Fortunately, there were notweets following this one.
However, Timbers manager Phil Neville didn’t spend much time looking for the bright side after Portland’s most recent loss to Vancouver, a 4-1 season-opening setback at Providence Park that followed Portland’s 5-0 loss to the Whitecaps to close the previous season.
Indeed, Kamal Miller’s red card in the eleventh minute meant that the Timbers were shorthanded for much the entire game on Sunday. That red card was dubious, to be sure. The non-call on a handball that led to Vancouver’s third goal was also a factor. However, the only significant improvement the second-year manager could muster in his postgame news conference following an offseason of trying to move forward and retooling a club to be younger, faster, more athletic, and ostensibly better defensively was this:
There are still 33 games left, unlike the season-ending collapse of the previous year.
Neville declared, “I don’t want anyone to discuss those two decisions.” How a guy gets through on goal when it’s four on one at the back is more important to me. Regardless of whether we believed it to be a foul or a red card, we could manufacture all the explanations we wanted. That man shouldn’t have been in that situation, in my opinion. It goes without saying that the second or third goal was a handball. It was still 80 yards from the goal, but I believe that everyone in the stadium witnessed it. It was 80 yards from goal, so it’s not like it was on the six-yard box or a goal-line clearing.
And we were disciplined.
For a fan base that watched other teams in the playoffs in November and December, watched their former MVP candidate Evander shipped to Cincinnati, watched a first-game lineup that featured Miguel Araujo, Juan Mosquera, Santiago Moreno, Jonathan Rodriguez, and Dario Zuparic missing due to visa issues, and still filed into Providence Park under an atmospheric river to watch their home team have little chance, “punished” may be an understatement.
After twenty-four minutes, the Timbers were behind 1-0. After thirty-three minutes, they were behind 2-0. Before Antony ended a 163-minute scoreless streak for Portland’s only goal of the game in the 73rd, they were outshot 14-0 at the half and appeared to be headed for another shutout loss after Vancouver’s goals in the 53rd and 61st minutes.
As the team began its 50th anniversary season in Portland, the Timbers entered Sunday looking to turn the page after a turbulent winter. In addition to being Diego Chara’s 400th game with the team during the regular season, it was also the first game for new designated player David Da Costa and against a team Portland would have undoubtedly appreciated redemption against after what happened on October 23.
Additionally, the Timbers played disorganized soccer and gave themselves little to no chance when Miller was sent off 11 minutes into the game, whereas Neville entered the season with high hopes for his team’s youth and talent.
Defender Zac McGraw echoed his manager when he remarked, “We were punished for little mistakes.” the initial objective. The second objective is to close down outside the box. The third objective is to counterattack. The fourth objective is that it’s simple to add on when things are becoming worse.
To be honest, the team Portland used for Sunday’s game was far from its best. Da Costa didn’t get enough preseason training because of his personal visa problems, thus he only played in the second half. The Timbers’ assault relies heavily on Rodriguez and Moreno, so almost everyone was taken aback by Zuparic’s injury, which Neville called “bad.” This club ought to be superior, and Evander’s offensive presence wouldn’t have mattered much against a Vancouver side that has now scored nine goals at Providence Park in its last two games.
But when his remarks to the media came to a conclusion, Neville became irritated. There were plenty of bad plays that the manager stated needed to improve immediately for a side that had six players make their club debuts, but there were also reasons available if he so desired.
Neville stated, “I believe those younger players will have gained a lot of knowledge today.” As a young player, you occasionally need an experience like this. I believe I was a really good player in my first football game. I went to my first Premier League game against Aston Villa, and after 20 minutes, I believe we were behind three goals. “Oh wow,” I thought. It’s a true check, and many of our participants likely had their knowledge of what’s required to compete checked today. Even if it hurts, I believe it’s preferable to experience it during the first game rather than later in the season, when it may be excruciating.
On Sunday, February 23, 2024, at Providence Park, Portland Timbers midfielder Jimer Fory passes the ball ahead during an MLS game versus the Vancouver Whitecaps.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian
Jimer Fory, the new defender, impressed Neville. Da Costa, who the Timbers paid $6 million for last week from French Ligue 1 team RC Lens, was impressive in his 45 minutes of action and will start Game 2 against Austin FC on Saturday, according to him. He also noted that new forward Kevin Kelsy showed courage.
Perhaps a fan base that has endured a downpour for the past four months can refer to the few spots of blue sky that appeared over Providence Park soon after the game ended as a sign that things are improving for this team.
Luckily, we lost at the final game of the season last year and were eliminated, McGraw remarked. Since it’s early in the year this year, we can truly make improvements. Although there are many new players on the pitch and in the locker room, we have spent the entire preseason together. Then they will adjust.
The I-5 Corridor was the original home of this article.
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