Portland's Kris Boyd and Chivas USA's Rauwshan McKenzie (Getty Images)
Nobody will argue that the atmosphere that the Portland Timbers and Timbers Army have created at Jeld-Wen field is up there with the best in MLS. The Timbers came up just short of qualifying for the playoffs last year, and are looking to move up the Western Conference ladder after the off season acquisition of Kris Boyd, the former Rangers striker. There's not really any question that the Timbers can score goals, but Real Salt Lake did ask a very important one: can the Timbers keep goals out, especially late in the match? The answer against RSL was no. How would they fair against Chivas USA, who had only scored one goal in MLS play coming into this match?
Things started well enough for the Timbers in this one, and for much of the first half, they looked like they were going to run over Chivas. Indeed, not only did the Timbers control possession, but they created a lot of chances. For the most part, they found out just how good Dan Kennedy is in goal for Chivas, but the Rojoblancos 'keeper did eventually run into some trouble.
That trouble came in the 16th minute. Kennedy went up for the same ball as his defender James Riley. The two collided and ended up on the ground, the ball loose. Boyd collected the ball for the Timbers and calmly banged it into the empty Chivas net to make it 1-0. The Timbers would ride that scoreline into halftime.
However once again defensive trouble came home to roost for Portland in the second half. Chivas head coach Robin Fraser made a couple of adjustments, including bringing in fullback Ryan Smith. It paid immediate returns. In the 48th minute, he sent a gorgeous cross in toward the Timbers six yard box. The ball found the head of Alejandro Moreno, coming in virtually unmarked. Moreno headed the ball past a powerless Troy Perkins to equalize the match at 1-1.
The troubles didn't end there for the Timbers. Last week they gave up the winner against RSL in stoppage time. This week, it came in the 82nd minute. Again Ryan Smith torched the Timbers defense and sent in a cross. This time Nick LaBrocca got his head to the ball and beat Perkins to give the Goats a 1-2 win, as Portland wouldn't really threaten again.
For Chivas, they're starting to take on the reputation of road warriors with their two wins at RSL and Portland, two tough places to play. If they can keep scoring goals and get their home form in check, I think they could make some noise.
The Timbers have some soul searching to do. I was a bit surprised to to see some Timbers fans calling for John Spencer's head in some comments on MLS's website. I don't really think that's the answer. The team needs to get some defensive help. You can't expect to hold serve at home based on your unique pitch size and great crowd. Obviously teams are starting to figure things out there. Plus, if you really want to make a playoff push in MLS, particularly in the Western Conference, you need to be able to pick up points on the road. You need some defense. I don't think it's panic time for the Timbers, but they need some help.
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