The MLS Timbers, So Far
As we are at the mid season lets take a look at how the Timbers are doing. As of late the Timbers are winless in the last seven games and stand just above the Whitecaps who are on the bottom of the league. I seem to recall that the goal of this team was to do as well or even better then Seattle did in their first season in the MLS. That will not happen as the Timbers are out of the open cup which Seattle won their first season. The Timbers need 47 points to match what Seattle did in their first season. Can the Timbers get 29 points in the second part of the season? At the current rate the Timbers will not an thus the goal the Timbers set for themselves will not be reached. Can the Timbers make the playoffs? The current trend makes this another goal that the Timbers will not meet. So all in all what does this all mean. For one the Timber fans were let down as the team that was put together has not done their job.
Should the Timbers make some moves to try to turn things around? If you read the press, both Gavin and coach Spencer have been looking for players to make the team better from day one of the season. Now they are looking into the MLS market to make trades to improve the team. The problem here is that the Timbers don not have much to offer to make this happen. So lets take a look at the coach an the players on the team to see the good and the bad side.
First off Spencer tells it like it is which as a fan I love to see this. He has an aggressive style of play with attacking soccer. Could this be a reason the back line seems to be weak? The problem seems to be having the right players do this in the games. Now a good coach works with what he has and we did see some of that with the formation change in the last match. He has changed his lineup as well. The trouble is the team is not deep enough to turn things around. So the good in Spencer is his attacking style of play but the players he has are weak. The bad. You have to put the blame on the weak players on Gavin and Spencer as the are the one’s who picked them. Do you sack Spencer as the team is not doing well? No. You need to give a coach an entire season then review what they have done.
Now to the players. Who are doing well and those who are not So we will start with the player who may be on the trading block. Kenny Cooper was a big signing for Portland as he was a striker who did very well for FC Dallas in the past. But were did we get him from.
Cooper went over seas to play for 1860 Munich only saw 12 matches where he scored 2 goals. Not very impressive. So I guess what led us bring him back to the MLS where he scored all these goals. I do like the way Cooper players and I hope the Timbers hang on to him. It seems to me that you just need to get him the ball at the right time. It could be that Cooper may never fit in Spencer style of play then a trade would be needed.
Jorge Perlaza the very quick forward that has resulted in some goals. The only draw back I see is he can not handle the physical play of the MLS. I see him as a starter up front the rest of the season.
The only other forward I will mention is Bright Dike who is coming off an injury. Will he ever be as effective as he was last season I am not sure. It seems many players really never get over a major injury and Dike may be in this boat. i hope not a Dike was amazing to watch with his size and speed getting around defenders. This is a key we are missing this season and I do hope to see the Dike of old as he can turn this team around.
The best player on the team is Jack Jewsberry in midfield. His leadership is the only thing holding the team together . The set pieces are amazing from someone who was known as a defensive midfield player. Jack has the best outside shot of anyone on the club and is our best PK takers as well. Jack is the best pickup the Timber have made in their first season in the MLS.
Diego Chara. Is he the player Gavin and Spencer said would be the best midfielder in the MLS? If you remember back during the draft why we traded Dax was that we had a midfield player who would become the best in the MLS. We if this is the guy I am disappointed. Better then Dax no doubt but the best in the MLS? No. I do like this guy as he is really beginning to show some good play. His drawback is he is small and can be manhandled by bigger players.
Kalif Alhassan is a very good young player that needs to take more players on as he does have that skill. He is another player who has problems with the physical play in the MLS. Still a diamond in the rough.
Darlington Nagbe another quick young talent who will continue to improve with time and need to get use to the physical style in the MLS. Another diamond in the rough.
Sal Zizzo is used as a sub for Nagbe or Alhassan. Does very well when he comes into the match with his good speed. Would like to see what he can do as a starter as he has been in the MLS. Could be trade bait.
Eric Brunner the best defender we have on this team. However he can not do it all by himself. Sad thing is he maybe on the trading block as the Timbers look to improve their center defense. Brunner has saved the Timbers many times and the only solid defender we have.
Mamadou “Futty” Danso very good when it comes to set players but does need improvement on his D. At 28 years old he may be at his peek and Spencers needs to look hard at is it worth keeping him on the field for set plays and give up a goal in the process. Do not get me wrong as he way better then Wallace, Hall, and Goldthwaite.
Rodney Wallace scored two goals for us but how many has he given up. Makes the Dax trade look bad.
Steve Purdy is better then last season but again like Wallace how many goal has he given up. Better defender then Wallace? Yes.
David Horst when he plays he is solid but can he over come his injuries. He is the only central defender who can bring the ball up the field and he takes his players out which is something I would like to see all are defenders do more. This guy I would like to see as a starter.
Troy Perkins a good keeper but with Jake Gleeson in his shadow I see Troy moving to the bench or to another team in a year or two. The Timbers are good with their keepers it is other areas they need to improve on.
As far as the rest of the players some will come on to be better and make their mark for the club others will move on. As far as this season goes I do not seeing them having a major impact on our push to make the playoffs. I do not see this team making the playoffs the way they currently are playing and I am not sure by adding a player or two that will turn them around to make the playoffs.
The kick the long ball or Bobby Ball has been a real pain to watch this season and I think it has come to this point as the team struggles to move the ball forward. Do not get me wrong as seeing the first win at home is something I will never forget. It is time for the team to come together play solid defense and work the ball up the field and score some goals. Time to also get rid of our weak links as it has been more then enough time for them to step up. I would never want Gavin and Specers job as it is a thankless one when times are bad.
As always RCTID!
