GAME PREVIEW: A Do or Die Sunday for the Timbers

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2009 USL Playoffs

Semi-Final Round

Portland Timbers

VS

Vancouver Whitecaps

4:00pm @ PGE Park

Sunday, October 4th

Live on Fox Soccer Channel or

Watch on USLlive.com

It's all on the line this Sunday for the Portland Timbers. After losing the first match on Thursday 2-1 in this 2-game semi-final series, the team now faces a must win situation, as they'll head into the match already down a goal with the aggregate scoring format. For the # 1 seeded team in the playoffs, their historic 24 match unbeaten streak and their Commissioner's Cup victory will be soured or perhaps minimalized if they don't have some significant success this postseason. The Timbers must carry the weight of these expectation with them, as well as the ghosts of past playoff failures as they prepare for what could be their last home-stand at PGE Park. A couple things on their side? The Whitecaps haven't scored a goal all season at PGE and the stands should be packed to the brim with boisterous fans.

Forced to play up in the rain at Vancouver, the Timbers seemed off their games, never finding any real rhythm. Maybe they all caught colds heading up north. Either way their effort probably made Coach Wilkinson a bit ill. Portland was plagued by turnovers and sloppy play, seemingly a step slow as they slopped around on the pitch. Poor defense was another symptom. The prime example being the Caps' 2nd goal of the match - Gbeke moving in towards the box, the defense casually marking up, allowing him to loft a perfect ball to Haber on the far post for a goal. Tighter defense and more intensity is a must. Will we possibly see Danso get more action because of his size and defending capabilities? Or will Wilkinson again opt for more experience and offensive, giving Nishi the playing time?

One consistent fact in soccer is that most games are won in the midfield. Keita and Josten never had consistent chances to threaten Nolly at the goal, but a large part of that blame can be placed on the shoudlers of our midfielders who couldn't get them the ball. Pore wasn't able to break free or create for his teammates. Mcmanus couldn't impose his will on the game either, his aggression and tenacity kept in check by Vancouver's defense. And Taka didn't play enough to have an effect on the game. But for the most part, the Whitecaps simply outworked the Timbers. Vancouver committed twice as many fouls Thursday, only evidence of their more determined and dogged play. They took better and more shots on goal, while Portland was held to a measly 2 attempts in the 2nd half. Gbeke, Hirano, Steve Nash's little brother, and others seemed free to roam and find their way into dangerous open spaces. Portland will have to control possession and be the ones being chased down and not the ones doing the chasing.

Goals, goals, and more goals. Portland could use a few. Although the Timbers have had a lot of success scoring at home (27 gf), they've had some recent scoring woes. They'll probably need 2-3 goals on Sunday to ensure a victory and with an average of 1.8 goals a game at PGE, they'll certainly have a fighting chance.

Recent issues have arisen concerning playing time, depth, and the Timber's rotation. All year Wilkinson has tinkered with the rotation, sometimes forced by injuries, but other times trying to find chemistry. Still, the question needs to be asked - with all the different lineups and changes in playing time, have the players had trouble finding consistency? Can depth backfire or become a detriment in some ways? Regardless, it's indisputable that the Timbers have looked rusty and maybe even a bit worn down. Here's another possibility - after carrying around all the building expectations and burdens that comes with the unbeaten streak, did this team simply burnout? It's been a season full of very big highs and some sad lows (Knowles injury), an emotional roller coaster of a year. Although it's been a fun ride, it's also been an exhausting trip in some regards. We'll see how much everyone has left in the tank on Sunday. It's win or go fishing.

Note: In the aggregate scoring system, the scores of the 2 games are totaled as one overall score. So, the Timbers head into this Sunday's game down 2-1 on the scoreboard already. If they outscore the Caps by more than a goal, they win and advance to the finals. If they win by only 1 goal, then the overall series score will be tied and there will be two periods of overtime play. If the teams are still tied after overtime, then the game will be decided on PK kicks.

One last Drop:
Kickoff @ 4:00pm at PGE Park
Be there! It could be your last chance to watch the Timbers this year!