Club-Record Start Leaves Portland Timbers Wanting More

Written by Patrick Echatah

With their 4-2 victory over the LA Galaxy to wrap up Matchday 10 action on Sunday night, Portland Timbers have plenty to celebrate.

More Details

With 18 points, Portland have the best start to an MLS season and are now ranked second in the Western Conference. They are tied for the league lead with 20 goals scored and have gone seven games without a loss.

However, after watching a 3-0 lead nearly vanish before Jonathan Rodríguez’s penalty shot in the 76th minute clinched all three points, head coach Phil Neville adopted a significantly more sombre tone in his post-game press conference at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“You’re 3-0 up in a game and you’re leaving defenders 4-v-2, 4-v-3 at the back,” Neville said. “That’s not game management.

“So that’s why I’m angry and at this moment in time, I can’t enjoy the victory because that’s not what we’ve prepared, that’s not what we’ve practiced.

“That’s not what we’ve taught them. It’s one of those things as a coach and teacher where you’ve got to keep drilling it into them.”

Read Also – Noah Lyles: America’s Ultimate Showman

Neville, however, continues to have faith in the Timbers’ ability to succeed this season and holds them to a higher standard than just an attack-oriented, free-flowing team.

“We’re a young team with phenomenal talent, with great energy, with incredible courage to play,” Neville said. “With young players, we’ve just got to keep their feet on the ground and keep moving forward.

“Some of our counter-attacking play was sensational. The courage to play was really good. The spirit of everybody from one to 20 was so good. And we’re a team that’s continuing to learn and improve. There’s still so much to go.”

Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

Bookmark (0)

Please login to bookmark