—by Chris Rifer
Now that’s more like it. On Wednesday night, the Portland Timbers shocked the LA Galaxy, and perhaps themselves, by drubbing the best team in the league in front of a spirited Timbers Army and a national television audience.
The final 3-0 tally was sufficiently lopsided to do the match justice, as the Timbers dominated every phase of the game. The Portland defense, which has proven to be more than a bit dodgy on more than one occasion, was stout. The Timbers strikeforce, which has seemingly disappeared on the pitch at times this season, ran wild through the Galaxy defense. The Timbers midfield, missing its captain and down a man after going back to a 4-4-2, neutered the Galaxy offense.
After a rather blasé first 25 minutes, where the only true chance was a weak Jorge Perlaza left-footed effort, Portland established control by notching two quick, classy goals.
In the 26th minute Mike Chabala played Darlington Nagbe into space toward the left corner flag. Seeing the Galaxy defense stare him down, Nagbe calmly sent the ball against the grain back to a running Chabala, who struck it first time into the net.
Seven minutes later, in the 33rd, Kenny Cooper presented a target on a throw from the left wing and played the ball to Diego Chara at the edge of the box. Chara played a perfectly weighted pass into the only spot on the pitch where Perlaza could get to it. Jorge outran A.J. DeLaGarza to the ball and hit a sliding right footed shot underneath former Timber Josh Saunders and into the net.
The Army would have felt a lot better at intermission if they hadn’t read this book before. This time it ended differently, however.
After being held on the snide in shots for the first half, the Galaxy came out desperate to do something to get back into the match. LA controlled much of the possession, but the Timbers defense kept them to a handful of half chances.
Then, in the 68th minute, Portland inserted the dagger. Sal Zizzo sent a corner to the far post where Eric Brunner was completely unmarked. Unlike his opportunity to make it 3-0 against Toronto, Brunner didn’t send this one off the post. Instead it splashed the net behind a flailing Saunders.
The Galaxy would muster a couple more weak chances, namely a Juninho strike from the top of the box that was smothered by a well-rested Troy Perkins. Finally, barely 20 seconds into stoppage time, the referee blew three long whistles. It was the soccer equivalent of a boxing referee stopping a fight early. The Galaxy were bloodied and dazed. The Timbers had rediscovered themselves.
Match Observations
-
- The move back to 4-4-2 has to be permanent, and I think the pair up front has to be Cooper and Perlaza. The two of them play off of each other nicely. Kenny is always going to be frustrating. He’ll get run down and take clumsy touches. It more than once has made me comment that maybe he should try basketball. But in my more sober moments, I realize that’s just the cost of doing business with him. The benefit is that he is active, holds the ball up extremely well, and, once he gets his swagger back, is one of the best finishers on the team. Most of what he does up front isn’t sexy, but it’s crucial. Importantly, it also fits perfectly with what Jorge Perlaza likes to do. Watch Perlaza’s goal again. Yes, Chara’s ball was perfect. Yes, Perlaza’s strike was clinical. But Cooper had an equal part in it in presenting a target on the throw and deftly playing the ball to Diego.
-
- John Spencer might want to figure out the set piece situation in Jack’s absence. That was cringe-worthy at times. Really only had one passable ball on a set piece. Just so turns out that the Timbers scored on it.
-
- I hate that I am about to write this because I think this person should be ignored. Only then will he go away. But seriously, John Canzano, that was the most interesting storyline that you found last night? “Teenage Girl Really Likes David Beckham.” That, friends, is hard-hitting, cutting-edge journalism—oops, commentary. If you haven’t read it, don’t. I’ll summarize it for you here. Girl, 19 and in college, waits 7 hours to see David Beckham. David Beckham smiles at girl. Girl shrieks. Canzano finds story. John, I’m just going to suggest a few other potential storylines. Timbers Break Out of Funk in Style. Portland Puts on Another Show for National Audience. Beckham Smiles at Teenage Girl, then Gets Owned by Mike Chabala. Colombian Connection Clicking for Portland. Timbers Limit Donovan to Match More Pathetic than Love Life. Just some suggestions. Here is another one: Don’t cover the Timbers. You’re out of your league and it’s pathetic when you try. Kind of like Landon Donovan’s love life.
-
- It will be interesting to see what Spenny does in light of Chara’s suspension if Jewsbury can’t go on Saturday. For my part, I move Darlington into the center in a diamond with Marcelin, put Kalif on the left, and leave Sallie on the right. That’s not your ideal midfield for a road match because it lacks defense, but it would be pretty electric going forward.
-
- Finally, sorry to be a bit less consistent these past couple weeks. Just one more week of craziness, making me, like Jack Jewsbury, questionable for Saturday, then we can get back into our weekly recap routine.
Timbers Grades
Troy Perkins, 5.5 Would have a higher grade, but really didn’t have much to do. His defense played awfully well in front of him. Nothing negative to say. Troy controlled his box well, covered his posts, and was sure handed when the rare ball came his way. Still, didn’t do enough to get a really positive grade.
Mike Chabala, 7 Was matched up with Beckham for a fair amount of the night, and came out with the better end of the battle. I love how he likes to get forward, and has some good quality in doing so. He’s less athletic than Rod, but more quality up front and more reliable in back. Oh yeah, and he scored a really nice goal that he played a huge part in setting up.
David Horst, 6 Had a nice match in back. Both he and Brunner were doing a great job of keeping good structure to the defense. Many times LA looked to get forward and found nothing but organization in the Timbers backline. Your center backs get the lion’s share of credit for that. Still, I’m shocked the Horst for Futty switch has been as quiet as it has.
Eric Brunner, 6.5 Pretty much the same as Horst, except he scored a goal. That always helps the GPA.
Lovel Palmer, 6 Did Landycakes do anything Wednesday night? Nope? Okay, great work Lovel.
Darlington Nagbe, 5.5 Really didn’t have his most active night, but made a huge impact on the match by assisting on Chabala’s goal. When he gets the ball going toward goal, Darlington needs to be a bit more aggressive. Run at guys, Darlington. They can’t handle your pace.
James Marcelin, 5.5 Had a couple typical Marcelin giveaways, but otherwise filled in nicely. His best moments were when he would distribute from the back in the Timbers attack.
Diego Chara, 7.5 With apologies to Chabala, Perlaza, and Brunner, little Diego is your Man of the Match. He was absolutely fantastic in the midfield. He was aggressive and dominated defensively, he had great vision, and the weighting on his passes was brilliant all night long. I just really wish he hadn’t picked up that yellow card that will put him out against San Jose.
Sal Zizzo, 5.5 Was a little anonymous in the first half, but made an impact getting forward in the counterattack in the second half. Was put in a tough spot in having to take a few corners due to the injury to Jewsbury, but delivered a beautiful ball that rewarded him with an assist.
Kenny Cooper, 6 For the most part, see above. Nice assist, held the ball up well, and made good complimentary runs to Perlaza.
Jorge Perlaza, 7 Lights out. Absolutely unstoppable. I’ve been watching him all season, and I was shocked by his pace. Fantastic finish on his goal. If he had been able to hit the ball first time on his left foot he may well have notched another with a second half assist from Cooper.
Kalif, Rod, and Brian, INC. Came on in garbage time and didn’t do anything crazy.
Onward, Rose City!
