By: Ben Bergerson Designer
I’m known around the office as the Timbers fan. And there aren’t many of us in the world of American sports fans. Most of the time I wish more people watched soccer, just so that people could feel the excitement that surrounds the sport during the post-season.
These matches aren’t just thrilling for someone “in the know” with soccer; anyone who watches will find themselves wrapped up in the drama and excitement too.
Take, for example, the Portland Timbers’ road to the playoffs.
The Timbers had come off a long stretch where they just couldn’t score a goal. They were creating chances and were one of the best teams in the league defensively, but they couldn’t convert those chances into actual goals.
The Timbers went into the last three games needing to win and draw at least one each in order to get into the playoffs.
Many in the press said that the Timbers’ goal draught was going to see them miss the playoffs, especially with matches against tough teams like Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy.
Then something crazy happened.
Timbers Coach Caleb Porter made one adjustment, and like a breached dam, the goals came flooding in.
On Oct. 18, facing an away game at LA Galaxy, Porter moved Darlington Nagbe up out of the central midfielder role. This allowed him to run the ball deep and combine with other forward moving players, including Fanendo Adi, Diego Chara, and stiker Maxi Urruti.
That night, the Timbers destroyed the reigning MLS Cup champions 5-2, and they have gone on to win every match since, including an insane knockout match versus Sporting Kansas City.
The soccer of the last few weeks would make a fan out of anybody that watched.
I’d argue that the Timbers have a really good chance at making it to the MLS Cup match this year, so when the next match starts on Nov. 22, come join the crazed throngs of fans and find out what soccer’s about.
In the meantime, don’t drown this weekend if you head out of town, it’s supposed to be the end of the world by flood or something.
