Keeping It Clean

More positive momentum despite the most boring of scorelines.

*Cover photo credit to Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Timbers.*

For the second time in a row, the Portland Timbers kept a clean sheet on the road. Unfortunately, they didn’t score a goal. However, in this instance, a 0-0 draw is a good result.

Recap

Chances were few and far between for both teams in this game, but Austin started out with two big ones within the first 3 minutes. Both ended with off-target shots and goalkicks. Portland’s best chance of the half came in the 41st minute when a slip pass from Santiago Moreno found Felipe Mora on the right side of the box. Unfortunately, an on-rushing Brad Stuver smothered the shot and kept the match knotted at 0.

The second half saw more of the same, but Moreno and Juan Mosquera each tested Stuver in the 51st minute. Austin, meanwhile, didn’t register their first shot of the second half until the 70th minute when Oleksandr Svatok’s header from a corner kick rose over the bar. The last 15-20 minutes of this game saw a desperate Austin team try everything in their power to score a goal. One late chance in the 84th minute resulted in Myrto Uzuni sending a low shot from the center of the box wide left. With the last kick of the game, Kamal Miller’s header from an Ariel Lassiter corner kick delivery was expertly punched away by Stuver to preserve the result.

A Horseshoe of Death?

This game is an “anti-overreaction” match. There aren’t any major on-field takeaways because Austin plays such a unique style of pure cowardice. If I had one thing to pick on, it would probably be Portland’s lack of speed during counterattacking situations. A couple of quicker decisions probably would’ve resulted in a goal. However, Austin’s entire philosophy is built on denying any sort of rhythm for their opponents. The Timbers had a lot of the ball and dominated the field tilt metric (percentage of attacking third touches). But their crosses were easily cleared, and there wasn’t a ton of space to attack centrally.

The “horseshoe of death” is illustrated by the graphic above (courtesy of @mlsstat.bsky.social). It describes a final third pass map in which most of the passes occur outside the box. The Timbers certainly horseshoe’d in Austin, but that’s what was expected. They had to take advantage of dead balls and transition moments. That didn’t happen. But it can be excused when their opponent is defending like they don’t want to attack.

Player Ratings

James Pantemis: 7.5

To repeat an ongoing theme, he saved the shots that he needed to save. I almost gave him an 8, but a very poor hospital pass to David Ayala in the 25th minute nearly gave Austin the lead if it wasn’t for Ayala’s elite tackle on a wide-open Myrto Uzuni. A completely needless mistake, but it went unpunished. 7.5 seems about right. His 80th minute save was the toughest action he had to make during the entire match.

Juan Mosquera: 6.5

His defensive contributions were fine, sure, but poor crossing in the final third led to the Timbers getting shut out for the second time this year. Completing none of his 4 attempted crosses is almost unacceptable. He rarely plays first-time crosses, often choosing to take a touch and allowing defenders to recover in time to block them. Those crosses needed to get hit immediately today.

Finn Surman: 8.5

Kiwi CB1 had another excellent defensive shift, which is becoming his norm. However, I’m going to pick out one play that I hope the coaching staff makes him watch on repeat this week.

More of these long balls. I want a billion of them. That is all.

Kamal Miller: 8.5

Miller loves to play those long balls, and I think they’re going to be keys to victory in future road games. Specifically how the advanced players are able to win the second balls that they create. He had another shaky start, but quickly recovered. It feels really good to have an entrenched first-choice center back pairing.

Jimer Fory: 6.5

Yes, his yellow card was nonsense, but it was a booking nonetheless. I think he actually had trouble with a defensive assignment for the first time this season. Osman Bukari was giving him some fits on the wing. But he will miss next week’s match after becoming the first player in the league to receive a yellow card suspension. Was it warranted when taking a look at the full picture? Probably not, but it is a wake-up call.

David Ayala: 8.5

These performances are becoming routine for him, aren't they? He won all three of his attempted tackles, made 4 recoveries, completed 3 out of 5 attempted long balls, and made 2 dribbles. But why isn't this number higher? Well, in the second half, his play dropped a level. Rather than being proactive, he was reacting. Not to mention a couple misplaced passes and bad first touches that could've led to chances. He's the only undroppable member of Portland's midfield, and he plays like it week after week.

Joao Ortiz: 8

I figured that his injury wasn't too serious, but I felt something in the pit of my stomach when Ortiz exited the game in the 58th minute. Prior to leaving, he was having his best performance in a Timbers shirt. This is the player that the Timbers knew they were getting from Independiente del Valle. He drew 3 fouls, completed 93% of his passes (41/44, including two long balls) and played with the confidence and courage that Phil Neville wants. For example: in the 49th minute he sprung a counter by carrying the ball into the middle third and finding Da Costa. And he's only going to get more and more comfortable with his teammates and in Neville's system.

Santiago Moreno: 5.5

Today was another textbook example of hero-ball Santi. Technical brilliance doesn't matter if the wrong decisions are being made. I can't think of a match-costing decision he made in this game, but he was consistently slow around the box. Those precious seconds gave Austin defenders just enough time to make a play on any entry ball off of his foot. It's still an issue for him, but it's more of a mental problem than physical. And it usually manifests away from home. Just gotta keep working on it.

Antony: 5.5

Portland's top scorer did not add to his tally tonight. It was a poor outing for the Brazilian, who lost 8 duels and only completed 1 of 3 dribbles. However, he was willing to shoot from distance, so I'll give him that.

Most importantly, he got a yellow card for persistent infringement. I do not care that a Timbers player was on the other side of the call. He was booked two minutes after Fory after committing his third foul. That's how it should be done. The actual foul was soft, but it was a foul nonetheless.

David Da Costa: 6

Portuguese Dave also received a yellow card, but his was for dissent. I thought that tonight's game was the perfect opportunity for him to grab a match by the scruff of the neck. He did not do that. One stat stands out: 0/8 accurate crosses. This includes corner kicks. Speaking of corners…..

After two years of watching Evander send balls directly into the box from the corner flag (and attempting olimpicos), Neville and the coaching staff have been opting for short corners to begin the season. I do not have a problem with the concept of a short corner. However, they need to be implemented correctly. The short corner is comparable to play action. It is most effective after the run is established. In this case, the run is equivalent to a normal (direct) corner kick. Send a player short to pull a defender out of the box. But only pull the trigger on the short corner after going direct a couple of times.

Meanwhile, Da Costa continued his excellent ball progression, but struggled to find the final pass. No panic button needs to be pressed. He needs more time to build chemistry. I'd also like to see more of a killer instinct from him. Simple as that.

Felipe Mora: 6

The Chilean was limited to two touches in Austin’s box. One of those was his 41st-minute chance that got smothered instantly by Stuver. However, that's half the amount he managed last weekend against Houston. The Timbers simply didn't counter effectively so Mora was starved for something to do. This game called for Kevin Kelsy, so Mora made his exit in the 74th minute.

Kevin Kelsy: 5.5

Two things can be true: Kelsy had a poor performance and he probably should've entered the game a bit earlier. All of the crosses (which were part of the game plan, per David Ayala in the post-game presser) would have been more successful with Kelsy on the pitch. However, like a fair amount of Timbers players, he has a serious problem with his first touch. The Venezuelan striker was always going to be a project. That was obvious last year at Cincinnati, but his upside made it more than worth it to take a splash on him. He's not going to be perfect at every outing. He certainly wasn't tonight. But he did show the effort even if the technical skill wasn't there. Unfortunately, the team needed his technical ability tonight.

Diego Chara: 6

I have a bit of a hot take here: I don't think super-sub Chara is the right move. Sure, being able to bring a player of his caliber off the bench is a huge positive, but it works better in theory than in practice. Today was the captain's birthday, and it took him a while to adapt to the speed of the game. Although his passing was excellent, his defending was lacking; often being a step behind the play. Happy 39th birthday to the Godfather.

Cristhian Paredes: 5.5

Paredes falls into the same boat as Chara. Portland's midfield became a lot less effective once Ayala and Ortiz were off the pitch. I've previously labeled the Paraguayan as "The Closer," but tonight was almost a blown save. He offered very little going forward and in defense.

Eric Miller: 7

This was a good substitution from Neville. Despite only being on the pitch for about 10 minutes, the veteran fullback made 2 clearances, 2 recoveries, and played 3 passes into the final third (including an interception-turned-through ball). Another solid shift from Miller, who is as dependable as they come.

Ariel Lassiter: 7

The Costa Rican's cameo impressed me even though he only completed one pass. However, that pass was a perfect corner kick delivery right to Kamal Miller's head. I've seen Lassiter take corners in training, and they're usually pretty good. Having him available as a left-footed set piece taker is a pretty nice positive. He gets a 7 for the quality of that service. It would have resulted in an assist if Stuver didn't make an equally good save on Miller's header. Well done.

Table Time

I think that only one of tonight’s squads will be very angry about the result. Austin had the chance to keep pace with Vancouver and San Diego, but were shut out at home. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps easily dispatched the Rapids to stay on top of the West. San Diego did the Lord’s work and embarrassed the Seattle Sounders 3-0 in a game that was over by halftime. The Timbers don’t play San Diego until late August. Minnesota (the actual best team in the West) and San Jose (just quakin’ it up over there) play today. I think both of them will win, so the Timbers will probably end the weekend in 5th place. That’s good! Portland’s next game is a Sunday matinee in Kansas City, who just won their first game since September 18th. They did so by beating St. Louis, their local (not in-state, that distinction is very important) rivals. Good for them. Like I said last week, the Western Conference just loves to eat themselves. More of that took place this weekend. Good job staying on brand, Western Conference.

Final Whistle

Some games deserve a lot of words. This game did not need that many. But some big-picture takeaways are definitely needed.

In a change of pace, I’d like to talk about Portland’s opponent for a moment. Austin FC fans have kind of grown on me. I know, I’m ashamed to admit it, but I think that they’re a pretty good representation (on the surface, lots of water-throwing and political infighting going on down there) of what soccer can do in this country. The Verde-and-Black are the only professional sports team located in the capital of Texas, and they’re supported pretty well. I don’t like the process that led to Austin getting a MLS team, but their fans cannot be held accountable for that sin. It’s not their fault. And I’m going to stick my neck out here: they deserve better.

That sounds insane considering they are third in the West and have had a strong start to the new season. But I’m here to appeal to the wider range of humanity. All around the world, it is becoming increasingly expensive to attend sporting events. The cost of concessions, parking (in areas that are not serviced by the wonderful partnership between TriMet and the Portland Timbers) and even the tickets themselves have been woefully inflated. In addition to the financial outlay to attend such an event, I can’t even get a paper ticket stub anymore. That’s nonsense. But back to the main point. Today I learned just how expensive it is to attend a single match at Q2 Stadium.

Your match ticket will probably set you back 40 bucks. On the surface, that’s semi-reasonable for a MLS match. Especially considering that Q2 is only four years old and has all the amenities of a modern stadium, including seats with excellent sight-lines. However, the biggest expense isn’t your ticket. It’s the parking.

We Are Austin TV does great work as an independent media outlet. They aren’t the only ones who are independently covering Austin FC (Phil West is another excellent reporter/writer). But they also provide a Twitter space for their fans to either celebrate or bemoan their team after games. I joined that space after tonight’s game (skip to minute 54 if you have 8 free minutes or for some reason enjoy hearing my voice) and gave my thoughts on tonight’s match from a Portland perspective. I really didn’t have anything to say about the Timbers. They’re not the correct audience to crow about the continued exploits of Finn Surman or a quality start from Joao Ortiz. I decided to empathize with their current predicament. Because they are in a tough situation.

According to We Are Austin TV, parking at Q2 Stadium ranges from around 40 to 80 dollars (unless you know a spot/guy). If you average that out to $60, you’ve already spent $100 on going to a game (not counting gas or other travel expenses, only parking). And that’s not even counting the money you will spend at the concession stand. Two beers and two entrees, per WAATV, is another 70 dollar bill. ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY DOLLARS TO WATCH ONE GAME AND BE PROPERLY FED AND BOOZED AT Q2 STADIUM. With such high prices, you’d expect to be entertained.

Instead, as an Austin FC fan, you’re going to be treated to a cowardly brand of soccer from your own team in your own stadium. You were so excited over the winter when two new attackers arrived for a combined fee of $22 million to join with your other high-priced attacker that your team bought in the previous summer. Now it’s 7 games into the new season, and the results are pretty good. But you want more. You crave the idiotic light show that is somehow a part of your “culture” and “fan experience.” That light show doesn’t happen unless goals are scored. You have earned the right for your soccer team to potentially induce a seizure and headaches, and you’re pissed that it just won’t happen. You wanted brain damage, but you’re getting the wrong kind. And it bugs you beyond belief because your own team is too cowardly to give you brain damage.

In 2025, Austin FC is a beacon of health. They are no longer inflicting their own supporters with their unnecessary light shows that everyone hates (except them). They’re allowing fans of all ages to tune into their games (often scheduled during standalone windows) and catch up on some sleep. Does this new health initiative surprise you? It really shouldn’t. There’s a goddamn BROCCOLI on their crest, for God’s sake. It’s been staring you right in the face the entire time.

Like the modern healthcare system, Austin FC is charging exorbitant prices for basic needs. But they are also hell-bent on ensuring that their paying customers are a picture of good health. No wonder this new health initiative is so unpopular with their current fans. They are Texans first and foremost. If they want to engage in unhealthy activities, by golly they’re gonna do it. Unless their favorite sports team says otherwise. Magnificent work.

Portland’s big takeaway is much less interesting, but it’s far more important. Tonight, in their seventh game of 2025, they recorded their third clean sheet of the season. In 2024, it took them TWENTY games to register 3 clean sheets. They have only conceded one goal in their past three matches. That goal came from a set piece, and it was due to an exceptional delivery from Jack McGlynn. It was also the only goal that they have conceded from a set piece in their first 7 games of 2025. The Timbers woke up on Sunday morning in 5th place, and their defense is the biggest reason why. There is a tangible consistency to their play. It isn’t a fluke in the slightest.

And yet there are people (both inside and outside the Timbers fandom) who continue to question the validity of this team. When they do, they often point towards the attack. This isn’t 2024 anymore. The attack isn’t the big story anymore. This team does not deserve to be held to the same standards that their 2024 edition was held to. They have now begun a 4-match unbeaten streak, which is almost unheard of for this team in the early months of the season. They have allowed 2 goals in those 4 games. Phil Neville assessed the strengths of both squads as similar to each other in the post-game presser. They’re solid defensively and good on the counter. That’s true. But one of these teams didn’t attack that well and is very happy with a 0-0 draw. The other one defended really well and is furious with that result.

Bottomline: this is a good point for the Portland Timbers. It was also a winnable game, and they failed to score a goal. All three things can be true. They certainly are here. Now it’s on to Kansas City, a place where “ain’t nobody can stop them now.” Children’s Mercy Park is rarely a successful trip during Portland’s MLS calendar. But this is a Timbers team that is trying desperately to show the wider audience that they aren’t who they once were, particularly at the back. I suggest listening to them. The climb continues.