right winger in our 4-4-2.</p>
<p id="V0GgNA">There’s a touch of intrigue at the goalkeeper position, though only a touch. Steve Clark started Saturday instead of <span><strong>Jeff Attinella</strong></span>, but I’m not convinced it means anything. Jamie Goldberg tweeted this, and she’s usually right when it comes to personnel issues.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">According to the club, it was a predetermined decision to have both Attinella and Clark start one game during this extended road trip between Columbus and Toronto. Attinella is not injured <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TORvPOR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TORvPOR</a> <a href="https://t.co/UFHXn7K5P8">https://t.co/UFHXn7K5P8</a></p>— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jamiebgoldberg/status/1122199761983905793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a>
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<p id="a80hfa">If I was a betting man, I’d put money on Jeff Jeff Jeff starting this weekend at RSL.</p>
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<p id="Pv9yBD"><strong>6) </strong>Let’s bang out some random thoughts.</p>
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<li id="6gMOSI">You may have heard that potential signing Brian Fernandez spit at a fan after getting red carded in his last Liga MX game. Let’s start by acknowledging that the red card was absurd and involved the head ref and the fourth official <a href="https://twitter.com/ramosrizo/status/1122517410815401984">fucking up a substitution</a>. As far as the spitting goes, in these situations, I’m almost always going to side with the player. Fans think they have the right to be complete assholes. They say and do things that would get them punched in the face out in the real world. But at sporting events, they do these awful things and say these awful things and, 99% of the time, the player just takes it. But 1% of the time, a player gets caught at the wrong moment and snaps. Ron Artest going into the stands after getting hit with a cup of beer? That was over the line. But Russell Westbrook yelling at that asshole fan a few weeks back? I’m with Russ on that one. And Brian Fernandez spitting at someone who’s yelling shit about his mom? I can forgive this. I’m sure Fernandez has had a whole lot of abuse hurled at him over his career. 99% of the time, he’s taken it. Would your record be so good? I’m not sure mine would. I’m willing to give Fernandez a pass on this. Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone.</li>
<li id="ndKINx">San Jose is 2-1-2 in their last five. That’s a PPG of 1.6, which is better than the 1.59 that got us into the playoffs last year. I’m starting to wonder if our horrifying 3-0 loss to them wasn’t quite as horrifying as I’d originally thought. Maybe we were just unlucky to play them right as they were figuring things out. Sort of like Columbus and Toronto were unlucky to play <em>us</em> right as we were figuring things out.</li>
<li id="eoZPDy">Counterargument to the above: we really did look like shit that day. Especially on defense.</li>
<li id="8nWQnB">Blanco and Moreira both took some knocks on Saturday. They okay?</li>
<li id="yxPOYK">Speaking of Moreira, it took awhile, but I’m all in on him now. Dude’s got a motor. </li>
<li id="yC0oXk">Speaking of Blanco, he’s got four assists, which puts him on pace for 17. I don’t actually think he and Valeri can keep up this ridiculous pace, but it’s fun to imagine.</li>
<li id="k3zdIU">Actually, how’s this for a fun prediction? Both of them get goals this weekend, and both also get assists. Valeri assists Blanco’s goal, Blanco assists Valeri’s goal, and we end with a 2-2 draw. Take it to the bank.</li>
<li id="8NoScp">And finally, this tweet. It’s happening, folks. It’s happening.</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/CIDeMann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CIDeMann</a> FYI, "hey ho Jbo" is totally a thing @ our bar.</p>— Greg Donnelly (@irishandornery) <a href="https://twitter.com/irishandornery/status/1122893597966077954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2019</a>
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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/1/18525521/six-degrees-figuring-things-outC.I. DeMann2019-04-29T17:22:54-07:002019-04-29T17:22:54-07:00Are the Timbers good again?
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<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Toronto FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WJ0Ekf9gVtPQd8oA8dQUYpTlQ0o=/0x0:4645x3097/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63695388/usa_today_12599887.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="KoCCqS">If March was about struggle for the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a>, April was about recovery. Like all recoveries, it started with hitting rock bottom in the Bay Area — losing 3-0 and decisively taking the title of Worst Team in the League. From there, however, the Timbers began an upward trend. In Dallas the next week, the team showed a much stronger performance, despite failing to take a point. Then, in Columbus, Gio Savarese once again brought in a new formation, and the team responded with their first win. They repeated the performance on Saturday, bringing home another three points from Toronto.</p>
<p id="d2AGt8">Now, after two road wins against strong Eastern Conference teams, it’s inarguable that the Timbers are, at least for the moment, playing good soccer. What’s more, the team is now averaging .875 points per game, nearing the 1PPG mark agreed upon as a road-trip-target by fans and media alike. With things thoroughly looking up, questions from those who follow the team can turn from “Why are they so bad?” to “What changed?” and “Why did it take so long?”.</p>
<p id="g8m7Sl">As to what’s changed, there are some obvious answers. For one, the players who were performing the worst during the losing streak haven’t seen the field since San Jose, and those that have been playing in their stead have looked crisper and more determined. Cristhian Paredes has been excellent, Andres Flores is a workhorse, and <span>Bill Tuiloma</span> and <span>Zarek Valentin</span> have seemingly solved the left-side defensive issues that plagued the Timbers previously this year. Furthermore, <span>Diego Valeri</span> is looking more like his usual self, and his combination play with <span>Sebastian Blanco</span> and <span>Jeremy Ebobisse</span> has been key in creating chances for the Timbers in their last couple of games. </p>
<p id="2xxlsK">Gio Savarese’s latest formation shift has helped too. The flat 4-4-2 he’s run out in both of the team’s victories has allowed for plenty of build-up play through the middle, while also providing multiple targets in the penalty area for the dual crossing threats of Blanco and Jorge Moreira.</p>
<p id="JS3hYo">What might be less obvious is that there seems to have been a positive shift in the mentality of the team. While the performances on the field were bad over first several weeks of the season, there were no outward signs of internal turmoil — besides perhaps <span>Lucas Melano</span>’s now-infamous popcorn pic, which at the time seemed to be an isolated incident.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Melano wasn’t injured, wasn’t in the 18 and posted a pic of popcorn right after the match. Please advise if this is shade! <a href="https://twitter.com/TA_Threat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TA_Threat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/rUwCHdDrw0">pic.twitter.com/rUwCHdDrw0</a></p>— Corgmom with the heat (@LindsayAdaire) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindsayAdaire/status/1114726579823714304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2019</a>
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<p id="SSqFHn">However, we got another hint about the past mental state of the team from Ebobisse’s post-game presser in Toronto. While talking about the Timbers’ response to going down early, he said, “We could have put our heads down, maybe at the beginning of the year we might have started a little infighting, but you know, I think with last week and this week we’ve seen a little more tenacity and togetherness within the group.” That there had been infighting within the group is maybe not the most surprising revelation about a team that just lost five straight, but it certainly provides additional context to those struggles.</p>
<p id="eVpFwk">During the PTFC’s losing streak, the team looked sluggish, disorganized, and generally like they weren’t too excited to be on a soccer field. By contrast, the team on Saturday looked confident, composed and, as Ebobisse said, tenacious. It’s probably too soon to say whether or not the team has totally righted the ship, especially when it comes to their mentality — and the presumably imminent arrival of Brian Fernandez may throw another wrench in the team’s collective attitude. </p>
<p id="wiYhvx">That said, for the first time since December, Timbers fans can relax and enjoy the way their team is playing. As Gio Savarese said following his latest win, “It feels good for sure especially because this is our team. This is the Portland Timbers that we know.”</p>
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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/portland-timbers/2019/4/29/18520589/bit-by-bit-are-the-portland-timbers-good-again-mls-toronto-winZach Kay2019-04-27T10:00:00-07:002019-04-27T10:00:00-07:00Portland Timbers at Toronto FC: How to watch, preview, match chat [12:00]
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<img alt="MLS: Toronto FC at Portland Timbers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/51ZXLEk0zoBSR7WoT-E8hS3u1-s=/0x0:2986x1991/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63684042/usa_today_11153134.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="mAooW9">The <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> may have gotten their first win of the 2019 season, but that does not mean that their grueling schedule has let up. The Timbers’ season-opening road swing continues today as they take on another Eastern Conference contender in <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>.</p>
<p id="r4cP6I">After six matches of struggling to put in a full ninety minute performance, the Timbers finally were able to put together a full game in their 3-1 win against <a href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew SC</a> in their 3-1 win last weekend. The Crew were considered one of the most sound defensive teams in MLS coming into the match, but the Timbers were able to expose them, putting up three goals for just the second time this year while still keeping the struggling Crew attack from getting up and running.</p>
<p id="1rI80k">Now, however, the Timbers face a Toronto team that has had no problem whatsoever scoring goals, notching eighteen in their six matches so far this season. Toronto will likely be without star striker <span>Jozy Altidore</span> due to a hamstring injury, but that might not mean much with Giovinco-replacement Alejandro Pozuelo buzzing around the final third for TFC. Already on four goals and five assists in just four games with Toronto, Pozuelo promises to be a key part of Toronto’s ability to simply over power teams in the attack and will take everything that the Timbers’ defense has got to keep contained.</p>
<h4 id="zXJYqy">Previews</h4>
<p id="AJMTI1"><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/4/26/18518036/storylines-toronto-fc-vs-portland-timbers-jozy-altidore-diego-valeri-sebastian-blanco"><strong>Storylines</strong></a><strong>:</strong> “Hopefully the offense can get a bit more of a kick in the rear. Of the three goals scored last week, only one was by a forward or midfielder, and that was Ebobisse. The other two, defender goals: a sweet header and a well-placed goal off the foot of Moreira.”</p>
<p id="JSYzV9"><em>Swing by the </em><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/4/26/18518731/timbers-prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-8-toronto-fc-vs-portland-timbers"><em>Rose City Forecast</em></a><em> to make your predictions about today’s match.</em></p>
<h4 id="bFZwb5">Match Information</h4>
<p id="aB7WBe"><strong>Watch it on:</strong> ROOT Sports</p>
<p id="oIDkde"><strong>Where:</strong> BMO Field in Toronto Canada</p>
<p id="xL00BE"><strong>When:</strong> Saturday, April 27th at 12:00 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="8xzqTo"><strong>Portland Timbers:</strong> 1-5-1, 11th place in the Western Conference, 3-1 win at Columbus Crew SC</p>
<p id="Fm5OQ8"><strong>Toronto FC:</strong> 4-1-1, 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, 4-3 win vs. <a href="https://www.epluribusloonum.com/">Minnesota United</a></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/4/27/18519603/portland-timbers-at-toronto-fc-how-to-watch-preview-match-chat-12-00William Conwell2019-04-26T17:24:06-07:002019-04-26T17:24:06-07:00Storylines: Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers
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<img alt="MLS: Toronto FC at Portland Timbers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s24t963GLWQ9zXuZ0itYwAizzyU=/0x0:4293x2862/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63681263/usa_today_11152999.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Timbers look for their second road win</p> <h2 id="stvJNS">The Story So Far</h2>
<p id="5wGATd">Last week the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> traveled to Columbus to take on the Crew and former coach Caleb Porter. The Timbers did something they haven’t all season: win. Goals from <span>Larrys Mabiala</span>, <span>Jeremy Ebobisse</span>, and new right back Jorge Moreira sealed the win for the Timbers. Hopefully the first win of the season represents the turn of the corner.</p>
<p id="hSTCst">As for <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>, they took on the Loons of <a href="https://www.epluribusloonum.com/">Minnesota United</a>. There were seven goals scored, three braces, and four lead changes, and in the end TFC came away with the 4-3 win. They currently sit third in the East, just four points off the lead and just one point behind the Impact.</p>
<p id="SwsL7X">No doubt about it, the Timbers are going to have their hands full when it comes to TFC. So, can the Timbers turn one win into two? Or will Toronto FC add to their 3-0-1 record at home?</p>
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<h2 id="h0uCgP">What To Watch For</h2>
<h4 id="Meslgs">Toronto FC (4-1-1, 13 pts)</h4>
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<figcaption>Toronto FC vs Minnesota FC</figcaption>
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<p id="4krCxQ">Right now <span>Greg Vanney</span>’s Toronto FC lead the league, scoring an average of 3.0 goals per game. While most of Toronto FC’s fan base and I’m sure the team itself were not happy with the way things went down in 2018, when they finished 9th and out of the playoffs, fans have to be optimistic with the team off to a 4-1-1 start (three of those wins at home). </p>
<p id="1xpYCV">The Reds will be without the services of star striker <span>Jozy Altidore</span> who tweaked his hamstring against the Loons and should be out about three weeks. Also out is defender Drew Moor. It’s possible that homegrown forward Jordan Hamilton could get the start in the absence of Jozy Altidore.</p>
<p id="cifOFw">Just because you take Jozy out of the equation doesn’t mean this team is hamstrung offensively, they’ve scored 18 goals in just six matches. On the other side of the coin, their defense is nothing to write home about. They’ve allowed 11 in the same stretch of matches, but still have a plus goal differential. </p>
<p id="00xKKd">Vanney for the most part uses a 3-5-2 formation, but against the Loons they came out with a 3-5-1-1, which gives them a numerical advantage in the midfield. It also allows the wingbacks/wingers to push up into the attack. Look for TFC to spread the pitch wide, while dinking around with short passes to keep possession. They’ll attack down the right often and are known to run the offside trap.</p>
<p id="gjcCcB">The offense of the Reds could give the Timbers defense fits all night long even without their goal scoring leader (Altidore). One of the players you need to keep an eye on is Spaniard Alejandro Pozuelo, who has four goals and leads the team with five assists. In 90 minutes against the Loons he netted a brace. If they keep with the 3-5-1-1, look for Pozuelo to play just underneath the striker.</p>
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<h4 id="nHXOFz">Portland Timbers (1-5-1, 4 pts)</h4>
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<p id="K6zBIv">Last week’s win took the Timbers out of the absolute bottom of the Western Conference, that particular distinction now belongs to the hapless <a href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a>. Not only did the Timbers earn their first victory, it was the first match this season where they scored first.</p>
<p id="RZy2VN">Now it’s time to put that in the rearview mirror and focus on the Reds of Toronto. </p>
<p id="o9ojYt">The Timbers came out in a 4-4-2 instead of the 4-2-3-1 they normally use. This seemed to work well for the Timbers, especially against a team trying to overload the midfield. The Timbers handled it well and got the win.</p>
<p id="Vnt1Gd">Now they face the Reds who are very good on the offensive end, and a bit questionable when it comes to the defense. So this match could come down to which offense is better, and could end up with a decent goal tally. I still don’t think the Timbers defense is where it really needs to be, but seeing <span>Bill Tuiloma</span> getting the start next to Mabiala makes me happy. Cascante was not getting it done.</p>
<p id="AJMTI1">Hopefully the offense can get a bit more of a kick in the rear. Of the three goals scored last week, only one was by a forward or midfielder, and that was Ebobisse. The other two, defender goals: a sweet header and a well-placed goal off the foot of Moreira. But it worked, and I’d like it to keep working.</p>
<p id="EzoijI">I wouldn’t be overly surprised if Giovanni Savarese sticks with the 4-4-2. It worked in Columbus, and against a team like Toronto I think it will be effective. TFC are very chill in possession and I can see the Timbers needing to play a bit more aggressively — if they don’t, it could be a slow-moving affair. One thing the Timbers defense won’t have to worry about is Altidore, but Greg Vanney has three other options: Hamilton (as I mentioned above), Ayo Akinola, or former US International Terrence Boyd. </p>
<p id="OMfNdf"><span>Diego Valeri</span> notched his fourth assist of the season and the 69th of his career last week in Cbus. I’m really looking for him to get even more involved with the attack. Maybe it’s just me (and I haven’t gone back to look at any other previous matches, though I might), but I still think the Timbers can get more from him. I’m hoping that it’s just a slow start to the season for the Maestro.</p>
<p id="pvchWs"><span>Sebastian Blanco</span> looked great last week, picking up two assists and man of the match honors. On and off the boxscore, Blanco put in work last week. I wouldn’t expect anything less from him coming up against a tough Toronto club. With Valeri and Blanco flying at the same speed good things will come.</p>
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<h2 id="vnoO1u">Log Slices</h2>
<p id="KN6m9c">Toronto FC (4-1-1, 13pts) is unbeaten in four home games (3-0-1) this season. Toronto FC ranks second in MLS in goals scored (18), led by Alejandro Pozuelo, who has tallied four goals and five assists in his first four games. </p>
<p id="k9ZtC4">Saturday’s match marks the 10th meeting all-time between Portland and Toronto FC. The Timbers have won two of the last three meetings, including a 2-0 win at Providence Park on August 29, 2018.</p>
<p id="Rf2iQG">There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Toronto’s last 12 home games. </p>
<p id="9U8n7E">Toronto have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/4/26/18518036/storylines-toronto-fc-vs-portland-timbers-jozy-altidore-diego-valeri-sebastian-blancoTimm Higgins2019-04-26T15:41:01-07:002019-04-26T15:41:01-07:00Rose City Forecast 8: Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers
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<img alt="MLS: Toronto FC at Portland Timbers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z-pbyMX9hqb0DKiNXEaaSS1HfxU=/7x0:4339x2888/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63680748/usa_today_11153106.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="vQBzox">Welcome back to the Forecast! And it really is an excited welcome! The Timbers won!</p>
<p id="Z0XKIM">If you thought it was a dream, like I did, rest assured: it was not. Your <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> really did travel to Ohio, face off against their former coach, and walk away with three goals and three points! Early on, the Timbers just managed to avoid conceding first after a bad <span>Jeff Attinella</span> clearance gifted <span>Federico Higuain</span> with a chance at a near-open net. But Higuain rushed the shot and it went wide, keeping the Columbus Crew scoreless. Not long after, <span>Larrys Mabiala</span> opened the scoring from a <span>Diego Valeri</span> free kick. Just minutes later, PTFC scored again when Jeremy Ebobisse finished a <span>Sebastian Blanco</span> assist. After halftime, Attinella gifted Columbus another chance, and this time <span>Pedro Santos</span> found the net. Other than that, the Timbers managed to keep Columbus fairly quiet for the rest of the half, and then put the game to bed with a rocket from Jorge Moreira at the beginning of stoppage time. The Timbers no longer have the worst point total in the league!</p>
<p id="l2Dmbb">A big shout-out to MindfulCyclist, jocked07, and Timbers Pride, who all predicted a Timbers win in what I considered a near-hopeless matchup. But prediction of the week goes to landoid, who not only predicted a PTFC win, but also called the scoreline. Excellent work! And since the Timbers earned three points for the first time all season, I figured I should let you all know how many points you’ve earned. The standings have arrived!</p>
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<p id="PGlsBl">This Saturday, the Timbers will face their toughest test since LAFC. They travel to Canada to face <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>, who currently sit on 2.17 points per game. They’ve had five matches at BMO Stadium, and haven’t lost one; they’re averaging three goals per game; and they have a goal differential of +7, second only to LAFC’s absurd +18. On the plus side, their leading scorer, <span>Jozy Altidore</span>, is out with (guess what!) a hamstring injury. On the downside, Alejandro Pozuelo is expected to play, and he’s been ridiculous in the four games he’s seen, earning four goals and five assists! And Jordan Hamilton, Altidore’s projected replacement, had a brace in last weekend’s match, so Toronto still has a lot of firepower to go against the Timbers’ questionable defense. To have a chance, PTFC will have to play at least as well as last week in addition to eliminating Attinella’s giveaways. But for the first time all year, Portland has some momentum, building off an improved performance in Dallas to get the win last weekend. Can they maintain their upward trend and at least earn a point?</p>
<p id="MIojsi"><strong>Total Cards O/U:</strong> 4.5</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>
</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 kickoff 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 few 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 Blanco scores, assisted by Valeri, and you predicted that exact combination, you get a total of three points: 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 bonus.)</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. Just like predicting a player assist, you earn an assist point if you correctly predict an unassisted or free kick goal. 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. </small><small><strong>However, please keep your predictions to one assist per goal.</strong></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="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>Blanco (Valeri)</small></p>
<p id="VmlDiF"><small>Valeri (Free kick)</small></p>
<p id="MnWKja"><small>Ebo (PK)</small></p>
<p id="ycmK1t"><small>Blanco (Unassisted)</small></p>
<p id="ucjHJ3"><span><small><strong>Graham Zusi</strong></small></span><small> (Free kick)</small></p>
<p id="Pvq8aR"><span><small><strong>Krisztian Nemeth</strong></small></span><small> (Johnny Russel)</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>Matt Besler</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"><span><small><strong>Roger Espinoza</strong></small></span><small> 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>
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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/4/26/18518731/timbers-prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-8-toronto-fc-vs-portland-timbersCR McNeil