The Far Post
Phil Neville's toughest test as Timbers manager has nothing to do with trophies. He must conquer their greatest weakness.
It’s July 26, 2023. The Portland Timbers are hosting Tigres in Leagues Cup. Evander scores an incredible free-kick but gets sent off right before halftime following a very questionable second yellow card. Tigres had already tied the game before the dismissal, but the Timbers now had to hold on for dear life to secure a result against a superior opponent. However, they continue to valiantly fight. Then, in the 80th minute, an old friend re-appeared.
On the original broadcast, the camera decides to focus on Jaroslaw Niezgoda before abruptly cutting to Jesus Angulo scoring a free header at the far post from a corner kick. Only on replay can you see what occurred here. Only Dario Zuparic and Dairon Asprilla are marking a man. Asprilla got outjumped by Guido Pizarro who has just flicked the ball over the heads of Cristhian Paredes and Zac McGraw. Juan Mosquera has lost Angulo and he’s about to put the dagger in Portland’s hearts. The biggest issue with the Timbers defense is exemplified by all three players that were turned into statues by Pizarro’s flick-on. And we always see the outcome at one specific point of the pitch: the far post.