Burnley remains unbeaten at home

A 2-1 victory over Birmingham has extended a 4 game unbeaten streak at home. Burnley remains in the ninth spot in the EPL with a 4-4 record for thus season thus far. Video highlights below.

Watch Burnley v Birmingham MotD Highlights in Sports Online | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Timbers Roster for 2010?

For the upcoming 2010 season, the Timbers only have 3 players that are currently under contract. Ryan Pore, Jason Mclaughlin, and Tony Mcmanus were all signed to 2-year deals and will be entering the final year of their contracts. I'm not sure if any of the other players have extensions or options on their contracts. I've heard rumors that Cronin might have an extension, but either way I'm sure Paulson and management will be bringing him back for next season and maybe even for 2011 (maybe as a backup). And of course, Scott Thompson will be in Portland next year - I'm not sure if we could ever get rid of Scotty, even if we actually wanted to. So, who else needs to come back? Or who else would you like to see stay in Portland?

I'd say we need to make sure we keep Keita. I'm thinking he'll have a chance to go to a higher profile league and make bigger money after his successful 2009 season, but hopefully Paulson will be able to pay him. I'd say Knowles, Hayes, Keel are also big keys. We had a solid defense this year, so lets try and keep it that way. But I wouldn't mind seeing a few changes to our midfield and maybe even some small tweaks upfront. A little new blood is always good.

Who do you think is gone for sure? Nimo? Is there anyway Portland can borrow Nimo for a little longer? Taka or Nishi? I think we can use skill players like them, but does it seem likely that both of them will stay in Portland for another year? I'm not so sure. Should Portland try to make improvements or do you not mess with something that's already working?

*** As we get more information on the potential roster changes or new contract details, we'll let you know.

Oh, by the way, Steve Cronin's fiance is smokin' hot. It looks like she's an aspiring actress. Support her and go check out her blog, plus she's really hot, did i mention that?

POSTGAME: A Great Season Ends Too Soon

As the refs blew the final whistle on the Timber's season a heavy silence fell over the 14,283 fans in attendance at PGE Park on Sunday. Some fans quickly shuffled out in disappointment, but many decided to hang around in the stands for a bit longer. They stuck around and watched as the Timbers hung their heads in heartbreak, some players dropping to the ground instantly, the final whistle like a sharp blow to the gut. They watched the players console each other, literally picking each other up from off the field. They watched the Timbers begrudgingly congratulate the winning team for a job well done, the players wandering around the field with dazed and saddened expressions. And then the crowd erupted. They applauded and cheered and gave a standing ovation. They broke out into song. Some had tears in their eyes. The fans were telling the Timbers that they had nothing to feel ashamed about; showing their appreciation for all the team's efforts and accomplishments. And as the players walked by the Timber's army for one last time this year, returning their fan's admiration with heavy faces, it became painfully obvious that nobody in the stadium wanted this special season to end.

"What the hell do I do with myself now?" said Paul Sepp, die-hard Timber's fan and true aficionado of finely made, blue-ribbon winning beer.

"I'll force myself into a drunken hibernation and wake up in April." Elliott Porter babbled, fighting through tears.

"I need to shoot somebody or punch another human being in the face," commented one greenly-clad fan, possibly influenced by the emotional trauma of defeat as well as the pitchers of beer that surrounded him.

The result might not have been ideal, but the game on Sunday was certainly an exciting one. Every fan in attendance should have left PGE feeling like they go their money's worth and then some. Portland and Vancouver battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw, but the Timbers will now watch from home as the Whitecaps will move on to meet Montreal in the USL finals. Dropping the first game 2-1 in Vancouver, the Timbers find themselves as losers in this 2-game aggregate goal format, the overall final score 5-4 in the Whitecaps favor.

A fast-paced and thrilling match, the Timbers poured it on late, getting many close scoring chances, but failing to find the series equalizer. The end of the match was sadly plagued by controversial calls, specifically, on a couple of hand-ball calls. One, a no call on the Whitecaps 3rd goal during the scramble in front of the Timber's box. And two, the hand-ball called on Suzuki, when the correct call should have been a foul or hand-ball on the Vancouver player, either decision resulting in a PK kick for the Timbers.

However, the loss can't be blamed on the officiating. The Whitecaps played a solid match and they're playing some great soccer right now. It's why they've pulled off two upset in the playoffs as the #7 seed and are headed to the finals to defend their championship. Momentum is very important heading into the postseason. And unfortunately, the Whitecaps were building confidence, playing well in their final 10 games, as the Timbers were still struggling to regain their form after the infamous unbeaten streak.

Also, the Timber's defense didn't get it done. Haber wasn't even touched as he slipped by Timber defenders into the box for the Whitecaps first score. For a team that's only allowed 10 goals all year at PGE, it was tough to see them giving up easy scores. Steve Cronin didn't have his best game. A few times during the match he was caught out of position, the "no call" on the Whitecaps 3rd goal would not an even be an issue if he doesn't misjudge the incoming corner kick. Cronin also found himself stuck behind the player-wall on the Caps 2nd score, which apparently blocked his view as Nash blasted a shot past him into the top-right corner.

"This one is going to stay with me for a long time," Cronin said after the match.

Effort has been an issue for this team in their last handful of games, some questioning their intensity and focus as they headed into the postseason. However, for their last match, the Timbers would outwork the Caps, setting the tone with their aggressive play, and even earning a few early yellow cards to send a statement. The chances were there - they outshot Vancouver 15-10 and at times seemed like they were ready to break the match open. In the end, the Whitecap's size and efficiency was just too much to overcome, the Timbers coming up a goal short. Vancouver got everything the Timbers had to give and the team truly left their hearts out on the field. It was a gutty and inspired performance, a showing of team unity, not just for the growing beards on their faces, but from the way they held each other up and fought together. Now that's something that should stay with the fans for a long, long time.

- BOXSCORE -

- Photo credit goes to Brent Wojahn over at Oregonlive.com - check out his gallery it's amazing.

One last drop...

What are your thoughts? How do you feel about the the way the Timber's season ended? Bitter? Frustrated? Hopeful? We'll all have some time to sort through our feelings now that the offseason is upon us. And it's shaping up to be a very interesting winter. Who will be playing for the Timbers next season and for that matter, where will the Timbers be playing in 2010? How will Merrit Paulson and the team's management begin to build a foundation and shape this team as it makes preparations for the MLS in 2011? Check in with Dropping Timber, we'll dig through the shit.

A night of disappointment

It was a good match. In the end, the teams ended up tied, and the Timbers lost the aggregate series.

We'd like to stay off our soap box this time and just hear people's thoughts on the game, the playoffs, the season and the future. You can complain about the refs too and we won't mind.

GAME PREVIEW: A Do or Die Sunday for the Timbers

.

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!

POSTGAME: A Downpour, Timbers Fall to Whitecaps 2-1

Vancouver rained all over Portland's playoff opener, putting in a pair of header-goals to defeat the Timbers 2-1 in the first match of their semi-final series. A supportive crowd of 4,516 endured water soaked conditions at Swangard stadium, but surely left with smiles on their faces as their Whitecaps will take a 1 goal lead into Sunday's game at Portland. The #1 seeded Timbers now face an uphill climb as they'll need multiple goals at PGE to avoid being upset by the postseason's lowest ranked team. The Whitecaps already upset Carolina to get into the semi's, the winner of this round advancing to face the winner of Montreal and Puerto Rico. After such a successful season, one full of milestones, records, and awards, such a brief appearance in the playoffs would certainly feel like a bitter beginning to a chilly fall.

The rain had a big factor on the outcome of the game. Although both teams were forced to slop through the puddles, it seemed to be the Timbers who were bogged down the most, something that we've seen before when the team's been caught in the rain. The Whitecaps struck first, Charles Gbeke receiving a lob pass in the box and blasting a bouncing header at the ground which somehow ricocheted off the top cross bar and into the goal. Gbeke finished the season as the USL's leading goal scorer and lived up to his dangerous billing, later in the 2nd half assisting on the game-winning header by forward Marcus Haber. Portland's only goal of the game came on a PK kick by Ryan Pore, a result of a controversial foul called on Whitecaps defender Lyle Martin minutes before halftime. The Vancouver bench and their faithful would erupt in disapproval, substitute Marco Reda confronting a referee and arguing his way into a red card. Reda will not play a single minute of the series, as he'll be forced to sit out the final match as well.

At times, the Timbers looked as sloppy as the field conditions they played on, failing to keep possession and not able to consistently put pressure on Vancouver's backline. The Timbers were outshot and outworked in both halves - the Whitecaps winning shot attempts 9-6 and earning more fouls 15-7 overall. For most of the match, Vancouver was the sharper squad and might of scored a couple more times if not for some invaluable saves by keeper Steve Cronin. The effects of a long layoff were apparent for Portland, players looking rusty and ineffective. Keita, specifically, getting locked down and not able to break loose for any threatening runs. Taka Suzuki and Jason Mclaughlin subbed in for the last ten minutes or so, however, perhaps the Timbers could have used their fresh legs and energy earlier in the match. We'll see if Coach Wilkinson is willing to reach into his bench more often on Sunday. Ironically, Marlon James was used very effectively in a back-up role for Vancouver, literally giving them a large threat on offense late in the match. If depth is one of Portland's strenghs shouldn't they use it? Or is it proper tradition to trim down the rotation for the playoffs?

Vancouver has proved once again that they're a team that shouldn't be taken lightly. Throughout the year they've given up their share of goals, but have shown the ability to tighten things up and clamp down on defense when it matters most. On the brightside, essentially all the Whitecaps did was hold serve. Vancouver's a much better team at home than on the road, plus Portland does own the season series 2-1 with the Whitecaps lone victory coming at Swangard Stadium. The Timbers will have to force the issue, perhaps the trick finding that balance between aggression and efficient play if they hope to comeback and win the series. They'll also need to score goals, possibly a few of them. Either way it should be a packed-house and a riotous atmosphere at PGE Park this Sunday, as eager fans will finally get to see their first playoff action of the year.........with the entire season on the line. No biggie.

One last drop:



Charles Gbeke - Greg Oden's long lost brother?




Click here 4 - BOXSCORE -
Also, check out these awesome photos over at SoccerCity

Live Updates: Puerto Rico @ Montreal

Live Game Post
Puerto Rico Islanders
vs.
Montreal Impact

@ Saputo Stadium (Montreal)
4:30 pm PST

Watch it online at USLLive.com


Updates:
Currently 43 degrees and cloudy, with a chance of showers over the next couple hours.


And we're off

Montreal Goal, #14 Tony Donatelli

Montreal up 2-0 just 20 minutes in after a goal by Brown.

Steele brings PR within a goal at 31 minutes. 2-1 Montreal at halftime.

FINAL SCORE: Montreal 2 Puerto Rico 1