Timbers coach is turning Portland into ‘Porterland’

The Portland Timbers opened the 2013 season with a 3-3 draw on Sunday with a critical two-goal second half comeback against the New York Red Bulls.

While the result was a disappointment of sorts for their fans, the Timbers showed promise through a difficult first match.

They showed a new toughness, motivation and passion. In the past two seasons they have been known to allow goals both very early and late in games. Last year they managed only one victory on the road, in 17 tries. They also were proven susceptible to teams out-possessing them, outshooting them and being tougher down the stretch in many matches.

In the first contest of 2013, almost all these deficiencies had vanished. The three goals allowed Sunday were all related to defensive breakdowns between new and old players who had never played together. Other than those mistakes, they had twice as many shots on goal and 63% possession of the ball, and allowed no goals in the second half.

This is the reason why the Timbers brought on their new head coach: a new playing style, new mindset and a new beginning. With critics claiming that the Timbers have almost no chance to make the playoffs this year, the players answered with a tough draw against one of the better teams in the league.

The Timbers Army featured a revamped sign that points to the future of the club. The old sign that simply read “Portland” in large plain, individual letters now spells “Porterland.”

If the players can commit to the coach, his playing style and his passion, there is more than hope that this team can go far.

In previous seasons the Timbers organization was committed to one or two high-caliber players and hoped they would fit the style of play, as well as their new home. With both players (Kenny Cooper and Kris Boyd) falling short of expectations, they soon departed, leaving the Timbers in disappointment.

Cooper and Boyd displayed behavior frustrating for the Timbers fans and staff alike. Consistently, their effort would decrease further and further into the match and the worse chances were of Portland winning, the more the two seemed not to care.

The most recent high-profile acquisitions made by the Timbers add not only veteran leadership, but experience in some of the foremost leagues in the world. It seems they might have finally found players who are dedicated and driven to win. These players are foreigners Diego Valeri, Mikael Silvestre and Frederic Piquionne, as well as Ryan Johnson, whom they acquired in a trade from MLS rival Toronto FC.

The combination of veteran leaders, talented young players and a desire to win is what’s needed to propel the Timbers to greatness in the next few seasons.

Porter is happy to take on the role of head coach and is optimistic for the team. After a preseason match last month, he said, “We’re trying to create a new legacy here. If we play like we (just) did, we are going to win a lot of games this year.”