—by Chris Rifer

If you have a history of heart problems in the family, it’s not a bad idea to consult your cardiologist before becoming a Timbers supporter. On Sunday night the Portland Timbers again left their faithful picking up the pieces. Once again the Timbers took a positive result into second half stoppage time. Once again they fumbled the match away after the clock had struck ninety.

The match started ominously. In the fourth minute Thierry Henry sent a pretty one-touch pass to a dubiously onside Dwayne DeRosario streaking down the left side. DeRo played a pass into the top of the box where an unmarked Austin da Luz fired past an observant Timbers defense and a helpless Troy Perkins.

As the half wore on, The Timbers calmed things down with a bit of old-fashioned offensive conservatism. Portland focused on maintaining possession, and the Timbers were successful largely without objection from New York. The Red Bulls had a few more, but chances for both sides were few and far between as the match turned into a bit of a midfield slog.

That wouldn’t last. In the 48^th minute, after an indifferent clearance by Red Bulls defender Jan Gunnar Solli, Jack Jewsbury blasted a low shot from outside the box into the back of the net.

A minute later, Portland was at it again. Jewsbury played a free kick from the left wing to Eric Brunner at the far post. Brunner deftly nodded the ball down to Kevin Goldthwaite who clipped the ball with the back of his heel past Greg Sutton. The Timbers hadn’t scored a goal in two and a half games. Then they scored two in less than two and a half minutes.

The rout looked to be on in the 56^th minute when Jewsbury played another free kick into the box, this time from the right wing. Brunner got a head on the ball, which sailed over Sutton and seemed destined for goal until Teemu Tainio bicycled the ball off the line.

In the 68^th minute Portland appeared to put the match on ice as Jorge Perlaza’s cross was generously redirected by former Timber Stephen Keel for an own goal. The Timbers were up 3-1 and had complete control.

Thierry Henry wasn’t done, though. In the 73^rd minute Henry bent the Timbers defense out of shape with a clever bit of passing and an aggressive run, got the ball back, and smashed it past Troy Perkins.

The drama continued three minutes later, as Jorge Perlaza again found himself with the ball at his feet on the break. This time Sutton came out to meet him, but instead of making contact with ball, Sutton only hit Perlaza’s shin guard. On the ensuing penalty, Jewsbury stepped to the ball with an opportunity to put the game firmly back into the Timbers’ possession, but only found post.

After a dizzying first 30 minutes to the second half, the game finally settled into a bit of a rhythm. New York found an occasional opportunity, but didn’t seem to have the will to create anything too dangerous.

After Henry was mysteriously sent off three minutes into stoppage time it seemed that Portland had sealed the win. One last Timbers turnover, however, sprung New York onto one last desperate breakaway. A long ball sent forward found Goldthwaite with a little bit of space behind him. Goldthwaite’s clearance, however, only made it as far as DeRosario. DeRo’s hopeful cross into the box was knocked down by Rodney Wallace’s outstretched arm, forcing the referee to signal for a penalty. Given the opportunity to steal a point, the Canadian international wasted little time, striking the penalty just past the outstretched arm of Perkins and into the net.

The result was a devastating tie—the most deflating result in a string of four matches that have seen three heartbreakers. For the second match in a row Portland showed extended periods of brilliance but couldn’t turn that into a well-earned three points.

Match Observations

• This had nothing to do with the referee. I thought the referee was actually pretty good—even if a little bit card-happy in the second half. The handball was blatant and substantially affected the play. It had to be called. That’s Rod’s fault, not the referee’s.
• I think the penalty kick contest needs to become a weekly thing. The Timbers have taken four penalties this year, and made one. That’s not bad. It’s awful. I think the Timbers are trying to be a bit too cute, trying to hit particular spots instead of just choosing a direction and putting the ball on frame with pace. If you do that—regardless of what the keeper does—you’re going to make the vast majority of your penalties. If you miss it’s because the keeper made a great save. You can live with that once in a while.
• The lack of cohesion in back is really obvious right now. I think this is largely due to key absences in the backline. The defense, more than any other unit, relies on communication and awareness of your teammates. Such cohesion is really difficult to have when guys are in and out of the lineup. The last time we had the same starting back four in two consecutive matches? Columbus and D.C. United. Okay, maybe the second of those games isn’t the best example, but you get the point.

Timbers Grades

Troy Perkins, 5 None of the goals were really his fault, but if Troy comes up with some of his magic at some point in the match we’re all in a better mood right now.

Rodney Wallace, 2.5 Okay, Chris, keep your cool. Stay calm. Take a deep breath. WHAT IN THE NAME OF BOB BARKER IS WRONG WITH YOU, ROD?! WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU ARE TAUGHT IN KICK AND CHASE?! DEFENDING A COUNTERATTACK IS LIKE GOING ON A ROLLERCOASTER – KEEP YOUR HANDS AND ARMS INSIDE YOUR BODY AT ALL TIMES! AT ALL TIMES! ESPECAILLY WHEN YOU’RE NURSING A ONE-GOAL LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME! HOWARD DEAN SCREAM! I think I handled that well.

David Horst, 5 Had a couple moments when he wasn’t communicating very well with the midfield in front of him, but on the whole didn’t play poorly. It is telling that the defense was much better when he was on the pitch.

Eric Brunner, 5.5 He gets a good share of the credit for Goldie’s goal for playing a really nice header into the box. That said, he was largely culpable for New York’s second goal—as his marking on Henry there was less than inspired.

Jeremy Hall, 5 Was the only back that really wasn’t on the culpable end of any of New York’s goals, which is an accomplishment I guess. Unfortunately didn’t create that much coming forward, either. Overall a decent, if unspectacular outing.

Darlington Nagbe, 5 Had the quietest day of anybody in the midfield. Had a couple nice runs into the interior, but struggled to create anything truly dangerous.

Diego Chara, 4.5 Hung back a bit more than usual, but for good reason. Jack was awesome in front of him. Diego was exposed on defense a couple times, namely on the first goal where he should have cut out the cross.

Jack Jewsbury, 6.5 A goal, an assist, and a number of other nice plays. The second half was the most we have seen Jewsbury get forward since the arrival of Diego and, I have to admit, I liked what I saw. Beautiful strike from distance. And yes, I docked him a point for missing the penalty.

Kalif Alhassan, 5.5 Had another pretty nice night on the right side. I think that is his new home. Did a good job of creating a bit, and linked up with the forwards well.

Jorge Perlaza, 6 I had a really hard time with this grade. He creates chances so well…and so far has finished them so poorly. There were extended periods of the second half when he was running wild in the Red Bulls defense. I will say this, if he ever finds his finishing touch—which I think probably just requires a bit more willingness to take a crack on goal—he will be a Best XI quality striker. Point is, Jorge, you’re a striker. Be selfish.

Kenny Cooper, 5.5 He must lead the league in nullified goals. I can count four. One against Chicago, two against D.C., and one on Sunday. Did I miss any? Aside from the rightly nullified goal, Kenny had a nice game in getting the ball at his feet and making something happen with it. There has been a fair amount to complain about with Kenny this year, but I don’t think his performance on Sunday is in that category.

Kevin Goldthwaite, 5 This is another one that is tough. Before the game I mentioned to those that I was at the game with that Portland is one defensive heartbeat away from Kevin Goldthwaite seeing the pitch. And then David Horst got taken out by Sutton in the box. But then Goldie scored the best goal a Timber has converted to date with a clever back heel. I was mocked. And then Goldie pulled a Goldie and failed to clear what should have been a routine ball at the end of stoppage time. I was vindicated. I hope either Horst’s head or Futty’s shoulder improve in short order. The goal— while nice—was a fluke. The defensive miscue, as we know all too well, was not.

Sal Zizzo, 5.5 I thought Sallie looked decent on the right side in relief of Darlington. He didn’t have a ton of opportunities, but when he did he was making the right passes.

Adam Moffat, INC The box score tells me he played. I’m not convinced.

Onward, Rose City!