Fresh off a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo which extended their winning streak to four games in MLS and five games in all competitions, major tests await the Portland Timbers this week, as they take on the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders in short succession.
Things are looking good in Portland right now, less than a month after fans unveiled a banner reading “Same as it Ever Was,” showing the Timbers below the playoff red line in the MLS standings, as frustrations threatened to boil over following early season struggles. Now, the Timbers are riding high, and find themselves in third place in the Western Conference, just four points behind conference leaders Seattle Sounders. The Timbers are tied with the LA Galaxy, who they face this Wednesday, before they face the Sounders on Sunday.
As well as things are going, the Timbers are in the middle of their busiest portion of the schedule, and entering what will likely be the most challenging part of the season. Between now and July 5, the Timbers play at the Galaxy, home to the Sounders, at Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup, then they host the San Jose Earthquakes. If you’re counting at home, that’s four games in 12 days, two on the road in tough environments, a massive rivalry clash, and a game against an Earthquakes team that has been inconsistent, yet dangerous this year.
Headed into a stretch like this, complacency shouldn’t be a problem, but nonetheless, the Timbers need to avoid any slip ups over the next two weeks. A solid four games could put the Timbers on track to compete for the Western Conference championship and into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. A poor stretch could see them eliminated from the USOC and fall behind in the playoff race in a Western Conference where only seven points currently separates the Sounders in first place and the Earthquakes in seventh, the first team below the red line.
The need to avoid complacency applies not only to the team, but the front office as well. A month ago, significant changes seemed likely in the upcoming transfer window, given the team’s early struggles. With the Timbers recent form, there may be a desire to let things play out with the current roster. However, questions remain at striker especially, and some more depth in a couple of spots wouldn’t hurt. I’ll dive more into this in my upcoming piece, previewing what Portland should do in the transfer window.
Taking on two of the most prolific attacks in MLS, the Timbers defensive consistency will be tested. The Timbers enter Wednesday’s game with back to back shutouts in MLS play and having conceded only 14 goals in league play this season, second best in the league. Even with Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey missing for Seattle this weekend, both opponents will test the Timbers back line. Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey has been sensational lately, helping take the Timbers defense from very good to exceptional. Portland’s attack, which has been much improved lately, scoring seven goals in their last four MLS games, will need to continue it’s recent form as well. Especially on the road in Los Angeles, an early lead could be decisive for the Timbers, given their defensive success this season.
