Behold: The year’s first Cascadian derby
by Matt Hoffman
The Timbers and Whitecaps have always enjoyed a brotherly rivalry. The teams entered MLS together and have long labored for the the number two spot under the Sounders. Who is number two is up for debate: The Caps have made the playoffs twice, but as the high seed always destined to be bounced early. The Timbers meanwhile nearly won the Supporter’s Shield and managed to get past the play-in game in their one postseason appearance.
While the Whitecaps may have won back-to-back Cascadia Cups, Vancouver has only beaten Portland once in 11 games.
In fact, Vancouver has never beaten Portland north of the border. The last time the Timbers played at BC Place was a 3-0 Timbers win. Let’s not forget that it was Portland who spoiled the opening of Vancouver’s BC Place in 2011. When Portland won the 2012 Cascadia Cup? They cup clincher was played in Vancouver.
So while Vancouver may have had the most recent laugh–beating the Timbers by a point in 2014 to secure the last playoff spot–head-to-head it’s all Portland.
Vancouver hopes recent momentum might turn the tables against the Timbers. After losing their first match 3-1 to Toronto, Vancouver has gone on the road and clinching two clean sheets despite an arduous trip into and out of Orlando.
Carl Robinson compared his team’s trip to Orlando to the seminal 1987 John Candy vehicle.
Describing the process of getting to the Citrus Bowl as something out of “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” where, as Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said, “Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong,” the Whitecaps did emerge with a last-gasp game-winner.
The catalyst for the Whitecaps has been newcomer Octavio Rivero. The Designated Player for Uruguay has scored a goal in each of his games it’s safe to say they are happy with the level of production. In possibly related news, the team is taking a look at one his countrymen.
Robinson has stated that he’s not afraid to rotate the squad and he may be forced to do that before he really wants to as international play, injuries and the club’s aggressive play may be catching up with the club.
The league’s Disciplinary Committee has Kekuta Manneh for Saturday’s fixture on account of an aggressive two-footed lunge last week in Orlando. Robinson insisted his team is not dirty and that he will personally see to it that his players will be penalized should they endanger an opponent.
Robinson told assembled media outlets this week that Mauro Rosales is unlikely to appear on Saturday. Meanwhile it was defender Kendal Waston, of all people, who revealed that Diego Rodriguez will also miss Saturday’s match to suspension.
Despite the road wariness and the loss of players, it remains a rivalry match so don’t expect either side to pull any punches. Especially as the Timbers are winless in three games. Yes, they haven’t lost but there’s no question that the Timbers are quickly losing ground in the West.
The emphasis on matching physicality with physicality plus the need to get a positive result were evident in remarks made after training by former Timber now Whitecaps defender Pa Mouda Kah: “We expect [the Timbers]to attack .. that is their mentality.”
The Timbers may have Alvas Powell back in time for the match which, if so, is a huge boon to the visitors. Because even without Manneh, the Whitecaps have enough horses in the stable to keep the Timbers fullbacks honest.
The game will ultimately come down to which side’s Number 10 can best link with his sides DP talent. For Vancouver, that’s Pedro Morales continuing to find Rivero. For Portland? Most likely Darlington Nagbe using his dribbling and spacing to find Fanendo Adi.
However there remains a distinct feeling that scoreless draw seems imminent. Both teams have combined to average less than a goal a game and while we can’t necessary call the Timbers, ‘bunkering’, there’s a certain sense of pragmatism permeating onto the streets of SW Morrison.
That’s not a result either team (nor it’s fan) want, but given the teams’ next opponents (hosting LA for the ‘Caps, against FC Dallas for the Timbers), it simply is not out of the realm of possibility.
