There is truth in that, but it's also the case that TMac's goal also stole a lot of the spotlight off that pass. They were both amazing.
Timbers Postmatch
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There is truth in that, but it's also the case that TMac's goal also stole a lot of the spotlight off that pass. They were both amazing.
It was a great, thrilling game. I lost it when that TMac curler went in.
Hernandez had his best game - he has been so much better this year and has also gotten better as the year has gone along.
Brillant was solid. He was probably at fault for the Adi goal as he let Adi get behind him too easily. Hernandez was way back and keeping Adi onside. Still, Freddie almost caught up and did get a foot on the shot. Hard to be too critical given how many chances Portland had that Brillant and the rest of the defense thwarted.
Lopez was good in his role, but he's clearly a backup to Bravo as a defensive midfielder. I think we missed Bravo more than some people realize. I believe we would have broken up Portland's possession more often if Rico had been back there causing havoc and dishing out pain.
Mix was, well, mixed. I think he was rusty, so his touch was off on a few passes, but he was involved in the buildup to TMac's goal, played hard, and deserves praise. There was nothing today that suggests to me he shouldn't start, especially when combined with his quality earlier in the year.
The ref was generally good. The Allen "handball" was really borderline. No way would it be called in the box, and it's 50-50 at best in the field of play. The ref let other ones go all day, including by Portland. The Hernandez slide was never a handball. The Mata tackle was not a penalty at all. His tug could have been, but the ref probably thought that would have been harsh. I do worry about mistakes like that from Mata, however.
Khiry was okay. He didn't seem to have his usual speed advantage on the flank, so he wasn't as disruptive as usual. Don't think there is anyone else we could have put in there that would have done better.
One thing people need to realize about our DPs is that they are making a difference even on a quiet day. Pirlo didn't have any huge plays, but often he draws so much defensive attention that it opens things up for everyone else. That was the case a lot yesterday, including on the winning goal. Pirlo drew the defense and did a nifty, no-look pass for the winner.
It's terrific to watch the players right at the whistle of these last 3 games. They are both jubilant and totally spent. These guys really care right now, and that's all you can ask.
Which play was more amazing? RJ's pass or TMac's goal.
Hernandez had his best game - he has been so much better this year and has also gotten better as the year has gone along.
Brillant was solid. He was probably at fault for the Adi goal as he let Adi get behind him too easily. Hernandez was way back and keeping Adi onside. Still, Freddie almost caught up and did get a foot on the shot. Hard to be too critical given how many chances Portland had that Brillant and the rest of the defense thwarted.
Lopez was good in his role, but he's clearly a backup to Bravo as a defensive midfielder. I think we missed Bravo more than some people realize. I believe we would have broken up Portland's possession more often if Rico had been back there causing havoc and dishing out pain.
Mix was, well, mixed. I think he was rusty, so his touch was off on a few passes, but he was involved in the buildup to TMac's goal, played hard, and deserves praise. There was nothing today that suggests to me he shouldn't start, especially when combined with his quality earlier in the year.
The ref was generally good. The Allen "handball" was really borderline. No way would it be called in the box, and it's 50-50 at best in the field of play. The ref let other ones go all day, including by Portland. The Hernandez slide was never a handball. The Mata tackle was not a penalty at all. His tug could have been, but the ref probably thought that would have been harsh. I do worry about mistakes like that from Mata, however.
Khiry was okay. He didn't seem to have his usual speed advantage on the flank, so he wasn't as disruptive as usual. Don't think there is anyone else we could have put in there that would have done better.
One thing people need to realize about our DPs is that they are making a difference even on a quiet day. Pirlo didn't have any huge plays, but often he draws so much defensive attention that it opens things up for everyone else. That was the case a lot yesterday, including on the winning goal. Pirlo drew the defense and did a nifty, no-look pass for the winner.
It's terrific to watch the players right at the whistle of these last 3 games. They are both jubilant and totally spent. These guys really care right now, and that's all you can ask.
Which play was more amazing? RJ's pass or TMac's goal.
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yeah we got screwed with the scheduling here. SUN - WED - SAT? like really?! couldn't they at least space out the ends SAT-WED-SUN, or at the very least space one or the other side.
Wonder Pass and Wonder Goal. I refuse to set them against each other.
MLS does tend to schedule the Sun-Wed-Sat more often than the Sat-Wed-Sun - I noted it for a few other teams this year. Seems silly.
This, totally, 100 times. It's kind of mystifying to me that people don't see this sort of thing as utterly important to wins. That tiny little dink from Pirlo to McNamara, with Pirlo not even looking at him so as to not draw the defenders' attention, that was pure brilliance. And he does that sort of thing all the time. Not to mention tying up defenders who have to stay with him just to make sure he doesn't do things like that who might otherwise be marking other players of ours.
Did they wear the blue shorts because it was raining? And white and rain/water don't mix very well? Then I noticed Portland is wearing white shorts so now I don't know
The RBNY match has to be Saturday afternoon because the Yankees play at home the following Tuesday. We have never played a match later than 3pm Saturday when that is the case. Yesterday's game had to be either 2-days rest for Portland who played the previous Wednesday or 2-days rest for us. Since they had a longer leg before that (they played the prior Saturday) I think we should have gotten to play on Saturday. If we were destined for Sunday we should have played one of the earlier slots, but I thin Fox wanted this match up and it paid off for them.
Fox wanted the match so badly they preempted it with taped drag racing that ran 41minutes over. Fox sports has made my shit list up there with Yankees concessions, RB fans, and Lalas... They can all go and play in traffic (borrowing BxLio91 's quote).
I'm sure MLS will switch to another network as soon as someone else offers more money in return for more scheduling control.
Watch the highlight video at the 1:21 mark, Mix can't get turned like that if he considers himself a CDM. He's one of my favorite players and all the positives you list are true but he needs to be stronger on ball both defensively and offensively to be a reliable option as a holding mid. That said with Bravo back to play the defensive role I'd definitely take mix over Lopez in the high press more offensive midfield spot in our 4-3-3.
Maybe Pirlo can teach him how to do those little chop turns he does to get away from the defender and create space. Either that or Mix needs to get stronger so he can hold people off the ball Micheal Bradley style.
I don't consider Mix a CDM, he is a CM, right? Everyone loses the ball occasionally, and Mix loses it way less than Pirlo or Lopez does. Lopez gifted Portland a chance with an awful, but not abnormal for him, turnover deep in his own corner. He's perfect for our system, I really hope he doesnt get called up to the MNT just to royt on the bench so he can string together some games for us.
A few lunchtime thoughts:
The wet field (turf) really hurt our big weapons -- speed. Didn't look nearly as fast as previous matches, but thankfully it wasn't the difference.
Good on PV for being and amoeba coach that can get wins playing way out of our style.
Pirlo made some great plays with his feet with defenders around him. Great body control to get defenders leaning the wrong way, buying him an extra .5 seconds and a few feet. It's a masterclass in and of itself.
Really wished we had a few more chances, but this felt like a game we were always chasing, even though we lead for ~70 minutes.
Hats off to Josh. He made some incredible saves, even if he made some mistakes (I credit the slick gloves/ball for the mis-punch).
The next two games will test PV and staff like no other. Keeping momentum/continuity, rest, formation, reigning MVP, biggest derby of the year... the margin of error is slim for the next two games if we want to win. Hopefully these guys see a whole 8 days after the NJ game to rest and can ball well on short rest. A skeleton lineup might be good enough to beat Toronto -- though I hope we see a full squad to destroy the red-headed step child Saturday.
The wet field (turf) really hurt our big weapons -- speed. Didn't look nearly as fast as previous matches, but thankfully it wasn't the difference.
Good on PV for being and amoeba coach that can get wins playing way out of our style.
Pirlo made some great plays with his feet with defenders around him. Great body control to get defenders leaning the wrong way, buying him an extra .5 seconds and a few feet. It's a masterclass in and of itself.
Really wished we had a few more chances, but this felt like a game we were always chasing, even though we lead for ~70 minutes.
Hats off to Josh. He made some incredible saves, even if he made some mistakes (I credit the slick gloves/ball for the mis-punch).
The next two games will test PV and staff like no other. Keeping momentum/continuity, rest, formation, reigning MVP, biggest derby of the year... the margin of error is slim for the next two games if we want to win. Hopefully these guys see a whole 8 days after the NJ game to rest and can ball well on short rest. A skeleton lineup might be good enough to beat Toronto -- though I hope we see a full squad to destroy the red-headed step child Saturday.
You just answered your own question. The home team was wearing white shorts. As a result, the ref decided the away team could not.
Oh okay, did not know both teams couldn't wear the same colored shorts in a match, thanks Paul
It is within the ref's discretion based on whether he feels there's enough of a contrast in the 2 club's kits.
Maybe because Pirlo is an international superstar who has won almost everything you can and RJ is...who? Just realism, not sarcasm.
Not taking away anything from his pass, it was brilliant...but Villa had a lot to do with that outcome also.
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