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Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union: Match Night Commentary

Portland Timbers Logo Philadelphia Union Logo

The final match of opening week of the 2012 MLS season takes place in Portland, where the Timbers play host to the Philadelphia Union at Jeld-Wen Field (9:30 pm, ESPN2).

The Timbers start off the season as a popular bet to make the jump from just missing the playoffs to making the playoffs. The Union come in having lost Sebastien LeToux and Faryd Mondragon in the off-season, but having revamped the roster in preparation for those losses.

Which team's newcomers will have the bigger impact tonight? Will it be Scottish striker Kris Boyd and new centerback Hanyan Mosquera for the Timbers, or will it be Gabriel Gomez and Lionard Pajoy for the Union?

SBI will be providing commentary on tonight's match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts, opinion and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action (Commentary is after the jump):

 

Comments

  1. If not for the turf, the game would be nigh unplayable.

    Also, go ask the 1925 building designers where a FIFA regulation field can fit even though it already meets said regulations.

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  2. Not a Nowak fan but what jumps out to me is they are starting who? and who? instead of el Pescadito and LeToux.

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  3. Not a Philly fan but I expected the club to put an improved product out there with another year under their belt. To me a drop off is surprising for what seems to be a solid organization. I just don’t see how you can win in any legit pro sport with inexperience. And I also don’t get how Philly thinks they could actually hold onto all the young ‘talented’ players if they develop as they hope – and expect commensurate contracts.

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  4. BTF, your observations are right on and what I find more worrying than anything else I saw tonite. This team has the players to be playing a possession style, high defending line style of soccer with lots of short passes that keep the ball on the pitch (not in the air) and folks running at defenders (even on a narrow field). There was none of that to be seen… just like last year.

    Grinding out 1-0 results was a successful formula for last year’s lineup, but this is a different team physically and mentally, so why use the same approach? I can’t help but wonder if the team looked so listless because the idea of chasing a booted the balls upfield just doesn’t appeal to a single one of the players at midfield or striker.

    I have faith in this squad and there is lots of talent on the field, and I have lots of respect for what Nowak has done in his career, but if this is the style of play he has envisioned for Philly he’s picked the wrong kinds of players for the job–they are all too small! But if he’s investing in the players then I think he needs to develop a style suited to their skills, which is NOT dump and chase.

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  5. A. anyone not drinking the Nowak Cool-aid knew there was going to be a drop off.
    B. how many 20 year old goalkeepers are ready for primetime. we just have to hope his mind doesn’t get wrecked in the process, because the tools are certainly there.
    C. Portland are always tough at home, but they did look sharper in the 2nd half.

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  6. A might be right. Let’s see how they play at home on Sunday first.
    B is wrong. He came back strong after the mistake.
    C is absolutely right.

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  7. *Sigh* the empty bucket formation persists. I really fear the Union are in for another year of bizarre starting lineups, half-time subs and no shape in midfield…I know its only the first game but this all looks too familiar…

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  8. i wish i could disagree, but just don’t see how I can at this point… it’s like he thinks he’s got a team entirely of 6’3″ players with no speed or ball skills…

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  9. It’s crazy when we can sit here and realize everything that is clearly wrong with Philly while they continue to make the same mistake over and over without correction from the coach.

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  10. why when this Philly team has such natural one touch short pass midfielders is long ball after long ball being booted downfield?

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  11. As internet commentators we’re not really in a position to judge, but Nowak is a bad coach who has shown time and again that he cannot judge talent or tactics.

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  12. A bit of karma there…

    Take off your best effective offensive player, Adu who just stopped a sure goal, and you get scored on instantly.

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  13. Who is this Lopez at left back for the Union, and why is he so afraid of making a challenge? Way more entertaining in the second half so far.

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  14. Hey Merrit Paulsen why don’t you increase the size of your field you freaking dunce. Unbelievable that he wonders on Twitter why the US team doesn’t come to Portland. And get some real grass while you’re at it.

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  15. This is painful.

    This field is way too small for one. And the Union are playing direct balls over the top to a group of really short possession midfielders and then wondering why they can’t get any chances.

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  16. So much for doing something about the officiating. Wow that was just a terrible decision to not give a penalty.

    Pulled to the ground from behind by his shoulders.. I mean what else do you need for a penalty?

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  17. We need a new anthem. Those Portland fans gave it their all, but that song just doesn’t sound right coming from a crowd in full voice.

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