Stumptown Footy - Coverage Hub: Portland Timbers vs Los Angeles Football ClubYou are my sunshine, my only sunshine.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31537/stumptown-fave.jpg2019-06-04T12:01:00-07:00http://www.stumptownfooty.com/rss/stream/184127752019-06-04T12:01:00-07:002019-06-04T12:01:00-07:00Six Degrees: Not Perfect, But Not Awful Either
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<img alt="MLS: Los Angeles FC at Portland Timbers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7N6Vtfjxs4j1p5VKEdnkjeGWXyo=/0x0:4059x2706/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63948148/usa_today_12816844.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LAFC 3, Portland 2</p> <p id="HyxWWX">Is my headline talking about the game or the newly re-modeled stadium? A little of both.</p>
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<p id="U9W7Tc"><strong>1) </strong>Since the stadium expansion was such a big part of the story this weekend, please forgive me as I dedicate an entire degree to it. We’ll get to the game eventually, I promise.</p>
<p id="CQTjn4">Let’s start with my history at the stadium. </p>
<p id="bhNMYm">Back in 2012, my job brought me to Portland, I came to a random Timbers game, and fell head over heels in love. At that point, I was getting my tickets from random sources, so each game I was sitting in a different section. Sometimes the seats were good, sometimes they were awful, and to be honest, I think moving around week to week was actually a good thing. It let me get a feel for the entire stadium.</p>
<p id="0shm5d">In 2013, I bought a package of maybe 10-12 games up in section 218. There was a post that partially blocked the north goal, so anytime the ball would get down in that area, pretty much the entire section would start leaning forward and leaning back, trying to see around that post, trying to follow the ball. Strangely, I have fond memories of that. It was a charming little quirk.</p>
<p id="qNCHVa">In 2014, I found a back-channel source for TA seats. It was a family who’d moved to Seattle and couldn’t come to the games anymore. Rather than cancel them, they just sold the whole season to me at face value, so from 2014 through 2018, I was in the TA for each and every game. Usually in 103 or 203.</p>
<p id="AUViRG">This offseason, after seven years, I finally made it to the top of the waiting list, and bought a single ticket up in the new section. It was a bit more expensive than I’d like, but I figured, hell, I might never get another shot at those tickets, so I’d better get ‘em while I could. I ended up on the middle deck. It’s got a name, but I can never remember what it is. The bottom one’s Tanner Ridge, right? And the top two are called... erm... the Duracell Deck? And maybe the... I don’t know... the Mattress World Buy One Mattress At Full Price, Get the Second For Half Price Deck? I think that’s the one I’m on.</p>
<p id="B6fGJM">So what did I think of my new seat? Well, for starters, it a <em>hell</em> of a view. It was honestly like watching Camera 1 on TV, only much, much better, since Camera 1 can’t see the whole field, plus the stands, plus the West Hills in the background, the sunset turning everything orange and red. Just lovely. Sure, there’s about 20 minutes where the sun’s in your eyes, but – Pro Tip – pulling your hat way down blocks it out just fine.</p>
<p id="nMscqd">Now for the bad part. </p>
<p id="lZZVSa">In this new section, it feels like I’m watching a soccer game. In the TA, it felt like I was watching a soccer game <em>while </em>at a party. And a friggin’ awesome party, too, with flags and singing and confetti and smoke and all sorts of crazy shit. The new section doesn’t feel like that. The view is much, much, <em>much</em> better. And it’s nice being able to sit down whenever my feet need a rest. And it’ll be nice rolling in two minutes before kickoff (though will I do that? I really enjoy watching warmups...).</p>
<p id="6sxjlQ">But missing the party atmosphere of the TA? That’ll take some getting used to. I’m still singing and clapping, but maybe not quite so much, since it’s just me. Without a capo up front egging everyone on, I’m not sure the new decks are ever going to rock like the TA. (And before you say anything... no, I’m not going to walk to the front of the section and be a capo. Sorry, but it ain’t happening.)</p>
<p id="SYnTnJ">Another weird thing – and I’d love to hear from other folks down in comments – but it wasn’t that loud up there. I’ve seen tons of tweets and interviews remarking on how loud the stadium was, how it was clearly louder than before, but that wasn’t my experience. I didn’t find it all that loud up in the new section. Is it possible the cheers don’t reach us? Maybe our cheers go down to the field but everyone else’s cheers don’t come back up to us? Is that possible? I’d love to hear thoughts on this from other folks in the new sections.</p>
<p id="Zh4FKP">Actually, I’d love to hear any and all thoughts on our first game back. Do you like the new stadium? Is it significantly different for you, or mostly the same?</p>
<p id="yemJzV">Now, one final thing in this absurdly long opening degree: the LAFC fans. On Saturday and Sunday, both at the stadium and then later reading the tweets and the articles and the interviews, I didn’t hear a single bad thing said about the LAFC fans.</p>
<p id="w0R03a">But then on Monday, I saw a friend of mine who sits in section 221, which was right next to the LAFC crowd, separated by just a single aisle. My friend says it was a fucking disaster. He says the LAFC fans were throwing beers into his section for almost the entire game. He says the teenage girl next to him got absolutely soaked. He says an older couple in front of him just left early. He says an LAFC fan’s beer hit another LAFC fan, but the second guy thought it came from a Timbers fan and almost started a fight, then when a Timbers fan came forward to try and calm him down, a third LAFC fan started hitting him.</p>
<p id="dyxDkC">These are some awful stories, right? So why haven’t I heard about them from anyone else? Aside from my friend – who’s a very trustworthy guy – I haven’t seen or heard a single thing about this. How is that? This seems like a pretty big deal, the kind of thing that might lead to travel bans, if not actual arrests.</p>
<p id="ORr8oP">So what about you folks? Anybody see any of this? How bad was it? Did anyone get arrested? Is anyone getting banned from future games?</p>
<p id="H7nHIh">Or did none of this happen and my friend’s a big fat liar?</p>
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<p id="ZglwQR"><strong>2) </strong>Okay, that’s the stadium. Should we talk about soccer now?</p>
<p id="jAPObH">Nope. Not yet. Instead, let’s talk about the referee, Robert Sibiga. A lot of people are furious with him. Me, not so much. I thought he could have done better, but he also could have done worse. And in one situation, he helped us out in a big way.</p>
<p id="kraCDR">The first point I’ll make is that the Timbers fouled the <em>shit</em> out of Carlos Vela. In principle, I don’t have a huge problem with this. When you’re the best player in the league, teams are going to kick you. Get used to it. What should have happened is Sibiga should have started handing out persistent infringement yellows. He never did, which was awfully good for us.</p>
<p id="qOUOMr">Secondly, and even better for us, is <span><strong>Sebastian Blanco</strong></span>’s yellow in the 85<sup>th</sup> minute. It should have been a red. Sibiga did us a huge favor by not tossing Seba. Look at this replay. </p>
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<div id="cLQ8b8"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/easygoingsoupybactrian" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="lcitbE">Seba comes from behind, jumps into the player’s legs, and is not even <em>close</em> to the ball. Sorry, folks, but that’s a red. It just is. If Seba gets the ball, or even gets close to it, maybe it’s a yellow. But reckless, endangering, <em>and</em> nowhere near the ball? That’s a red card. We got super lucky.</p>
<p id="bKXSFn">Next, the handball. Sibiga’s call on the field was that it happened just outside the box and, looking at the replay, I don’t see how he can overturn that. </p>
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<p id="HmeIo3">Remember, the key words with video review are “clear and obvious.” If you can look at this replay and call it clearly and obviously on the line, I’ll have some of what you’re smoking.</p>
<p id="fnnb76">Next up, the stoppage time melee. Let’s look at the replay first, then break it all down.</p>
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<p id="7EWPJA">The guy who comes out of this looking most like a dick is the LAFC assistant coach who plays keepaway with <strong>Jorge Villafaña</strong>. What a douche. </p>
<p id="SOqC3r">After that, the video shows Adama Diomande getting pushed and pulled by Blanco, <strong>Brian Fernandez</strong>, and <strong>Larrys Mabiala</strong>. What the video <em>doesn’t </em>show is what Diomande did to <strong>Julio Cascante</strong>’s throat. Check it out here.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s a slowmo of the Diomande/Cascante/Fernandez incident last night <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/oDtfWvcfhI">pic.twitter.com/oDtfWvcfhI</a></p>— TA Local 104 (@TA104_COGTFO) <a href="https://twitter.com/TA104_COGTFO/status/1135398393327472640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2019</a>
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<p id="zi50es">That’s fucked up. Zlatan did <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=WbfGzzd4Fy4">something very similar</a> earlier this year and got a two-game suspension. Diomande deserves the same.</p>
<p id="a8Oxhf">The question is, will the league also penalize Blanco, Fernandez, and Mabiala? Their hands are all over Diomande’s neck. Maybe his face, too. I’m not sure <em>I’d </em>fine or suspend them, but maybe the league will. I dunno.</p>
<p id="oWzCHh">And our final referee controversy came at the very end, when the Timbers didn’t get their full 8 minutes of stoppage time. This is the first situation where I think we got screwed. In all of the above situations, I think the Timbers either benefited or it was neutral, but at the end, when we didn’t get an extra three or four minutes to try and find an equalizer? Yeah, I’ve got issues with that.</p>
<p id="ho7O0A">But that’s my only major complaint. Otherwise, I don’t think Sibiga screwed us. Feel free to give me the business down in the comments.</p>
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<p id="NsIWZa"><strong>3) </strong>So, we’ve talked about stadiums and fans and referees. Should we finally talk about the game? Yeah, let’s do it.</p>
<p id="0gGGg3">Saturday was a big day for everyone. First home game of the year, first time in front of the big east side stands, and if that’s not enough, we just happened to be playing the best team in the league. With all that in mind, it probably shouldn’t be surprising that the team came out tight. For the entire first half, they played slow, they played tentatively, and they played just a little scared.</p>
<p id="2Dvf83">You know who didn’t look tight? LAFC. They were organized, decisive, and utterly relaxed. In short, they looked like the best team in the league. Which they are.</p>
<p id="3LlrTz">The best team in the league doesn’t really need help, but in the 6<sup>th</sup> minute, <span><strong>Jeff Attinella</strong></span> decided to give them some anyway, passing the ball directly to the best player in the league, Carlos Vela.</p>
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<p id="VhzEgv">What is there to say? Jeff fucked up and he knows it. The only real question is whether he’s done for the year. This is the second time this season he’s gifted the other team a goal like this. Is that Gio’s limit? Is <strong>Steve Clark</strong> our starting keeper from here on? I have no sure answer, but if Jeff’s riding the bench the rest of the year, I’ll certainly understand.</p>
<p id="oNjTtQ">Unfortunately, Jeff Jeff Jeff wasn’t the only guy playing tight. In the 34<sup>th</sup> minute, <strong>Jorge Moreira</strong> let his brain turn off for a few seconds and paid the price.</p>
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<p id="WCgOof">Moreira had absolutely no idea where Diego Rossi was. He was ball-watching that whole time, so when the ball started rolling to him across the box, he thought he had plenty of time. If Moreira steps to that ball a little quicker, he probably clears it out. Instead, he waited for it to come to him, and Rossi zipped in from Moreira’s blind spot and made him pay. </p>
<p id="eOk9Cu">Just like with Attinella, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen Moreira screw up, and just like with Attinella, if he’s riding the bench the rest of the year, I won’t be totally surprised.</p>
<p id="HKlQ43">Anyway, that’s two goals for the bad guys, and both were practically gift wrapped in a box with a bow on top.</p>
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<p id="cDaHdI"><strong>4) </strong>I’m not sure what happened in the halftime locker room. Maybe they calmly talked tactics, maybe Gio gave them the hairdryer treatment, or maybe they just drank a bunch of triple-shot espressos. Whatever happened, it woke the team up and they came out in the second half like a team on fire.</p>
<p id="FN5eFI">The Timbers had zero shots on goal in the first half. They had three in the first 45 seconds of the 2<sup>nd</sup> half, culminating in this goal by <strong>Cristhian Paredes</strong>.</p>
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<p id="mfUBOk">And that wasn’t the end of it. The Timbers kept attacking, non-stop. It’s hard to overstate how much better they looked than in the first half. It was night and day. They were relaxed, organized, aggressive. When they lost the ball, they’d get it back quickly. When they attacked, it wasn’t three or four guys attacking, it was everyone. It really did feel like they were going to draw even, then probably go ahead. They were the better team.</p>
<p id="KRtfXL">But then, for the third time in the game, they shot themselves in the foot. </p>
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<div id="60flaY"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 44px;"><iframe src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/tangiblesatisfiedfrog" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="zfvyZM">Who’s to blame for not picking up Latif Blessing? I don’t think it’s Villafaña, as he’s just too far away to do anything. So the blame lies with either <span><strong>Bill Tuiloma</strong></span>, who was – questionably – doubling LAFC’s striker, or <span><strong>Diego Chara</strong></span>, who, to my eyes, is just ball-watching. </p>
<p id="HGEktl">I’m gonna blame Chara unless you can talk me out of it in the comments. Blessing runs right in front of him. I think Chara’s got to follow him.</p>
<p id="GkJ76J">3-1, bad guys.</p>
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<p id="rf8ZhH"><strong>5) </strong>Blessing’s goal would have broken the spirit of a lot of teams, but it didn’t break Portland’s. They kept fighting, didn’t let LAFC score a 4<sup>th</sup> or a 5<sup>th</sup>, then in the 84<sup>th</sup> minute, drew within one on a Brian Fernandez golazo.</p>
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<p id="1CXLcU">That’s Fernandez’s fourth goal in three games, which is just absurd. Can he keep this up? Probably not. Will he try? Absolutely. The guy goes like hell for 90 minutes, constantly pushing for a goal. That’s not always the case with forwards. A lot of forwards are hit or miss. They drift in and out of games, sometimes disappearing completely. But in three games with the Timbers, I haven’t seen even the tiniest hint of that from Fernandez. He’s working his ass off the entire game.</p>
<p id="Q7wqxu">Time will tell, of course, but for now, it seems like the front office completely nailed the “high level attacking DP signing” it took them so long to make. Well done, Gavin and company. You hit this one out of the park.</p>
<p id="pGQ9Hy">Going back to Fernandez’s bicycle kick goal, surely you noticed that he only scored once <span><strong>Jeremy Ebobisse</strong></span> had entered the game. Did he score <em>because</em> Jebo was out there with him, or no? Correlation does not equal causation, but still, this is something I’ll keep my eye on moving forward.</p>
<p id="PL50t5">As I’ve written constantly for the last three weeks, I want the two of them playing together. I don’t want center backs leaning on Fernandez for 90 minutes. I want them leaning on Jebo. I want Jebo camped out in the box, occupying their attention, allowing Fernandez to roam, to find the angles, to run into empty spaces, to score goals. Jebo doesn’t need to score goals. He can be a target forward, a big body in the box, keeping the CBs occupied, and laying balls off to Fernandez, Blanco, and <span><strong>Diego Valeri</strong></span>.</p>
<p id="9Fh0Mf">I’ve felt all this before, but now that I’ve seen Jebo starting on the bench and Fernandez playing the classic striker’s role, I’m feeling it even stronger. Fernandez/Ebobisse is better than Fernandez alone. And if you need a nice, short, easy to remember hashtag, how’s this one?</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JeboAndFernandezOnTheFieldAtTheSameTime4EvaThankYou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JeboAndFernandezOnTheFieldAtTheSameTime4EvaThankYou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PORvLAFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PORvLAFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a></p>— Mike (@pacificPDX) <a href="https://twitter.com/pacificPDX/status/1135040739174301697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2019</a>
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<p id="Ul1Nme"><strong>6) </strong>Let’s finish with some random thoughts.</p>
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<li id="y8Xcmw">Blanco’s yellow card was his fifth, which means he’ll be suspended for our next MLS game.</li>
<li id="FIHyev">Don’t feel too bad for Blanco, though. Suspended or not, he’s still the single coolest human being on the planet.</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">In all my years on this planet, I have never looked, nor ever WILL look, as cool as Seba looks in this photo. Dear God, man. Save some handsome for the rest of us! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCTID?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RCTID</a> <a href="https://t.co/XUR80G486S">pic.twitter.com/XUR80G486S</a></p>— C.I. DeMann (@CIDeMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/CIDeMann/status/1135255282689273857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2019</a>
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<ul>
<li id="w8mRoA">Bill Tuiloma came off hurt in the 60<sup>th</sup> minute. Let’s hope it’s not too bad.</li>
<li id="4bQ7Zs">But if it is, he’s got plenty of time to rest up. The Timbers don’t have a game next week. Or the week after that. Seems almost cruel to keep the team away for so long, give us our first home game, then immediately go on break. Our next MLS game isn’t until June 22<sup>nd</sup>.</li>
<li id="77YZkd">There will be a soccer game, though, just not an MLS one. The Timbers travel up to Seattle on Wednesday, June 12<sup>th</sup> to take on Seattle in our first US Open Cup game. I’m not sure if the game’s being played at a high school, a middle school, or a church parking lot, but I’ll be interested to see who Gio starts. Sometimes US Open Cup games are a chance to give second-choice players a start, but since we’ve got this break in MLS games, I think Gio will play our first choice XI, simply to keep them fresh.</li>
<li id="Q8WEbY">I’ll see you all next Tuesday. I already have a bunch of goofy bye-week stuff planned. Should be fun.</li>
</ul>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/6/4/18652390/six-degrees-not-perfect-but-not-awful-eitherC.I. DeMann2019-06-01T21:50:52-07:002019-06-01T21:50:52-07:00Portland Timbers can’t overcome disastrous start in 3-2 loss to Los Angeles FC
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<p id="jth0al">Despite Brian Fernandez’s fourth goal in three appearances, the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> lost 3-2 to Los Angeles FC in their first match at the renovated Providence Park.</p>
<p id="HnCeMb">Things took a bizarre turn for the Timbers seven minutes into the match when, after collecting the ball in the box, <span>Jeff Attinella</span> looked for a quick pass to start the attack, but instead of finding <span>Jorge Villafana</span> with the ball, he served it directly to Golden Boot leader and likely MVP <span>Carlos Vela</span> instead. With only Attinella between him and the goal, Vela carried the ball forward and coolly slotted it home at the near post before the other twenty players on the pitch could work out just what had happened.</p>
<p id="nXxpi2">After giving up the unthinkable first goal, the Timbers began to put the visitors under pressure, sending ball after ball into the box and forcing LAFC into a long spell of emergency defending at the fifteen minute mark before a foul on a Timbers corner kick broke the momentum.</p>
<p id="oThUL4">The Timbers nearly gifted LAFC their second of the night in the 29th minute, when the visitors managed to break up some short passes in the Timbers end and send a ball toward winger <span>Diego Rossi</span>, breaking in on goal. With Attinella scrambling, Rossi hit the ball with his first touch, but could not put it on goal and keeping the scoreline at just 1-0.</p>
<p id="Ix49Lf">Moments later, it was the Timbers who were on the attack as Attinella quickly took a goal kick and caught LAFC off balance for a quick break down the pitch. After Diego Chara found <span>Sebastian Blanco</span> out wide on the left flank, the wily Argentine broke in on goal, dribbling around one defender before taking his shot, but putting it well wide of goal.</p>
<p id="nOnzHY">The Timbers finally gave up their second of the match in the 34th minute and, while not quite as embarrassing as the first, the second LAFC goal did not cover the Timbers in glory either. After a rapid series of passes found Tristan Blackmon out wide on the Timbers’ left, the LAFC full back served a low, rolling ball into the box that looked certain to be cleared by Jorge Moreira. As Moreira cocked back his boot to clear the ball away, however, in streaked Rossi, putting a boot to the ball before his flat-footed opponent and tucking his side-footed shot home to put the league-leaders up 2-0.</p>
<p id="KddM8c">The Timbers seemed shaken by their second concession and struggled for the remainder of the first half. The team’s funk was quickly shaken off when the second half began, however, as the Timbers came out of the locker room swinging.</p>
<p id="a4bpHK">The energy and desperation of the Timbers attack quickly paid dividends in the 47th minute when the Timbers managed a fast, scrappy goal to pull within one. After a Timbers break down the pitch, <span>Diego Valeri</span> managed to corral a loose ball at the end line and cut a pass back into the path of Blanco. Serving the ball to the back post, Blanco found the curling run of Brian Fernandez for a snap header from the new arrival that forced LAFC keeper <span>Tyler Miller</span> to parry the ball away. The spinning rebound did not go far and fell nicely for Cristhian Paredes who had no trouble finishing the play with a point blank volley into the back of the net.</p>
<p id="AMT9B5">Moments after the restart the Timbers came close again when a long ball out of the back found Fernandez breaking in behind the LAFC back line. Fernandez took the ball down and burst in on goal, but Miller was equal to the chance and got low to save Fernandez’s low shot at the far post.</p>
<p id="LBAZJ6">As the Timbers looked to hold their momentum and fight their way back into the match, they were caught off balance by the visitors and LAFC struck again. Pushing forward from his full back spot, familiar Timbers foe <span>Jordan Harvey</span> served a long diagonal ball into the box, toward the back post. With both Timbers center backs tracking the near post run of striker <span>Christian Ramirez</span>, nobody picked up the late run of Latif Blessing. As the ball dropped to Blessing in space, the LAFC midfielder leapt and put a boot to the ball, placing it just around Attinella for LAFC’s third of the match.</p>
<p id="Ounwm5">Again down by two, the Timbers continued to fight and the chances came for the home side. In the 56th minute, a diagonal ball from Moreira found Fernandez in the box for a header on goal, but Miller was able to parry it away; in the 62nd, Valeri cut across the top of the LAFC box and hit a curling shot through traffic that forced Miller to dive at full extension to parry it away; and in the 76th, the the Timbers thought they had drawn a penalty when the ball struck Harvey’s arm on the edge of the box but referee Robert Sibiga ruled that the infraction had taken place just outside the box.</p>
<p id="d7BSkz">Finally, in the 86th minute, the Timbers managed to break through in spectacular fashion. After laying siege to the LAFC end for several minute, Jorge Villafana collected the ball on the LAFC end line and floated a curling ball into the box. Rising up over his man, Jeremey Ebobissed flicked the ball toward goal where Fernandez was lurking. As the ball fell to him facing away from goal, Fernandez threw himself into a bicycle kick, making solid contact with the ball and sending it past Miller and into the back of the net to pull the Timbers again within one.</p>
<p id="EG0w16">As the Timbers went in search of their equalizer and LAFC sought to grind the match down, the remaining minutes devolved into a series of fouls and scuffles, causing players and coaches from both teams to come together on multiple occasions. Finally, after four yellow cards in the final ten minutes of the match, Sibiga blew the final whistle.</p>
<p id="BxIH0h">Having opened their new stadium, the Timbers are back on the road for their next match on June 12th when they will face the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf">U.S. Open</a> Cup. The match will be the fourth time that the Timbers and Sounders have met in the U.S. Open Cup in the last six years.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/6/1/18648974/portland-timbers-cant-overcome-disastrous-start-in-3-2-loss-to-los-angeles-fcWilliam Conwell2019-06-01T16:00:00-07:002019-06-01T16:00:00-07:00Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles FC: How to watch, Previews, Match Chat [7:30]
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Los Angeles FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WNjssD1XaN9mV_4SPUDKxj9FFUk=/0x0:4386x2924/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63934273/usa_today_12325116.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s the dang home opener!</p> <p id="AUbWA1">The <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> finally play at home today when, after more than half a year’s wait, they will host league-leading Los Angeles FC in a match that will set the tone for the rest of their season.</p>
<p id="m2IFQk">Facing off against <span>Bob Bradley</span>’s record-pacing, wrecking ball of a team, the Timbers will need to put in a strong effort if they want to come away with all three points. Thankfully, after a shoddy start to the season epitomized by the side’s 4-1 shellacking at the hands of LAFC back in March, the Timbers have built themselves into a team that — despite still sitting below the playoff line — seem much more coherent and purposeful than they did three months ago.</p>
<p id="HvAcSp">While improvements have come for the Timbers all across the pitch, a big part of their most recent positive performances has been the play of new designated player Brian Fernandez whose three goals in just 115 minutes played are already good for the second most by a Timbers player this year. Today’s match against LAFC will be Fernandez’s Providence Park debut and an opportunity for the forward to show Timbers fans what he can do in person.</p>
<p id="J4OIl0">If the Timbers can come away from today with the full three points, in addition to having taken down the biggest prize in the league, they could be within one point of the playoff line as they embark on the most home-heavy schedule in league history.</p>
<h4 id="qaF6Gx">Previews</h4>
<p id="i8JCu3"><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645298/portland-timbers-vs-los-angeles-football-club-brian-fernandez-diego-valeri-carlos-vela-diego-rossi"><strong>Storylines</strong></a><strong>:</strong> “On the back of a Brian Fernandez brace, the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/"><strong>Portland Timbers</strong></a> wrapped up their 12 game road odyssey in Philadelphia with a win. The top-in-the-East Union were no match for the Timbers new Designated Player, who now has three goals in two appearances. What a better way to head home is having a 4-1-1 record in their last six. He will now make his debut in front of the Timbers Army on Saturday.”</p>
<p id="b0FoIB"><em>Make sure you are ready for the first home match in the renovated Providence Park with our </em><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645006/everything-you-need-to-know-about-attending-the-new-providence-park"><em>primer</em></a><em>, plus we have some, uh, </em><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645705/we-paired-the-new-providence-park-concessions-with-ptfc-players-timbers-thorns"><em>thoughts</em></a><em> on some of the stadium’s new food offerings.</em></p>
<p id="FNrkVS"><em>And make sure to stop by the </em><a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18646928/prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-13-portland-timbers-vs-lafc"><em>Rose City Forecast</em></a><em> to make your predictions about today’s home opener.</em></p>
<h4 id="y1fPZY">Match Information</h4>
<p id="q2bLk7"><strong>Watch it on:</strong> ESPN2</p>
<p id="AE7haJ"><strong>Where:</strong> Providence Park in Portland, OR</p>
<p id="IF5o2y"><strong>When:</strong> Saturday, June 1st, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="IhYatZ"><strong>Portland Timbers:</strong> 4-6-2, 10th place in the Western Conference, won 3-1 at <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a></p>
<p id="DE8D1N"><strong>Los Angeles FC:</strong> 10-1-4, 1st place in the Western Conference, won 4-2 vs. <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/6/1/18648747/portland-timbers-vs-los-angeles-fc-how-to-watch-previews-match-chat-7-30William Conwell2019-05-31T18:59:06-07:002019-05-31T18:59:06-07:00Rose City Forecast 13: Portland Timbers vs LAFC
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<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers at Los Angeles FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kJWMk0LoQJ1-QDD55mQYNbIZ6AU=/0x0:3591x2394/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63931439/usa_today_12325117.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="aYajFT">Welcome to another Forecast everyone!</p>
<p id="YL2rpv">Last week was a good week; the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> played their twelfth road game in a row on the other side of the country and brought three points back to Portland. And not only did the win come from a transcontinental trip, it was also against the team at the top of the eastern conference standings. With a brace by new signing Brian Fernandez, PTFC finished their season-opening road trip averaging more than one point per game, a respectable accomplishment by any standard. In addition to Fernandez’s brace, <span>Diego Valeri</span> finished a heck of a shot from outside the box to give Portland three goals on the night while the Union could only find one for a final score of 3-1. </p>
<p id="R9Zb4R">Congratulations to MacVanek for taking the prediction of the week with a very respectable 13-point haul after predicting the score, Fernandez and Picault goals, Valeri and Blanco assists and a low-card game. Nice work! </p>
<div id="aeEkZC"><div data-anthem-component="table:6361632"></div></div>
<p id="4vYGKv">It’s a big week in Portland! The Timbers finally return home for their first match at the freshly renovated Providence Park! And on top of that, their opponent is LAFC, the best team in the league. Through fifteen games, LAFC sit on an astonishing 2.27 ppg, with only one loss all season. But on the bright side, they’re not clearly the best road team in the league. They’re a very good 3-1-3 for 1.42 ppg outside LA, but several other teams are right in that vicinity. In fact, over their past seven road games, your Portland Timbers have earned 1.86 ppg. In addition, LAFC have 12 points from their last six games while the Timbers have 13 points in their last six. So while LAFC are incredible this year; going by recent form they’re actually worse than Portland, especially when accounting for the fact that some of their last six were on the road. All of that is the long way to say that while they’re definitely the best team in MLS, LAFC is hardly invincible, especially on the road. Of course, <span>Carlos Vela</span> has almost as many goals this season as everyone on the Timbers combined, so if the boys in green can’t find a way to contain him, they’re going to struggle to get the win they’re capable of earning. How do you think it goes? Will Providence Park be celebrating Saturday night?</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>
<p id="886NCp"></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18646928/prediction-thread-rose-city-forecast-13-portland-timbers-vs-lafcCR McNeil2019-05-31T18:44:39-07:002019-05-31T18:44:39-07:00We paired the new Providence Park concessions with PTFC players
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AIyf-l2cV1jqCwsCDZ5boUiriGM=/0x0:1620x1080/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63931429/sandwich.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>What if PTFC were food? The <em>Stumptown Footy</em> staff weighs in</p> <p id="Y5Hj6u">Earlier this week, the <em>Stumptown Footy </em>staff got the journalistic opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to try some of the new concessions that will be served up at the remodeled Providence Park. As we sampled the little baby pizza slices and neatly quartered hamburgers, all served up on those disposable square wooden plates people use at weddings now, we thought, “this food reminds us of soccer players! But which ones?”</p>
<p id="EQjH9L">A heated discussion followed. There was slamming of fists and assassination of character. Zach nearly knocked the table over, standing up and leaving in a huff (ok, kidding).</p>
<p id="UkX9hB">Friends, we give you: the definitive 2019 concession-PTFC player pairings.</p>
<p id="69p7w0"><strong>HOTLIPS Pepperoni Pizza: </strong><span>Zarek Valentin</span></p>
<p id="OuRuo4">Solid. Dependable. You know what you are going to get and you are pretty happy that you are getting it. Sometimes really improved by the addition of a little sauce.</p>
<p id="i65Qci">Are we talking about a slice of pizza or are we talking about Zarek, the man who just keeps winning a spot in the Timbers’ starting XI? Either way, I like it.</p>
<p id="5PEgJN"><em>-Will Conwell</em></p>
<p id="OELOL6"><strong>Impossible Burger:</strong> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/255543/meghan-klingenberg">Meghan Klingenberg</a></p>
<p id="11eVey">Kling is vegan, and so is this hamburger (which is delicious, by the way). The only real question is why they’re not calling it the Klingenberger.</p>
<p id="ojDih8"><em>-Katelyn Best</em></p>
<p id="HJ69aK"><strong>Oregon Berry Wine Spritzer:</strong> Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic</p>
<p id="gVH0na">This was my personal favorite item from the tasting—it’s a very refreshing wine cocktail consisting of Underwood rosé with fresh strawberries and club soda. I took one sip and asked, “which PTFC player is the biggest wine mom?”</p>
<p id="F8pxb2">The answer, of course, is Ana Crnogorcevic, the Thorns’ responsible, hard-working, but still very fun parent-figure. Plus, Edie loves her! You don’t need kids to deserve wine with ice cubes in it.</p>
<p id="W9bncW"><em>-Katelyn Best</em></p>
<p id="e636mw"><strong>Western Burger: </strong><span>Bill Tuiloma</span></p>
<p id="7FihBZ">What would stadium menu would be complete without a cheeseburger? And what would a soccer team be without a centerback? Like Bill “Ol’ Bill” Tuiloma, this cheeseburger is a reliable staple of the new Providence Park concessions line. Nothing flashy, but you know what you’re getting, and it always gets the job done.</p>
<p id="2nFRLd"><em>-Zach Kay</em></p>
<p id="HqEK89"><strong>The Tamale Boy Tamale: </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293434/lindsey-horan">Lindsey Horan</a></p>
<p id="mvZ7R6">Without a doubt, the best all-around item on the menu. Tamale Boy have served up an impressively full-featured tamale, an excellent dish that extends beyond its class across categories. The chicken tinga topping pairs well with the cabbage slaw, but the real star of the show is the bean tamale itself underneath. It’s probably the most fundamentally sound tamale in the city, with perfectly crafted masa wrapping up a masterful black bean mash core. The only concern with this entry is how to eat it to effectively maximize its impact.</p>
<p id="AiZ5P0"><em>-Tyler Nguyen</em></p>
<p id="zhH6Rs"><strong>Zenner’s Hot Dog with Bacon:</strong> <span>Lucas Melano</span></p>
<p id="rdQihz">This maybe an unpopular opinion (Lizzy Acker certainly disagrees with me), but I’ve never liked the trend of just slapping bacon on everything. Similarly, this hot dog with bacon didn’t do much except inspire, “Yup, that’s a hot dog with bacon on it.” It’s an unnecessary luxury that ultimately fails to provide the value that you’re expecting.</p>
<p id="hNE6hC"><em>-Zach Kay</em></p>
<p id="XeYP94"><strong>Pulled Pork Sandwich: </strong><span>Sebastian Blanco</span></p>
<p id="wt4Gdl">A very simple dish done luxuriously. Podnah Pit’s pork is a standout player: it’s rich and powerful meat with delicious fatty chunks throughout to give the sandwich plenty of flavor. The delivery (the bread) was a little dry and predictable in our sample, but it shouldn’t detract from what is overall an excellent entry.</p>
<p id="x0aKOI"><em>-Tyler Nguyen</em></p>
<p id="ractRe"><strong>Bacon Queso Nachos:</strong> Brian Fernandez</p>
<p id="JBNKPl">The bacon queso nachos are cheesy as heck, but are ready to put in the hard work for you throughout the match. The chips and cheese are a classic, but the addition of some savory bacon to the mix really elevates this dish to among the best in the stadium.</p>
<p id="uC8Yln">As with any new food item, it remains to be seen what kind of staying power they have throughout the year, but early reactions seem to indicate that these nachos could be a major part of the Providence Park food scene for some time.</p>
<p id="1KiYdl"><em>-Will Conwell</em></p>
<p id="3XaWCI"><strong>Vietnamese noodle salad: </strong>Andy Polo</p>
<p id="0KYHGv">These thin noodles with vegetables and sauce showed a lot of promise. You could see where the dish was trying to go and, at first, believed that it could get there. But by the end of the bowl, you’re left wanting more. More flavor, more substance, more finishing ability in the final third. That said, with some tweaks, this could become a regular on the scoresheet of my credit card statements.</p>
<p id="D6hTRw"><em>-Zach Kay</em></p>
<p id="bReWJu"><strong>Uncle Tony’s Pork Rinds: </strong>Midge Purce</p>
<p id="Qz1a7U">Just a snack? Think again. These specialty pork rinds are a flavorful and sophisticated take on a classic. They’re highly savory with plenty of crunch. That said, these are still, for now, a side dish. By themselves, they’re a bit lightweight; it’s alongside a broader platter that they really shine. With just the right level of salt and some added spice, this crunchy snack makes a compelling case to be a part of everyone’s game-day experience.</p>
<p id="GGmaew"><em>-Tyler Nguyen</em></p>
<p id="zhCEXm"><strong>Breakfast Quesadilla:</strong> <span>Diego Chara</span></p>
<p id="4GMyVA">It’s pretty much exactly what you think it is (bacon, eggs, and cheese), which, it turns out, is pretty awesome—at the end of the day, there’s really nothing else quite like melted cheese in a tortilla. It’s delicious, filling, and compact, it works at any time of day, and supposedly it’s never gotten a second yellow card. It’s worrisome to imagine what would happen if this staple someday disappeared from our plates.</p>
<p id="PMfZUE"><em>-Katelyn Best</em></p>
<p id="ZQPf03"><strong>Philly Quesadilla: </strong><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293438/christine-sinclair">Christine Sinclair</a></p>
<p id="oL3f9L">Like the breakfast quesadilla, there are no surprises here; sound fundamentals paired with classic flavor combine to make a cornerstone of the stadium dining experience. This is the sort of dish that you can rely on to get you through a game, and, as it turns out, pairs up pretty nicely with one of those Oregon berry wine spritzers to attack your hunger.</p>
<p id="oAx9WR"><em>-Will Conwell</em></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645705/we-paired-the-new-providence-park-concessions-with-ptfc-players-timbers-thornsWilliam ConwellTyler NguyenKatelyn BestZach Kay2019-05-31T12:57:59-07:002019-05-31T12:57:59-07:00Everything you need to know about attending the new Providence Park
<figure>
<img alt="MLS: Portland Timbers-Providence Park Tour" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y-6gEySCkRjKo8pC91fKdgHpX_Y=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63930166/usa_today_12661251.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The little logistical stuff you might be wondering about</p> <p id="DqorNC">It’s really happening. After what feels like an eternity away, the new Providence Park is opening this weekend.</p>
<p id="4bkMpL">Here at <em>Stumptown Footy</em>, we’re as excited as you are to experience top level soccer in the new stadium, so we’ve done our best to gather all the information you’ll need for this weekend’s Timbers and Thorns home openers.</p>
<h2 id="T3Mh7h">Starlight Parade</h2>
<p id="MSrHY0">It’s not directly related to the new stadium, but a big logistical point for Saturday night is that the Starlight Run and Parade will be going on at the same time as the match. As such, streets will be closed both downtown and near the stadium, and parking lots near the stadium will be affected as well. The club is encouraging fans to take transit, bike, or walk to the stadium if at all possible. Additionally, plan on arriving early (yes, even earlier than you normally do) to avoid delays.</p>
<p id="W0fszE">One benefit, however, is that any fans who attend <a href="http://www.rosefestival.org/waterfront/city-fair">City Fair</a> after the match on June 1 will get free admission, which is kind of neat. You can get more comprehensive info about the Starlight Parade from the club <a href="https://www.timbers.com/post/2019/05/23/grand-providence-park-re-opening-weekend-everything-you-need-know-you-go">here</a>.</p>
<h2 id="pbWUXj">Gates</h2>
<p id="svWAZq">The first thing you’ll notice is that all of the gates have new names (letters now instead of numbers) and there are additional gates on the east side of the stadium.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eSYMYMl04VwLIC6GT7kpj60UXmg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16307585/ppmap.jpg">
<cite>Courtesy of the Portland Timbers and Thorns</cite>
<figcaption>The new Providence Park Map</figcaption>
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<p id="2ViLb4">Make sure you know which gate is best for you to go through ahead of time to make your line culture experience much more enjoyable.</p>
<h2 id="Tx5NLB">Ticketing</h2>
<p id="s43LtS">With the addition of SeatGeek as the official ticketing partner of the club, <strong>all tickets will now be primarily digital and scanned off your device</strong> at your point of entry. You can read more about that process <a href="https://www.timbers.com/tickets/ticketmarketplace">here</a>.</p>
<h2 id="T5m3Yj">Concessions</h2>
<p id="mBGbh8">Concessions have been overhauled at Providence Park, with the stadium now offering 19 new dining destinations featuring a number of local partners. You can read more about our concessions impressions in our food/player pairing article.</p>
<p id="Lngtkl">Additionally, prices have remained frozen and will be cheap on weeknight games during which “Park Pricing” will be in affect. You can read more about concessions pricing in our <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/1/18525059/ptfc-announces-no-concession-price-increase-and-special-park-pricing-for-weekday-games">news article</a>.</p>
<h2 id="laOGTG">Amenities</h2>
<p id="4GF30e">A number of amenities have either been added or upgraded. First off, ten charging stations have been added to the concourse where you can plug your phone in to get some of that sweet, sweet, battery life. I gave them a look on Wednesday and they have cords for Apple and Android (both micro USB and USB C) devices.</p>
<p id="KQbdKQ">Similarly, drinking fountains and water stations have been added, up to a total of nine in the stadium. More TVs/Displays have been added to the concourse as well, with about 100 new ones for fans to watch while they’re waiting in line for concessions or restrooms. And my favorite little touch is the addition of closed captioning to all PA announcements, which will be visible on the big screen.</p>
<h2 id="DMrSnf">Transit</h2>
<p id="oYOvVQ">A couple changes have been made to the ways fans can get to the stadium. For one, there are now three designated rideshare (Lyft/Uber) pick-up/drop-off points:</p>
<ul>
<li id="rch8jV">On SW Alder St. at the corner of SW Alder and SW 18th Ave. in front of Scrap PDX</li>
<li id="zUUfvS">On SW 21st Ave. near Levine’s Cleaners, heading north towards Burnside</li>
<li id="mL4QuL">On SW Salmon St. heading east next to Lincoln High School near the intersection of 16th Ave. (This location will not be in operation on June 1 due to the Rose Festival Starlight Parade.)</li>
</ul>
<p id="fPbqsI">On TriMet’s side, Bus 24 has been altered to take fans directly to Providence Park from Northeast Portland (<a href="https://trimet.org/schedules/r024.htm">see more route info</a>), and there will be additional MAX service to and from the stadium on match days. <strong>On Saturday</strong>, due to the parade, Bus 15 (Belmont) eastbound will only be picking up at 20th & Burnside post-match, and Bus 20 (Burnside) eastbound will pick up at 20th and 15th.</p>
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<p id="dNge7M"><em>Any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments, or point out if we missed anything you think is important!</em></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645006/everything-you-need-to-know-about-attending-the-new-providence-parkZach Kay2019-05-31T11:58:02-07:002019-05-31T11:58:02-07:00Storylines: Portland Timbers vs Los Angeles Football Club
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<img alt="Portland Timbers v Los Angeles FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nMAyE_1xNeImPRPzZjrt2VTBD1M=/0x0:1671x1114/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63929723/999917678.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There’s no place like home.</p> <h2 id="OjugDm">The Story So Far</h2>
<p id="i8JCu3">On the back of a Brian Fernandez brace, the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> wrapped up their 12 game road odyssey in Philadelphia with a win. The top-in-the-East Union were no match for the Timbers new Designated Player, who now has three goals in two appearances. What a better way to head home is having a 4-1-1 record in their last six. He will now make his debut in front of the Timbers Army on Saturday.</p>
<p id="bOvlke">LAFC comes into Providence Park unbeaten through their last six games (3-0-3) and at the top of the Western Conference six points ahead of city rival <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a>. They recently took out the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> 4-2, and league leading goal scorer <span>Carlos Vela</span> picked up his 15th goal of the year while adding two assists to his tally as the Black and Gold rolled to victory.</p>
<p id="twyKkP">Can the returning road warriors get three points in the newly renovated Providence Park or will the black and gold of <a href="https://www.angelsonparade.com/">Los Angeles Football Club</a> play spoiler on the Timbers’ special night?</p>
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<h2 id="XWjiEP">What To Watch For</h2>
<h4 id="DI9XOR">Los Angeles Football Club (10-1-4, 34 pts)</h4>
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<figcaption>Los Angeles Football Club vs Minnesota United</figcaption>
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</div>
<p id="44yzdw">I’m not sure where to really start when it comes to LAFC. They’re number one in the West, with the best record in Major League Soccer. This team can come at you from all angles, they ran a 4-2-3-1 against Minnesota as you can see - normally they run a 4-3-3 with no true number six. All three midfielders in that formation are encouraged to go forward. <span>Diego Rossi</span>, <span>Latif Blessing</span>, Carlos Vela, and <span>Christian Ramirez</span> form a fear inducing front four. </p>
<p id="lJIxHa">LAFC lead the league in goals scored with 36, which works out to 2.04 goals per 90, and they’ve only allowed 11 goals for 0.73 goals per 90. Former Timbers and current Columbus Crew coach <span>Caleb Porter</span> equated <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/12/caleb-porter-lafc-are-manchester-city-mls">LAFC with Manchester City in the Premier league</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p id="JAAROz">“In my opinion, in watching all the games and all the teams, they’re the Man[chester] City of MLS,” Porter said. “The budget, the talent, the way they play, that’s the best team in the league. And as I’m standing there at 1-0, I’m looking at my team and my feeling was that I was proud of them for how they played, everything they gave.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="lzWa3O">I’m not quite sure I agree with Porter, but they are the best team in the league right now and it’s not even close. <span>Bob Bradley</span> has his team firing on all cylinders and if they keep up their run of form, they’ll stay atop the West for a good portion of the season.</p>
<p id="6EsYZg">Look for LAFC to run a high-line defense, when they lose the ball look for them to counter-press and hunt in packs to get the ball back. This is something they can do all game and the Timbers will need to be aware of this. Through 11 matches so far this season, the LAFC defense is holding teams to 8.29 passes per defensive action. Another way to look at it this, opponents are averaging just over eight passes before a tackle, pressure regain, interception, etc. occurs from LAFC. This is a pretty big improvement over last season where they averaged just over 11 passes per defensive action.</p>
<p id="4H3BKn">LAFC’s average shot total from high-press/counterpress events jumped from 3.62 to 4.45 in 2019. Which has showed they’re winning the ball higher up on the pitch. Here’s a good example of the counterpress working like a well oiled machine against the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a>.</p>
<div id="ERQqri"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5dsmge65NXY?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="amuN57">When LAFC lose the ball at about the 23 second mark their counterpress goes to work. From back to front it’s the team defending that has rocketed LAFC to the top of MLS. It only took a season to sort out what was a big talking point last season concerning their defense. This team is very well rounded.</p>
<p id="br9Rre">The last time these two teams faced each other was at Banc Of California Stadium early on in the road trip, a match the Timbers dropped 4-1. This is the last time these two teams will meet in the 2019 regular season.</p>
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<h4 id="H6USdl">Portland Timbers (4-6-2, 14 pts)</h4>
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<figcaption>Portland Timbers vs Philadelphia Union</figcaption>
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</div>
<p id="7RFmtK">While the diagram to the right has the Timbers in a 4-4-2 diamond, it was pretty fluid throughout the night in Philly, it eventually wound up as a 4-4-1-1. Either way, it worked and the Timbers were able to walk out of Philly as 3-1 victors and collectors of three points.</p>
<p id="Bq3fVE">We can all agree that the addition of Brian Fernandez has been a revelation. Even though he’s only played 115 minutes, he’s on an average of 2.35 goals per game. Obviously that’s not really sustainable - but if he continues on in his current form he’ll be hard to stop. He’s tied <span>Diego Valeri</span> with three goals, <span>Jeremy Ebobisse</span> still leads the Timbers in goals with four, but I have a feeling it won’t be too long before he’s overtaken in goals scored.</p>
<p id="PR0TzF">This is going to be a tough match for the Timbers; of course, I said that for the Philly match and they made it look easy. But I don’t expect <em>easy</em> against this LAFC side, the defense is going to have to be on its toes for this one. Lots of threats in different areas of the pitch. I’m sure we’ll see Jorge Moreira back in the line-up for Jorge Villafana. And I’m going to go out on a limb and say Steve Clark will get the start between the sticks. I’m not sure what’s happened with <span>Jeff Attinella</span>, but Clark seems to be ahead in the competition for the number one spot.</p>
<p id="5nCEII">I’d also expect <span>Sebastian Blanco</span> to be back in the starting eleven after coming off the bench in Philadelphia which was in part to make sure he could play in the home opener, as he’s just one yellow away from suspension for accumulation. Christian Paredes is also now available for selection, though he’s still listed as questionable for Saturday night according to the injury report on mlssoccer.com. </p>
<p id="1fwHcf">One thing to watch for is how the Timbers deal with the press/counter press of LAFC. The Black and Gold rely on short passes, while attacking through the middle of the pitch. They have a 55.1% possession on the season and are extremely comfortable playing the ball in the opposing half of the field.</p>
<p id="jV5mE5">This has all the trappings of a big game, a celebration in re-opening Providence Park, the best team in the league coming to town. A win for the Timbers will draw them closer to the red-line, currently the Timbers are four points out of that last playoff spot. </p>
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<h2 id="MKTsSt">Log Slices</h2>
<p id="GJGIUA">The Timbers will play 17 of their last 22 matches at Providence Park, following their extended road trip to begin the 2019 season. Portland concluded its 2018 home campaign unbeaten in its last seven matches (5-0-2) at Providence Park, including playoffs, while registering five shutouts during that span. The Timbers posted a record of 14-2-5 in all competitions at Providence Park in 2018.</p>
<p id="Rf47oC">Saturday’s match marks the fourth meeting all-time in MLS regular-season play between Portland and LAFC. The Timbers won the first-ever match between the two sides on May 19, 2018, at Providence Park, recording a 2-0 win, while the two teams played to a scoreless draw on July 15, 2018. LAFC won the first meeting in 2019 at Banc of California Stadium on March 10. LAFC is unbeaten in its last seven matches (4-0-3) and enters the week with the best record (10-1-4, 34pts) in MLS. Carlos Vela leads the league in both goals (15) and assists (9) in 2019.</p>
<p id="r0c10s">Referee: Robert Sibiga, Assistant Referees: Frank Anderson, Nick Uranga, 4th Official: Victor Rivas, VAR: Jon Freemon</p>
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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/5/31/18645298/portland-timbers-vs-los-angeles-football-club-brian-fernandez-diego-valeri-carlos-vela-diego-rossiTimm Higgins