I wanted to post this earlier, but it has been a busy few days... My thoughts from the game Positive When we are in a groove, we generate chances. The first 15 minutes and good stretches of the second half were well played by the Rapids. Powers looks like he will continue to be the man. He had some nice, quick link up play with LaBrocca in tight spots. He is the engine of the team. Sanchez is really fun to watch. I hope he can get a ton of minutes this season. Burch filled in admirably. Valeri was a non-factor for Portland, a credit to our defense. Negatives The 4-5-1 (or 4-2-3-1) wasn't getting it done. Buddle and Brown both were ineffective for the most part in this alignment IMO. We are lucky our set piece defending didn't cost us two goals. If not for poor finishing on Portland's part, we would all be lamenting how bad it really was. O'Neill looked real slow out there - I hope that was the cold. Our crossing of the ball was terrible from the run of play and from corner kicks. I expected more out of Jose Mari.
PRO backs up Geiger on both PK calls, as we expected as they were fairly obvious despite a loud minority of Timbers fans. http://www.proreferees.com/news-play-of-the-week---2014---wk3.php
Disco suspends Ricketts an additional game, out next 2 now. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...to-fcs-jackson-portland-timbers-donovan-ricke
Been to the Portland website, glanced at latest news and their tweets. No news on any injury to Ricketts after his flying drop kick to Brown.
I bet upon hearing this news somewhere Rickets is having an "I'm coming Elizabeth!" heart attack and will not let normal life continue until everyone around him has spent a fair amount of time tending to him.
Not to mention putting six minutes on the clock after the 90' mark cuz he figured the penalty would be scored and POR would need more time.
The Good - • Figuring out how to get some goals when the game appeared to be headed to a scoreless draw • In general not giving a lot of quality chances to the opponent • The award winning TIFO! The Bad - • A few too many Portland chances off of set pieces • Not enough quality shots from open play The Ugly - • Ricketts' "kung fu" clearance of Brown • The # of offsides on the Timbers in the first half (This, of course, wasn't ugly for the Rapids' prospects)