You Cannot Stop These Timbers

The Timbers extended their unbeaten streak to 9 games this week with a tie in Dallas on Wednesday and a 3-0 win at home against Chivas USA on Sunday.

The game in Dallas was a scrappy back and forth contest that saw two of the fastest paced teams going at it. The Timbers were given the lead in the 70th minute after Rodney Wallace came off the bench and provided a well placed cross to the back post for Darlington Nagbe to finish. Dallas replied through a Kenny Cooper penalty kick after a controversial call was made on Jean Baptiste.

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Diego Chara had a stand out performance. The defensive midfielder has always been a reliable force but he showed why he is thought to be the most underrated midfielder in the league with a few great tackles and precise passing.

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The game at home was a lot more one sided as the Timbers bullied Chivas USA in a tremendous victory. After a tough couple ties the Timbers showed cutting edge in the game. The highlight being the first goal which goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts started with a throw to Diego Valeri.

Valeri showed great awareness to speed the play up and only used two touches before finding Ryan Johnson in the enemy’s half. Johnson, with one touch, lobbed a great ball to Rodney Wallace. Wallace only needed one touch to control and one touch to finish.

In the end there were only seven touches involved in what proved to be the game-winning goal:

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Wallace was involved in the 2nd goal as well. A nice through ball to Diego Valeri allowed the center midfielder to slot home a nicely placed ball to the far post.

Finally in the final minutes captain Will Johnson polished the game off with a right-footed shot to the far post from the top of the 18-yard box. It is Johnson’s 4th goal and his all time season high. Valeri was once again involved in the play.

Rodney Wallace has proven to be a solid player. The once left back is fitting in the Timbers attack perfectly and was a catalyst in both games this week. He is a true testament to the coaching abilities of Caleb Porter. Porter is getting the best out of the Costa Rican international. If Wallace can stay healthy and confident he will certainly have a break out season.

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