Oh, how the tables have turned.
Yes, there were inconsistencies. Yes, there were problems, particularly on one end of the field (we’ll get to that shortly), but this Portland Timbers squad seemed capable of achieving something on a bigger stage just a month ago. We’re talking about a team that has earned 15 points from losing positions in 2024, overcoming multi-goal deficits in five of those nine come-from-behind matches and scoring 16 goals after the 75th minute. Something we haven’t seen in previous Timbers seasons. Something you don’t see much in this league.
All of that momentum and promise has gone down the drain over these last few weeks, and the one who delivered the fatal dagger was none other than their Cascadia rivals from the Great White North.
It almost feels like a waste of time to analyze Portland’s heavy 5-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference’s single-elimination Wild Card match. One side played with MLS Cup aspirations in mind; the other side looked as if they were only there to collect a paycheck. That’s the harsh reality.
Goalkeeper James Pantemis, who overtook Maxime Crepeau as the club’s number-one shot-stopper this season, was not given much support from his backline. The Whitecaps got on the board early due to the Green and Gold’s inability to clear the ball off a corner. They doubled their lead when Mathías Laborda found a completely unmarked Brian White at the far post. The third came directly off a poor backpass from Claudio Bravo. Everyone practically checked out after that.
Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy must step up and make it clear that his top priority this winter is to overhaul the defense. Kamal Miller, Zac McGraw, and Miguel Araujo all had underwhelming seasons, and Dario Zuparic, who requested a trade last year, has an uncertain future. At just 21, Finn Surman is still too unproven to handle significant minutes next February. There’s a real possibility that no starting-caliber center-backs will be on the roster come opening night in 2025. Furthermore, the fullback tandem of Bravo and Juan David Mosquera, who frequently push forward, often leaves gaps in the defense that opponents can exploit. To survive with both of these players in the starting lineup, the Timbers need experienced central defenders they can rely on, along with additional depth.
That said, you have to give credit to how Vanni Sartini prepared his team for this match. We’ve seen Evander, Santiago Moreno, Jonathan Rodriguez, and Felipe Mora punish teams that leave themselves vulnerable on the counter time and time again, but once the Whitecaps established their lead, they bunkered down. Those same players found zero space to do anything. They lost the 50/50 balls. The end result is a front four that manages just four shots on target and an xG of 0.87.
It’s hard to believe that a team that ranked fourth in the league in goals scored could be shut out three times in their final five games. Teams have put more players behind the ball, and the Timbers have struggled to find those opportunities they once did. It’s deeply concerning to state the obvious.
Neville took some responsibility for the loss in his post-match press conference but also pointed out the lack of cohesion and fight from his players. He described it as “one player against 11.” This is not the first time Neville has hinted at issues within the locker room over the last eight months, and we’ve seen instances where players have engaged in heated exchanges with the Englishman over being subbed out or failing to follow tactical instructions. He stopped short of openly criticizing anyone specifically, though the tension was palpable.
At the end of the day, there were a lot of positives to build on this season, but the numbers tell another story. The Timbers finished with four more points than they did in 2023 and just one more than in 2022. This club has plateaued, and it’s up to the front office to strategically invest their way into the upper echelons of the West with fresh talent and defensive stability to complement some solid pieces already in place, including an MVP-caliber number 10 at the center of it all.
To the offseason, it is. At least we’ll have the Blazers to entertain us over the winter, right folks?
