The Rose City again had no pity for the Chicago Fire (Getty Images)
The Portland Timbers needed a win in this one, there is little doubt about that. They'd been playing better recently, but coming up with draws instead of wins had kept them mired at the foot of the Western Conference table. Following the Galaxy's defeat to Chivas, the Timbers could escape last place with a win over the Fire.
Portland coach Jon Spencer had been preaching service into the box after Portland's scoreless draw at Houston. That did improve somewhat for the Timbers, who scored both of their goals from corner kicks. In the 4th minute they got the ball into Kris Boyd after a throw in but his header was saved at point blank range by Sean Johnson. It was really the only noteworthy chance for either side until Eric Brunner hook volleyed a ball into the Chicago net off of a corner kick in the 20th minute.
The kick gave the Timbers the 1-0 lead which they looked keen to hold into halftime. However, the Fire have come back from 1 goal deficits 3 times on the road this year. In the 36th minute Pavel Pardo unleashed a wicked strike on the Timbers goal that was well saved by Troy Perkins. Then in the 39th minute Jalil Anibaba ended up with the ball in the box after a poor clearance from the Timbers and slid a shot in far post to tie the match at 1-1 going to the interval.
The second half proved very frustrating to watch. The Fire players started going to the floor with every little bit of contact. Thankfully the referee wasn't buying it. Then of course the Fire complained to said referee. It really was embarrassing.
The Timbers had yet another chance off of a set piece in the 47th minute, but this time Brunner's header missed the target. They did finally get the deserved lead in 52nd, when Chicago's Logan Pause deflected in a Timbers corner for an own goal that put Portland up 2-1.
The Fire did mount a bit of an attacking presence later in the second half, but the Timbers did a much better job of managing the game, staying with the Fire attackers and not giving up many good looks. The tension came to a head in the 80th minute when the the Fire's Sebastián Grazzini went down easily in the box trying to earn a penalty. The referee saw right through it and gave him a yellow card for simulation.
The last ten minutes plus stoppage time saw little significant attacking action from the Fire, and the Timbers held on for the three points, dropping the LA Galaxy into last place in the west. It certainly could be a win for Portland to build on, and I think they definitely played better, but their best service still came from set pieces, as the Fire were able to get more balls into the 18 from the run of play. For the Timbers to truly mount a climb out of the cellar, they need to improve on this some more. I'm sure Spencer would agree.
No comments:
Post a Comment