"All three of Portland’s 2024 road wins came down to Evander finding a way to win the game. Tonight’s victory was different. It was a full team effort where each player built off each other’s performance."
Tbh that's the best news I've heard about the Timbers in a long time.
Analysis + statistics + historical perspective = excellent commentary. You delivered, Jeremy. (Oh, and a distinctive voice with occasional wit.) For example, we knew Finn had a great match, but the stats tell us it was memorable for the team and MLS. And we would never have known the true scale of this on-the-road beatdown without this column. I could go on...
I remember a handful of times when my low expectations for road games, at least in the last several years, were shattered. What a great feeling when dismay at kickoff leads to joy!
I think it’s going to be very interesting to see oh this team looks with Fory and Mosquera on the field. I think it’ll really open up our attack with either side being able to overlap on the wings. Also, props to Kamal for turning his night sound after the first 15-20 min. Really well done by the defense in general!
The last two games was the best lineup you could have with the given personnel, imo. Now with Mosquera back, is he the better option than E. Miller? I think Phil will start Mosquera, no question, but is he the better option? Our defense as a whole is a lot better due to the defense provided by the fullbacks this year. I am on the defense first, offense a bonus train with the fullbacks (possession a fundamental thing you must do and E. Miller checks that box), and so, I think why mess with success?
I also think having Mosquera in the lineup allows for a switch to the 3-4-1-2 without abandoning all defensive coverage on the flanks. I am still ADAMANTLY opposed to a three-cb structure though.
I think we’re better with Mosquera at RB, I think that the additions of Fory and Surmann have helped address the some of the deficiencies we had on defense last year, but having the entire right side of the pitch vacant on offensive movements really pins us in on the left flank. I do think it’s going to have to be hammered in to Mosquera that if Fory is advancing, then he needs to be in a position to slide and cover to support the defense on counters though. I also like having Miller in reserve for his versatility.
I think Mosquera is fine defensively one v one, but his off ball positional awareness can expose the backside. Phil will probably start him, so we will find out soon if he is an improvement over Miller. Potentially I think he is, but in reality, I feel a lot more comfort with Miller back there.
We were lucky not to have gotten burned by Kamal and the High Line early on, which could have changed the shape of the game. I don't like playing with that fire. Surman and Fory give me hope though, along with the indefatigable Chara and surprisingly vertical Ayala. I'll take some comfort from Ortiz' potential as well.
I'd value Kamal's distribution more if Pantemis wasn't occasionally ass. That's probably the only stat where I'd still consistently give Max the advantage. It isn't just Kamal's lack of speed though - his judgment is also suspect - so I'm less confident in his positioning making up for his physical limitations.
I'm glad you put Moreno's entire performance in context. I was upset about his early neglect of Antony. If he can work on his awareness and pick his chances a bit better, he'll be hard not to sell on for beaucoup moolah. Given what you've observed about his spacing with da Costa, gotta wonder if we got ahead of ourselves looking elsewhere for a 10, especially with Antony being generally better on the right and Moreno's desire to play central. Mosquera returning could make that right side even more crowded. Fortunately, Fory provides some width on the left, but even though Jona also likes to move inside, we still miss him being relatively wide over there.
I want to give Kelsy all due credit but that was also some pretty shit defending from Colorado. It didn't seem so much like he snuck by anyway but that nobody took him seriously as a threat or put odds on Fory's cross being pin-point.
I'm also not prepared to give Neville too much credit for anything tactical in the attack, as he's deferred to Dave van den Bergh with respect to that and there's quite a bit of evidence that his philosophy is largely about putting his favorite players on the pitch and letting them figure it out, on both sides of the ball. He was right about right though.
This has all seemed pretty negative but I think you conveyed the positives quite well. I'm very happy with the performance on the whole and especially the win. We have a lot of good things to build on.
I want to give Kelsy all due credit but that was also some pretty shit defending from Colorado....
Change your sentence to "and" instead of "but", Nicholas; both were definitely true on Saturday.
Kelsy, Antony and Santi all gashed them wide open right down Route 1, and DaCosta sent balls through them all across the field. They are thoroughly exposed...
RE the high line: It is playing with fire but it is so great when it is working. We had them smothered for long stretches in the game and would easily win balls and recycle. Kamal ought to be taking Jimer out for dinner this week. (Kamal did all right, though overall).
I LOVE a high line with the right personnel and other tactics. We need to high press as well, not let the opponent go through or over midfield so easily, AND make sure the back line has the pace/positioning to prevent counters. A sweeper keeper helps too. Kamal improved after the early harrowing minutes but Fory shouldn’t have to play as a third CB to cover for him or, if he does, it should be as part of a pivot with Mosquera getting forward on the other side. Off-the-ball movement is key too. It’s maybe improving in attack but we can’t have people spending so much time on the ball, especially cycling it back to the centerbacks and keeper, waiting for outlets. Having CBs and keepers who aren’t great with the ball at their feet makes up more vulnerable to pressure, which is exacerbated when they have nobody to pass to.
The midfield did a good job of making life difficult for Colorado and won a lot of balls and overall the backline did a nice job of keeping the ball and ultimately grinding down Colorado with possession, even if it was side to side or back because they would get past initial line pretty easily after awhile. It was a good step in the right direction of how this team can play.
Another outstanding job, Jeremy!
You are the best kind of 'homer' - a scribe who writes with a full heart AND eyes wide open...
Thanks again.
For the fifth week in a row, I predicted that Kelsy would get his first goal. This time, I was right. 💪🏻
Nice review!
"All three of Portland’s 2024 road wins came down to Evander finding a way to win the game. Tonight’s victory was different. It was a full team effort where each player built off each other’s performance."
Tbh that's the best news I've heard about the Timbers in a long time.
Analysis + statistics + historical perspective = excellent commentary. You delivered, Jeremy. (Oh, and a distinctive voice with occasional wit.) For example, we knew Finn had a great match, but the stats tell us it was memorable for the team and MLS. And we would never have known the true scale of this on-the-road beatdown without this column. I could go on...
I remember a handful of times when my low expectations for road games, at least in the last several years, were shattered. What a great feeling when dismay at kickoff leads to joy!
Thanks so much Jeremy!
I think it’s going to be very interesting to see oh this team looks with Fory and Mosquera on the field. I think it’ll really open up our attack with either side being able to overlap on the wings. Also, props to Kamal for turning his night sound after the first 15-20 min. Really well done by the defense in general!
The last two games was the best lineup you could have with the given personnel, imo. Now with Mosquera back, is he the better option than E. Miller? I think Phil will start Mosquera, no question, but is he the better option? Our defense as a whole is a lot better due to the defense provided by the fullbacks this year. I am on the defense first, offense a bonus train with the fullbacks (possession a fundamental thing you must do and E. Miller checks that box), and so, I think why mess with success?
I also think having Mosquera in the lineup allows for a switch to the 3-4-1-2 without abandoning all defensive coverage on the flanks. I am still ADAMANTLY opposed to a three-cb structure though.
I think we’re better with Mosquera at RB, I think that the additions of Fory and Surmann have helped address the some of the deficiencies we had on defense last year, but having the entire right side of the pitch vacant on offensive movements really pins us in on the left flank. I do think it’s going to have to be hammered in to Mosquera that if Fory is advancing, then he needs to be in a position to slide and cover to support the defense on counters though. I also like having Miller in reserve for his versatility.
I think Mosquera is fine defensively one v one, but his off ball positional awareness can expose the backside. Phil will probably start him, so we will find out soon if he is an improvement over Miller. Potentially I think he is, but in reality, I feel a lot more comfort with Miller back there.
We were lucky not to have gotten burned by Kamal and the High Line early on, which could have changed the shape of the game. I don't like playing with that fire. Surman and Fory give me hope though, along with the indefatigable Chara and surprisingly vertical Ayala. I'll take some comfort from Ortiz' potential as well.
I'd value Kamal's distribution more if Pantemis wasn't occasionally ass. That's probably the only stat where I'd still consistently give Max the advantage. It isn't just Kamal's lack of speed though - his judgment is also suspect - so I'm less confident in his positioning making up for his physical limitations.
I'm glad you put Moreno's entire performance in context. I was upset about his early neglect of Antony. If he can work on his awareness and pick his chances a bit better, he'll be hard not to sell on for beaucoup moolah. Given what you've observed about his spacing with da Costa, gotta wonder if we got ahead of ourselves looking elsewhere for a 10, especially with Antony being generally better on the right and Moreno's desire to play central. Mosquera returning could make that right side even more crowded. Fortunately, Fory provides some width on the left, but even though Jona also likes to move inside, we still miss him being relatively wide over there.
I want to give Kelsy all due credit but that was also some pretty shit defending from Colorado. It didn't seem so much like he snuck by anyway but that nobody took him seriously as a threat or put odds on Fory's cross being pin-point.
I'm also not prepared to give Neville too much credit for anything tactical in the attack, as he's deferred to Dave van den Bergh with respect to that and there's quite a bit of evidence that his philosophy is largely about putting his favorite players on the pitch and letting them figure it out, on both sides of the ball. He was right about right though.
This has all seemed pretty negative but I think you conveyed the positives quite well. I'm very happy with the performance on the whole and especially the win. We have a lot of good things to build on.
I want to give Kelsy all due credit but that was also some pretty shit defending from Colorado....
Change your sentence to "and" instead of "but", Nicholas; both were definitely true on Saturday.
Kelsy, Antony and Santi all gashed them wide open right down Route 1, and DaCosta sent balls through them all across the field. They are thoroughly exposed...
RE the high line: It is playing with fire but it is so great when it is working. We had them smothered for long stretches in the game and would easily win balls and recycle. Kamal ought to be taking Jimer out for dinner this week. (Kamal did all right, though overall).
I LOVE a high line with the right personnel and other tactics. We need to high press as well, not let the opponent go through or over midfield so easily, AND make sure the back line has the pace/positioning to prevent counters. A sweeper keeper helps too. Kamal improved after the early harrowing minutes but Fory shouldn’t have to play as a third CB to cover for him or, if he does, it should be as part of a pivot with Mosquera getting forward on the other side. Off-the-ball movement is key too. It’s maybe improving in attack but we can’t have people spending so much time on the ball, especially cycling it back to the centerbacks and keeper, waiting for outlets. Having CBs and keepers who aren’t great with the ball at their feet makes up more vulnerable to pressure, which is exacerbated when they have nobody to pass to.
The midfield did a good job of making life difficult for Colorado and won a lot of balls and overall the backline did a nice job of keeping the ball and ultimately grinding down Colorado with possession, even if it was side to side or back because they would get past initial line pretty easily after awhile. It was a good step in the right direction of how this team can play.