Timbers Tie D.C United 2-2, Germán Berterame DP Deal in Advanced Stages
The Green and Gold gain a point and maintain 1st in the West after losing a 2-0 lead.
The Portland Timbers played a scrappy match against D.C United at Providence Park.
A test for Phil Neville, the Christian Benteke-less D.C United proved their mettle against the Timbers catching up to their 2-0 lead to end the match in a draw showing a relentless attacking display.
Our lineup was essentially the same as last weeks’ with the exception of goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau making his debut for the team. Evander was ruled out because of his recurring lower leg injury, and Felipe Mora was determined not to be fit before the match.
Lineup: POR: GK Crépeau, D Mosquera (Araujo, 85), D McGraw, D K. Miller, D E. Miller (Zuparic, 65), M Chara ©, M Williamson (Ayala, 65), M Paredes, F Antony (Fogaça, 81), F Asprilla, F Moreno
On a chilly Saturday night in Portland, Dairon Asprilla opened up his scoring for the season with a 17th minute strike originating from a Santiago Moreno cross into the box.
The second goal came in the second half at the 60th minute from Santi himself, running in from the right side to score receiving a lob from Eric Miller during a free kick set piece.
D.C United held on however, and converted a penalty in the 72nd minute after a handball from Diego Chara.
The final nail in the coffin came when United right-back Aaron Herrera stormed through a wide open left side, crossing it to Kristian Fletcher to tie the game.
D.C United had outplayed us for most of the match, with the Timbers being on the defensive end of a very hungry D.C United side. United had 58% of possession, and dominated shooting with eight shots on goal from 12 shot attempts as well as having eight corner kicks to the Timbers’ four. Portland found it difficult to find any traction in the passing game, and at times looked like visitors in their home stadium not being able to take control of the match. While United had most of the chances, we at least showed our efficiency scoring two from our three shot attempts.
One of the main reasons for the slip in play was in the tactics. The Timbers played in a four-four-two before switching to a three man defensive line in the 65th minute, subbing defender Dario Zuparic in for Eric Miller and midfielder David Ayala in for Eryk Williamson. United took advantage and had most of their shot attempts come in the period between this substitution and the reversal back to a four man back line with right-back Miguel Araujo being subbed on for Juan David Mosquera. Their equalizer came as a result of forward Nathan Fogaça being subbed on for Antony who was playing as a left wing-back, with Nathan occupying space at the top while leaving the left midfield open. The idea of the three man backline was speculated in the preseason, and the experiment simply didn’t work this time around.
Coach Phil Neville commented on this change in his post match interview, saying he made the tactical switch in an attempt to “change the rhythm of the game” and didn’t feel it allowed United to score from the change alone.
Another factor was in our depth. Eryk Williamson didn’t look great in the #10 role, and often got clogged up with the play running through him and the midfield while dealing with an aggressive D.C defense leading to multiple turnovers. While Williamson didn’t capture the magic of the last match, Evander couldn’t have done any better trying to work with United’s suffocating defense, and his return will allow Williamson to be in his more comfortable position next to Chara further back. Asprilla doesn’t look that comfortable in the #9 position despite his goal, and the new DP whoever it may be should help fill out the depth of the attacking front. Neville also commented on the depth factor saying it’s “hard to fill a bench” at the moment, emphasizing the issue.
The referees were also a factor. Playing with replacement referees while the PRSA is currently at a stalemate with the League sponsored PRO, they officiated with some questionable calls and lacked consistency, an example being when Diego Chara was handed a yellow card for a reasonably routine tackle, but having no action taken when a D.C United player virtually put him in a choke hold. It seems we lucked out with last weeks’ tolerable officiating, and the MLS not coming to an agreement with PRSA is only going to end in more disaster and dangerous calls down the line.
Maxime Crépeau was the man of the match, and somehow played even better than James Pantemis last week. Spending the last week in Barbados waiting for his green card, his Timbers debut didn’t disappoint as he tallied six saves in a strong defensive display keeping United’s attackers largely at bay. He was the reason the Timbers made it out with a draw and as commented on by Neville, this team may have been on the losing end rather than the drawing one just two years ago.
There’s other positives to take away from this match, including being top of the Western Conference table with four points without fielding any designated players. This is also the first time Timbers scored multiple goals in the first two games of the season, an attacking display that’s been ignited by Santiago Moreno and Antony.
The defenders individually played well, with Zac McGraw being a standout. Kamal Miller has some room for improvement but is beginning to fit into the system playing his second match as a Timber.
Diego Chara was his usual self on a milestone night, gaining an early yellow card in the match tying the MLS record for second most appearances with one team, a spot he’s expected to gain next week and a record he should top by the end of the season.
In the end, the early season Timbers got a point out of a game that, under different circumstances, they could’ve easily lost. For once the franchise is off to a hot start, maintaining their place atop the Western Conference, and if there’s a time to try and experiment tactically it’s now. Neville knows what he’s doing, and the main takeaway of this match is it’s a stepping stone to greater success down the line.
The Timbers play their next match away against NYCFC on Saturday, March 9th with a slated 11am kickoff time. The match will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ and on radio at 750 The Game.
Timbers in Advanced Talks For CF Monterrey’s Germán Berterame
The designated player speculation heated up when it was reported that the Timbers are in advanced talks to purchase CF Monterrey striker Germán Berterame for $15 million.
In a potentially historic deal, the price tag would be the most expensive deal in Timbers’ history as well as tied for the third largest in MLS history.
The 25 year old Argentine is one of the best strikers in Liga MX, winning a shared Golden Boot in 2021 and earned an all-star spot in 2022. Berterame has 48 goals across five seasons in Liga MX, and fits the criteria of a young, franchise altering center-forward that the club has been anticipating. His highlights from last season’s 14 goal performance his here:
His main strength is his natural instincts as a striker, being at the right place at the right time to score primarily from inside the box receiving passes from his wingers and the midfield. He also has skills on set pieces being able to win headers from corner kicks, something that Neville had mentioned before as a skill the Timbers’ lacked.
Playing between the triangle of Antony, Moreno, and Evander would be a dream scenario, and Berterame would follow the Timbers’ tradition of great Argentinian forwards with the likes of Diego Valeri and Sebastián Blanco.
Berterame’s current club CF Monterrey is reluctant of the move, reportedly urging him to stay as the club are in two different competitions currently.
Club América’s Jonathan Rodriguez is the Timbers’ second choice and is also in advanced talks if their number one target Berterame falls through.
The Timbers have yet to announce any action and were expected to announce a move this weekend, with the team going over the “7-10 day” time frame that General Manager Ned Grabavoy mentioned multiple times at different press conferences.
If the Berterame deal goes through, the Timbers would be in the best shape they’ve been in years. He would have the potential to make an immediate impact, and is joining a team that’s already showing playoff potential at least. His youth and experience in Mexico’s first tier is valuable and the organization would easily get their money’s worth. Rodriguez would also be a worthy addition, and the club even having these conversations displays a hunger to win and compete in a new MLS.
The organization has done all the right things so far this season, and that goes for on and off the pitch. This has to be the most exciting time to be a Timbers supporter in awhile, and it only goes up from here.
Thanks again for an accurate and evenhanded write-up, Ross.
Interesting to me that PTFC experienced a MAJOR variance in officials' competence in the first 2 matches. Have other MLS teams/fan media reported anything about it?
Really, those officials - CR's inability to call the match consistently, the ARs general incompetence at line calls and flagging fouls - gave a large unearned advantage to DCU, a team that presses very hard with LOTS of heavy contact and plays 'dump and chase hockey' offense.