Timbers starting to heat up

After what has been a poor start to the regular season, the Portland Timbers are finally beginning to show signs of improvement on both sides of the field as the fight for a playoff spot begins.

Expectations were off the roof for the Timbers to begin the new season in 2014 with good results, but it was nothing but the opposite for Portland as it took the team two long months before it snatched the first win of the season, going 0-4-4 in that stretch.

The winless streak dragged the Timbers to the bottom of the Western Conference, and they were tied with FC Dallas for the most goals conceded (15), a sign of defensive struggles.

The much-anticipated first win came against DC United, who tied the game with just 12 minutes to go. Just when it seemed likely that Portland’s winless run would continue, Argentina native Maximiliano Urruti scored the game-winner for Portland in the fourth minute of added time.

The homefield momentum did not stay long, as the Timbers managed only a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy one week later, thanks to another stoppage-time goal. Diego Valeri was found open in the box in the dying seconds of the match, and managed to sneak the ball past the goalkeeper, making the sold-out crowd erupt.

With another chance to get the second home win of the season, Portland could only come back in the second half to salvage a 3-3 draw against the Columbus Crew. Columbus took the lead in the 81st minute, just four minutes before Gaston Fernandez scored the equalizer for Portland.

In search of another victory, the Timbers went on a two-game road trip and their first stop was in New York as they took on the Red Bulls. Once again, Urruti put the team on his shoulders, scoring two goals that helped the Timbers come from behind to get their second win of the season, 2-1.

The road trip continued in Los Angeles just four days later, as the Timbers stretched their unbeaten streak to six games with a convincing 2-0 win against Chivas USA. New striker Fanendo Adi, who was acquired on loan from FC Copenhagen just three weeks ago, scored both of Portland’s goals. He found the back of the net off a cross and just six minutes later scored again, off a breakaway.

With the franchise’s first ever two-game road winning streak in the bag and lots of momentum on their side, the Timbers took on the Vancouver Whitecaps last Sunday, in what was a wild Cascadia rivalry match.

Things got off to a good start for Portland as Urriti scored his sixth goal of the season just three minutes in, with a left-footed rocket from just outside the 18-yard box.

Portland was in charge of the match until Diego Chara fouled a Whitecaps player inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. Just ten minutes later, a second penalty kick was called after Jorge Villafana tripped another Whitecaps player inside the box.

Vancouver’s leading scorer, Pedro Morales, scored both penalty kicks and just before half time provided an assist to Erik Hurtado who sent the Whitecaps to the break with a 3-1 lead.

The second half started with another blow, with the Whitecaps scoring another goal. Jordan Harvey got the best of Donovan Rickets with a left-footed shot.

Portland got one goal back in the 77th minute, as Fernandez headed in his sixth goal of the season. Then, with four minutes to go, Adi placed a magnificent juggled volley pass to Will Johnson, who, with another great volley, scored and pulled Portland within one goal.

Portland has rallied many times this season, but the comeback fell short this time as the final whistle blew, giving the Whitecaps the 4-3 win.

Some things worth mention include Argentina native Valeri, who got his seventh assist of the season, making him the MLS leader, while with the two penalty kicks conceded, the Timbers have now the most conceded penalties in all of the MLS, with eight in 2014.

The Timbers look to change things around and get a third straight road win as they play Saturday at Real Salt Lake, starting at 7 p.m.

The last time Portland played in Salt Lake it was handed a tough 1-0 loss on April 19. If Portland comes out attacking RSL from the first whistle, forwards Urruti and Adi, who have been scoring goals for the Timbers, could be the decisive factor.

The road game winning streak will come to an end, however, as I predict Portland will snatch one point only, in a 1-1 draw.