USSF Division 2 Playoff Race: Second half of August

Rochester has a tenuous hold on first place, after taking control of the USL conference with 42 points.  The Aztex are just a point behind and have three games in hand, so don't expect this positioning to hold.  Puerto Rico has moved from ninth into a three-way tie with Minnesota and Carolina after picking up eight points in a four game home stretch.  As the season progresses, it is looking like the USL is a stronger conference with all six teams currently qualifying for the eight playoff spots.

How the race currently stands:
#1 Rochester (1st in USL, 42 points, 1.83 ppg)
#2 Vancouver (1st in NASL, 38 points, 1.65 ppg)
#3 Austin (41 points, 2.05 ppg)
#4 Portland (31 points, 1.41 ppg)
#5 (tie) Carolina (28 points, 1.40 ppg)
#5 (tie) Puerto Rico (28 points, 1.33 ppg)
#5 (tie) Minnesota (28 points, 1.17 ppg)
#8 Tampa Bay (26 points, 1.18 ppg)

No team has been eliminated from contention, so here is the rest of the field:
#9 Montreal (25 points, 1.09 ppg)
#10 Baltimore (24 points, 1.09 ppg)
#11 St. Louis (21 points, 0.95 ppg)
#12 Miami (20 points, 0.91 ppg)

Where the Timbers Stand
The Timbers still have one tough road stretch left in their schedule, and just three more games in PGE.  They moved up on Minnesota into sole possession of 4th, and it is becoming more likely that they won't miss the playoffs this season.  They are 10 points behind Austin, their toughest competition for winning the USL, and Austin has two games in hand.  If they can get a win in PGE on the 26th, it could go a long way towards catching the Aztex who have 7 out of 10 remaining matches on the road.

Portland's Remaining Games
@Minnesota (7-10-7)
Austin (12-3-5)
Baltimore (6-10-6)
Puerto Rico (7-7-7)
@Carolina (7-6-7)
@Puerto Rico (7-7-7)
@Baltimore (6-10-6)
@Vancouver (9-3-11)
(W-L-T in parentheses)

Also, check out Soccer By Ives Power Rankings from August 12th.

Timbers Win in St. Louis 1-0

Behind another goal from forward Bright Dike, the Timbers (8-7-7, 31pts) hung-on to a 1-0 1st half lead and ended their 4 match winless streak Saturday night at Anheuser-Busch Park. Portland scored just before halftime, this time in the 41st as Dike received a pass from Keith Savage near the top of the box. With defenders all around him, Dike quickly turned and fired a low shot through traffic, which whipped past St Louis keeper Alec Dufty and into the left corner for a goal. The goal is Dike's 4th of the season and his 2nd score in as many games.

Despite the adventurous conditions of the evening - including muggy conditions and heavy heat, less than ideal lighting of the field, and smoke bombs that often hung on the pitch like a thick fog - the Timbers were able to survive a late 2nd half charge by St. Louis. After controlling most of a ragged and physical 1st half (outshooting St. Louis 10-3), the Timbers settled into a more defensive and conservative mindset. St. Louis took advantage and had many close scoring chances, outshooting the Timbers in the 2nd half 7-3. Portland's defense came up with big plays all night, including a late-game, goal-saving tackle by Ross Smith and a handful of clutch saves by keeper Steve Cronin. Cronin tallied 6 totals saves for the game, and recorded his 8th shutout for the season.

Forward Ibad Muhamadu received his first start of the year in only his 2nd appearance with the team. Ibad lived up to his reputation as a scorer, launching shot after shot in the first half, leading the team with 5 shots total. Any chemistry concerns were muted after Saturday night's performance, as Ibad and Dike combined for 8 shots and were a handful for St. Louis' backline. Although, it remains to be seen how successful the pair can co-exist against tougher, stingier, and more disciplined defenses around the league, their first outing together was certainly promising.

With 8 games left in the season, Portland now finds themselves sitting alone in 4th place and with a bit of breathing room as they attempt to build momentum heading into the playoffs. The team is 3 points ahead of Puerto Rico, Minnesota, and Carolina (who are all tied at 28pts in the overall standings), but trails Austin(who would currently occupy the 3rd seed if the playoffs were to start today) by 10pts in the USL division. The Timbers will now ready themselves for a return match at Minnesota this upcoming Saturday, August 21st @5pm.

== Box Score ==

Away days in St. Louis

Loving St. Louis right now, first pub I step into has brunch with every TV tuned to EPL. Barrister's FTW.


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The Hill in St. Louis

I ate lunch in the Hill today, an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis. The area has an old school feel, and is filled with great places to eat. It did not take long to spot an AC St. Louis scarf.


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Game Preview: On the Road Again, Timbers Head to St. Louis

Portland Timbers

VS

AC St Louis

Saturday, August 14th
7:00 pm @ Anheuser-Busch Park
Online Live @ PortlandTimbers.com/live
Radio on 95.5 The Game

After a series of disappointing efforts, the Portland Timbers (7-7-7, 28 pts) will have no choice but to regroup on the road as they head to Anheuser-Busch Park to take on AC St. Louis, then travel up north for a return match with the Minnesota Stars the following Saturday. Portland had to settle for a draw this past Wednesday at PGE Park in a physical game against the Stars, a match that in many ways has typified the Timber's season - controlling most of the match and outshooting opponents, but a costly mental breakdown or mistake ultimately proves to be the determining factor on the game's outcome. After putting together a 5 match unbeaten streak, the team's best stretch of the season, Portland is now winless in their last 4 games heading into the crucial final third of the schedule with the playoffs on the horizon.

Consistency has been an issue, not only in terms of lack of scoring, but also in the continuity of play on the field. Playing time and rotation has also been inconsistent, as Coach Gavin Wilkinson has tinkered and tried out different players virtually all season in an attempt to find the right solution for the team's problems. With the recent signing of forward Ibad Muhamadu the Timber's hope to increase their offensive fire power, but on the other hand it simply means another player that Coach Wilkinson will have to work into the rotation and find minutes for. Will the Timber's be able to integrate a new player into their system with the playoffs fast approaching? How does this potentially effect chemistry? Offensively, the team needs to find a comfort zone, play with more rhythm and patience in order to control possession and create better scoring chances. Of course, it's not just as simple as it may sound. What do you think?

Timber's fan Doug, summed up the team's offensive woes well in a comment after Wednesday night's draw:

Inevitably this years performance will be compared to last seasons great run of unbeaten games. The difference in my mind is that we played the ball on the ground a lot more last year than this, holding possession longer and looking for the fast break. This year has seemed more about the hopeful high ball, whether it be out of the back line or from the midfield to a break away forward, the chances of keeping possession with a high lofted ball are smaller than with a ball played on the deck. Secondly, we need to support the player with the ball more. Too many times, when our player does corral a loose ball, he's left on his own to battle against 2-3 opposition players, rather than getting support, thus leaving him few options for quality distribution.

As for leaders on the field, the style of play is dictated by the training, and this years team doesn't appear to be coached as well as last years.

At times last night, Minnesota gave us a lesson on possession play. Until we learn to maintain possession and not just hoof every ball forward in the hope that it bounces in our favor, we won't achieve a fraction of last years success.

Defense will also be a concern. Portland has given up 9 goals in their last 5 matches. For a team that is built around its defensive mentality, this is an alarming statistic. To complicate the matter, defender and team captain Ian Joy will be forced to sit out against St Louis due to the red card infraction he received against Minnesota this past Wednesday. Here's where the Timber's depth really comes into play. Somebody will need to step up. Who will it be? Coach Wilkinson has few ways he could go. Veteran Scot Thompson has only made 9 appearances this year and was not on the active roster for the team's last road trip, but his experience makes him the stable choice.

"Scot's a huge part of this team, a great player, and a phenomenal person overall," Said Coach Wilkinson about the longest tenured member of the Timber's roster. "He's a leader through the way that he plays and a leader through the way he organizes."

Coach Wilkinson could go another route, however, instead opting to go with younger talent such as Quavas Kirk, a starter earlier in the season, but has slipped out of the rotation because of injuries and consistent play. Steve Purdy has played well in recent weeks, so don't be surprised if he gets the start. Younger veterans such as Stephen Keel and Ross Smith are other likely options to make the road trip as well.

"(It's a matter of) how many defender's do you want to carry?" Said Wilkinson. "If we're looking to build for next year, (essentially) we're looking at younger players that can have a career in the MLS for the next 7-8 years."

Expansion team AC St. Louis (5-10-6, 21 pts) is currently tied for 10th place in the league and struggling in their attempt to make the playoffs their first year as franchise. Portland will be looking for redemption after being dominated by St. Louis in a 3-0 loss on July 28th, the start of the current 4 game winless streak. Despite their recent struggles, this is a game the Timbers should win. The team needs to build momentum in order to make a deep run in the postseason. With only 9 games left before the playoffs, the time for excuses and explanations are over.

** Paul will be in St. Louis and in attendance for Saturday's match. He'll be writing about his experience as a Timber's fan on the road. He's looking forward to being in Anheuser-Busch Land and I'm looking forward to reading about his adventures. Look for it to be a part of our postgame report this weekend.

Missing: Mandjou Keita

Geoffrey C. Arnold of the Oregonian reports:

Portland forward Mandjou Keita was a no-show for the game. Keita also missed the team's practices Monday and Tuesday. Portland coach Gavin Wilkinson declined to comment about Keita. Keita, the team's leading scorer last season with 11 goals and the league's scoring champion with 29 points, has endured a horrible season this year. He has scored just one goal this season and was benched June 19 in favor of Dike and has played sparingly since the demotion.

It's unfortunate what's happened with Keita this season. Heading into the year, Keita looked to be one of the front-runners to make the jump to the MLS with the team, but now he's barely on the radar. How quickly things can turn from one season to the next in soccer. Keita is clearly a talented player, but often times seemed lackadaisical out on the field this season. After playing 9 games for Salgaocar SC of India after the conclusion of last season, could he be burnt out from playing soccer year round? Maybe he would have benefited from an off-season and some rest.

Either way let's hope Keita's absence turns out to be no big deal. We could use him and the extra depth heading into the playoffs. Plus, it'd be quite the boost if he could return to form.

Nothing to Flip Over - Portland Draws With Minnesota 2-2

Forward Bright Dike celebrates after scoring his 3rd goal of the season.

In front of a sellout crowd of over 15,000 screaming fans, the Timbers (7-7-7, 28pts) battled their way to a 2-2 draw Wednesday night at PGE Park. It's been a newsworthy couple weeks for the team with the signing of forward Ibad Muhamadu and the announcement of their future MLS coach John Spencer. While management prepares for the club's 2011 MLS debut and amid all the growing fan excitement, the Timber's managed to survive their longest road trip of the year, escaping with a 1-1-2 record in 4 matches. So heading into this game, the team was aware of just how crucial tonight's outcome could be towards securing a spot in the playoffs and battling for better positioning in the standings.

With both teams deadlocked at 5th place in the overall table, emotions on the pitch were intense and play on the field was rough and noticeably physical all night. Portland and Minnesota would combine for 36 total fouls, including 3 yellow cards and a red card. The Stars would open up the scoring in the 24th minute, midfielder Ely Allen receiving a cross in the box and knocking in a shot past a stretched out Steve Cronin. However, Portland would keep up the pressure and just before halftime, in the 44th minute, forward Bright Dike would catch a pass from midfielder Ryan Pore off his chest, then bowl through two Minnesota defenders before blasting a shot past goal keeper Joe Warren.

In the 2nd half, Portland would continue their aggressive play, attacking Minnesota's defense and creating dangerous opportunities. The Timbers would take the lead in the 63rd minute, as Pore got in behind the defense on a lobbing lead-pass, eventually leading to a Minnesota foul in the box and a Pore penalty kick. The goal is Pore's league leading 12th of the season.

The celebration would be short-lived. A minute later, defender and team captain Ian Joy would be whistled for a foul on a hard-tackling challenge near midfield - a break-up surely deserving of a yellow card, but perhaps not mean-spirited enough for a red. Regardless, Joy would be booked for a red card and ejected from the match, leaving the Timbers a man down for the remainder of the competition.

"The red card happens in soccer." said defender Stephen Keel. "We're all professional and we're good enough to be able to deal with (being down a man). So we expect to keep up our defense, we expect to keep the score at 2-1, so it's disappointing to not get out of here with 3 points."

"The good thing it's on TV and I'd be surprised if (the referee's) family is still talking to him," Said Coach Gavin Wilkinson. "I think he made a mistake and after he watches the game on television, if he's man enough, he would admit to it."

Despite a valiant and gutsy performance on the field, the man down disadvantage would prove to be too much for the Timbers. Ten minutes later, in the 73rd minute, Minnesota would find their equalizer off a corner kick, as Minnesota midfielder Simone Bracalello flew into the box unmarked, heading a shot into the back of the net.

"Anytime you go down to 10 men everybody has to look each other in the eyes and give everything to the team," said Pore. "And I thought we did, we fought hard, so (the result) wasn't for the lack of work ethic because guys were flying around the field tonight."

"Another frustrating performance," added Pore. "We give up two mistakes and we get punished for them, but that's the nature of the game sometimes. I thought we outplayed them."

Portland would outwork and outshoot the Stars, but ultimately a handful of missteps would determine the game.

"There needs to be a certain level of organization in advance," said Coach Wilkinson. "We need to be proactive instead of reactive to situations."

"We've got to stop making these mistakes at costly times," said Pore. "Like I said we made two mistakes tonight and they only had a few shots on goal all night and they score 2 goals, so if we can find a way to stay mentally in-tune for a full 90 minutes I think we'll be fine."

After the match the team tried to keep things in perspective. Despite the disappointing outcome Portland remains tied for 5th place in the overall standings and still have 9 games left in the regular season to focus on.

"I thought the 2nd half in general, the mindset was good. We came out and put pressure on them," said Keel. "And that was our whole mentality for the game, to get back to our Timber's ways, working hard and not giving up anything."

Added Keel: "From front to back I felt like the energy was good."

"The players legitimately wanted to win (tonight)," Said Coach Wilkinson. "We had a tremendous crowd, we've had a great week of training, and they wanted to take that into the game. I think we showed a lot of spirit."

When pressed to find an explanation for the team's shortcomings and defensive breakdowns, Coach Wilkinson chose to take the high road.

"I'm not gonna criticize the players though, they're good guys and good players," Said Coach Wilkinson. "After we had a player sent off, the players were working extremely hard, maybe there's a level of fatigue that comes into the fold, and that's when you make mistakes. There's no excuses, but I'll defend the guys."

The Timbers are currently on a 4 game winless streak and have allowed two or more goals in three of their last four games. The team heads back onto the road for a match with St. Louis on Saturday and then will travel to Minnesota for a return showdown with the Stars the following weekend.

"We definitely would have liked a better result and gotten 3 points in front of this crowd tonight," Said Keel. "We gotta regroup, and we've got another game on Saturday, so St. Louis is our focus now."

Who Bad?
Timbers new signee Ibad (pronounced E-Bad) Muhamadu saw his first action as a Timber, entering the game late in the 2nd half. Teammates looked for Muhamadu right away, sending long passes over the top of the defense to try and capitalize on their teammate's speedy reputation. However, in limited playing time and with the team already a man down, not much could be assessed from Ibad's performance.

"We just wanted to get him into the fold," said Coach Wilkinson. "It's not enough to pass judgment on him, but still, he did pretty well."

The Timbers hope that Muhamadu will help the spark the team's underachieving offense, giving them a boost as they head down the stretch run. With 8 goals in 18 appearances for FC Dordrecht and a reputation as a scorer, Muhamadu could potentially play for the team next season when they move up to the MLS.

"We want this team to improve," said Pore. "We haven't been able to find the net as much as we can, so we're looking for Ibad to come in and provide some of that."

Asked if fans can expect to see Ibad back on the field soon, Gavin replied: "Absolutely, otherwise we wouldn't have gotten him. We've got nine games left and then the playoffs, so you'll see a lot of him."

What Distractions?
After a historic 2009 season and the Timber's entering this year with the highest of aspirations, it's hard not to look at this season as a mild disappointment thus far. Whether you blame it on bad luck, poor play on the field, or perhaps unfair expectations, it's undeniable that the team is lower in the standings than they should be. With all the hoopla surrounding the team this season and the added pressure from the fans and the management as the team moves towards its MLS debut, the Timbers must balance their on-field play with all the off-field distractions, increased media scrutiny, and more fan and community promotions. In the end, it's all apart of being promoted to the MLS, but could all the extra-curriculars be hurting the product on the field? Have the Timbers been distracted by all the excitement, pressures, and expectations?

"You're always going to have distractions around you when you're a professional," Said Pore. "But its about being a good professional and dealing with it."

"I don't think there's any distraction at all, if anything I think it's a motivation," Said Keel. "We're focused on this season, but to do well going into next season you have to do well here. You can't just lay an egg this year and then expect to go onto bigger and better things next season."

"No distractions whatsoever," Said Coach Wilkinson. "You only label it as a distraction as an excuse. I look at it as a positive and for the organization it's a necessity. Whether there's causalities along the way, its expected and accepted. We're an organization with a bright future and we have to plan for that."

Take Me To Our Leader...
Who would you say is the leader of this team? I think the easy answer is to say Coach Wilkinson is the leader of the team. It's Gavin's team, right? A coach should always provide leadership and direction for their team, that's their job. But it's equally important that a team has a leader on the field, in practice, and in the locker room.

Said Wilkinson when asked about the team's struggles: "We need a little bit of leadership on the field."

So who's the leader? Team captain Ian Joy? Veteran Scot Thompson? Or the team's leading scorer Ryan Pore?

"Gavin's looked at me as this year to be more of leader on this team," Said Pore. "This being my 2nd year on the team and there's a lot of guys who are in their 1st or 2nd year on the team, but I'll take that role and try to run with it. If I have to play defense, I'll play defense, if I have to play goalie, I'll play goalie. I just want to win right now and (everyone on this team) will do whatever it takes."

Pore is a softer spoken guy, certainly not the most vocal or animated personality on the team. If asked to mold an ideal model for a leader, I'm not sure if Pore would be the first guy to pop into your head. Nothing against Pore, but he seems to be more of a lead by example kind of a guy. That being said, there are many different qualities that go into being a good leader and for that matter, many different ways to be an effective leader.

When asked what he sees as being the most important part of being a leader, being more vocal or leading through actions, Pore replied: "A little bit of both. Bringing a work ethic from day one, working hard in practice and never taking a day off. Being a little bit more vocal within the locker room and encouraging the young guys. Just doing everything I remember that the leaders did when I was a rookie and try to learn from those experiences."

So, do the Timber's need a single superstar player to take the reigns of leadership? Or is it better to have a few players assume the leadership role by committee? Do you feel that a lack of leadership has held this team back at all?

== Full Box Score ==

* photo provided by Allison Andrews @ Timber Mill