GAME PREVIEW: The Final Game Before the Playoffs

Portland Timbers

Vs.

Cleveland City Stars

Thirsty Thursday @ PGE Park
September 17th, 7:00PM

LIVE on FSN

Cheers! It's been an amazing season for the Portland Timbers and the timing could not be better. For a franchise that's scheduled to be promoted to the MLS soon, it's been a year full of unforgettable moments, thrilling victories, and historic achievements. The unbeaten streak. The Commisioner's Cup. A renewed rivalry with Seattle. The team's loyal fanbase is growing larger and more enthusiastic each year, couple that with a new stadium and added local media coverage, and it would seem that soccer is about to make a big splash in the City of Roses. After a rocky start, to say the least, things are starting to take off and the MLS will indeed find a welcoming crowd in Portland.

However, things on the field aren't going quite as well at the moment. The Timbers did start another streak after going 24 unbeaten, but it was the wrong kind. Currently in the midst of a 2 game losing streak and having lost 3 of their last 4; Portland will try and right the ship against Cleveland tommorrow night, the club's final game of the regular season. Despite controlling possession and attempting more shots during the match, the Timbers lost to the last-place Stars 1-0 on Sunday, a meaningless, but still dissapointing outcome. The Timbers will have to be more effecient on offense and be more patient as well, waiting to get quality shots on target. If the Timbers didn't learn their lesson this weekend they better - this Cleveland team isn't one you can just overlook. They're young, hungry, and full of players looking to prove themselves to anyone who's willing to watch.

Although the outcome of this game remains inconsequential to the standings, the Timbers need to be playing their best soccer heading into the postseason. I'd expect Coach Wilkinson to play most of his starters and core rotation players tommrrow night. With a couple weeks before the playoffs begin and Portland waiting even longer becuase of their 1st round bye, finding time in between to rest legs shouldn't be a problem. Getting back onto the right track should be this team's priority, as the last thing they'd want are confidence issue to creep up this late in the year. Aggression, intensity, and defense have been the calling cards of this team all year, but have they lost their focus? But perhaps more importantly, if they have, can they get it back before it's too late?