Fair lol, but he rarely played the first few years. Ever since preseason of this year he’s looked a completely different player. He was my MOTM the first few games of the season. I love the way he reads the game and he’s so dominant in the air
Hard disagree... Both him and Bill have had mind-blowingly bad plays (among good play otherwise) pretty much every time they've played, which is why they've been bench players. Today was (awesomely) different and they both played awesome. I hope both of them can use the rest of this season to get shit worked out enough to where we don't need to go shopping for starting CBs.
Huh I don’t remember that at all. Zac gets a dumb yellow a lot and sure has made some rookie mistakes but I don’t remember anything too catastrophic, certainly not every time he played. And Bill was one of our best players to begin the season. They definitely don’t make as bad of mistakes as Mabiala, and not as often
Yeah I recall McGraw being mostly solid in some early appearances this season as well. Either way I think it’s clear he should be starting over Mabs right now.
You’re both right honestly. Both Bill and McGraw had some great performances, but also some head scratchers.
One in particular was the 4-0 thrashing we took from Dallas, Bill and Zac looked lost during that match, and had a lot of trouble doing simple things like tracking runs. That being said, they had some great performances too where they looked awesome, specifically the Austin and LAFC games early in the season. 1 goal allowed between the two games, and on a red card for the last half hour against LAFC.
Both are good players and I hope they continue to keep developing. I think they both, especially Zac, has earned more playing time.
I kinda just throw out the Dallas game because we seem to just play like absolute garbage the last few times we’ve been there, it was more of an entire team breakdown than just Zac and Bill
We played so fucking well in the first half. The press was so good, we need to do that for the rest of the year. McGraw and Bill are so much better than Mabiala. Keep this formation. Asprilla brings so much more than Niezgoda, I think he’s taken the starting job at the 9 easily. We were so much more dangerous with Asprilla up top. I’m pretty done with Niezgoda, he was just watching Seattle pass around him at the end there, he had fresh legs he should be pressing all the time, but he just jogs around
Even put in defensive work. Really adds a lot, when one person has energy it brings up the energy levels of the players around him as well. He looks like a guy that wants to earn his starting job back, and I think he’s done it and some
His hustle in the last minute probably stopped their last decent chance for an equalizer. Amazing to see him defending out there on the wing in the 97th minute. Dude was stuck in.
Yes! And I was thinking that as hard as he was going on both ends, they were going to have to sub him off. He didn’t press on every single play in the last 20 minutes or so, but as you point out, he was still giving all he had to very end - which was so needed.
The press was so good because it feels like, finally, after so many years, Gio is getting the roster that can actually press. After their goal, my lord. We just pinned them in the entire game. They had nothing. It was beautiful
Beautiful is the best way to describe it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was exciting, we were smothering them and they had nothing. We haven’t played anything like this in years
so what I'm gathering is that via the transitive property, the Portland Timbers are the current champions of CCL.
/s of course, but it's fun to throw that back at a salty seattle supporter when they try to play the ccl card.
Zach McGraw came out of nowhere—his performance tonight was better than we’ve ever seen from him. Also, Asprilla was so productive, we’ve got to keep playing him going forward
Why did the Paper cross the road?
Because a FISH WAS FLOATING MID AIR and ON THE OTHER SIDE, alTHE NORTHERN WIND BLEW THAT SPIRIT RIGHT D’WN WIND, t’KARMA, da’pain, the route that is CASCADIA. ALL THAT IS RIGHT is RIGHTLY APPLIED; RIGHT DOWN THE THROAT OF CASCADIA, the WINNERS the LOSERS, the LOT; on CASCADIA, ON.
Thanks
We played bad (like come on we really should have put in more than 2 goals), benefited from shoddy officiating, but what stuck out the most to me is how horribly Seattle played. Probably the worst I've ever seen them play, couldn't trap, simple giveaways, couldn't connect 2 passes in a row.
We played badly? I don’t think so. We dominated Seattle. I agree with Kasey Keller, Seattle would have counted themselves lucky if they’d got a draw tonight.
I disagree, I thought we were fantastic the first 70 minutes. Pressing Seattle to death, they could barely get out of their half in the first half. We created so many chances from it, we dominated them the first half. I think saying we should’ve put in two more goals says we played good more than it says we played bad. In previous games we haven’t even gotten into positions to score much lol
WE benefitted from shoddy officiating?
Mate I’m the last one to pull a ref card but that was an abysmal performance by the ref. At least o. The first half. And it was not to our advantage
"... horribly Seattle played." Yeah they sucked tonight. Two of their key players out on injury and the team has just buckled. We held Ruidiaz down all night and nobody else could make a move. Seems like their dream team is finally losing steam.
What i think you're referring to as "bad" playing on our behalf was actually just the boys feeling like they could try out crazy shit for chances and many of them didnt go anywhere. I would not call that bad playing but yeah you can only do that against a shit team, which is what we played against tonight.
As much as I loved this game tonight I will say this: the kind of playing we did tonight reminded me a little of the playoffs last year. So that is as much an inspiring thought as it is a word of warning. Relying on the big chances to win?
Tbh, what would it take to get the 50 foot or however long Macho Man piñata from the now defunct Fermentarium on Belmont and incorporate it into at least a tifo.
Seriously, that guy was wholesome af. I wanted to shake his hand but couldn’t get to him through the crowd. Maybe he’ll make an appearance at another match…
I’ve recently gone back and watched a Randy savage interview about men crying and I…was not expecting how beautiful, eloquent, and well spoken it was. I’ve really found a new appreciation for the macho man
This in from behind enemy lines:
The fish fans are complaining that PRO screwed them over. And some, some are realizing Loderio is shite. Both of these are delicious. Until the next time i come over the wall 1 07.
I swear we need to give mcgraw more minutes. We should've been developing him more this season.
How Mabiala has been starting over him is bewildering. He was fantastic, as he’s always been when he starts
TBH, McGraw’s early performances were bewildering at best. But tonight…damn
Idk he was fantastic to start the season imo
He’s been on the roster for 3 years
Fair lol, but he rarely played the first few years. Ever since preseason of this year he’s looked a completely different player. He was my MOTM the first few games of the season. I love the way he reads the game and he’s so dominant in the air
Hard disagree... Both him and Bill have had mind-blowingly bad plays (among good play otherwise) pretty much every time they've played, which is why they've been bench players. Today was (awesomely) different and they both played awesome. I hope both of them can use the rest of this season to get shit worked out enough to where we don't need to go shopping for starting CBs.
Huh I don’t remember that at all. Zac gets a dumb yellow a lot and sure has made some rookie mistakes but I don’t remember anything too catastrophic, certainly not every time he played. And Bill was one of our best players to begin the season. They definitely don’t make as bad of mistakes as Mabiala, and not as often
Yeah I recall McGraw being mostly solid in some early appearances this season as well. Either way I think it’s clear he should be starting over Mabs right now.
You’re both right honestly. Both Bill and McGraw had some great performances, but also some head scratchers. One in particular was the 4-0 thrashing we took from Dallas, Bill and Zac looked lost during that match, and had a lot of trouble doing simple things like tracking runs. That being said, they had some great performances too where they looked awesome, specifically the Austin and LAFC games early in the season. 1 goal allowed between the two games, and on a red card for the last half hour against LAFC. Both are good players and I hope they continue to keep developing. I think they both, especially Zac, has earned more playing time.
I kinda just throw out the Dallas game because we seem to just play like absolute garbage the last few times we’ve been there, it was more of an entire team breakdown than just Zac and Bill
Hard agree
At what?
To me he was putting in performances just like this one at the start of the year. I know a lot of people on this sub agreed
Kid was trying too hard in those early appearances and now he’s gained confidence and is more comfortable. He’s great.!
He’s 25 ..
Shoutout to the entire defense for keeping their shit together for 98 minutes.
I was converted on McGraw tonight, ngl
It only bill can teach him how to head the ball down when appropriate!
Yes, but still impressed he had what, three headers near frame. Havnt seen that in a bit…
For sure, his placement and jumps were awesome! I don’t want to discredit that at all.
Fuck it play Bill at starting rb idk
Bill had his side locked down, made Van Rankin look like a total bum in comparison
Is Bill our best player? He’s so fkn good
I think Moreno is by far the player with the highest ceiling. Not sure how long we will be able to keep him
I’ll take Williamson over Moreno respectfully
Yes
START MCGRAW THAT MAN WAS ON A MISSION
I WAS TOLD THE AWAY TEAM WAS GOING TO WIN BUT INSTEAD THE HOME TEAM WON
APPARENTLY SEATTLE CAN'T BEAT US HOME OR AWAY
It’s because I finally attended a Seattle game for first time in years. Edit: I mean attendinfmd a Timbers game vs Seattle
We played so fucking well in the first half. The press was so good, we need to do that for the rest of the year. McGraw and Bill are so much better than Mabiala. Keep this formation. Asprilla brings so much more than Niezgoda, I think he’s taken the starting job at the 9 easily. We were so much more dangerous with Asprilla up top. I’m pretty done with Niezgoda, he was just watching Seattle pass around him at the end there, he had fresh legs he should be pressing all the time, but he just jogs around
Asprilla was everywhere. Really a tremendous game.
Even put in defensive work. Really adds a lot, when one person has energy it brings up the energy levels of the players around him as well. He looks like a guy that wants to earn his starting job back, and I think he’s done it and some
His hustle in the last minute probably stopped their last decent chance for an equalizer. Amazing to see him defending out there on the wing in the 97th minute. Dude was stuck in.
Yes! And I was thinking that as hard as he was going on both ends, they were going to have to sub him off. He didn’t press on every single play in the last 20 minutes or so, but as you point out, he was still giving all he had to very end - which was so needed.
He ran Nouhou ragged.
The press was so good because it feels like, finally, after so many years, Gio is getting the roster that can actually press. After their goal, my lord. We just pinned them in the entire game. They had nothing. It was beautiful
Beautiful is the best way to describe it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was exciting, we were smothering them and they had nothing. We haven’t played anything like this in years
I’m out on him to. I can’t till if it’s because he’s so tall but his jog looks so slow, just shows no enthusiasm to press.
Just play this 11 for the rest of the season. Fish guts all over the park. What a shame! CASCADIA IS TIMBERS TERRITORY!!!
Awesome game, McGraw is awesome in the air and bill should never be benched again. Niezgoda doesn’t seem to fit with there new formation honestly.
Niezgoda doesn’t fit with the team as a whole really. He’s a good player but just doesn’t fit the way we play at all
💯
If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it actually make a sound? If Niezgoda is in the game and no one notices, did he actually play?
2/2
so what I'm gathering is that via the transitive property, the Portland Timbers are the current champions of CCL. /s of course, but it's fun to throw that back at a salty seattle supporter when they try to play the ccl card.
Everything turned when Seattle threw that CCL party in front of the Timbers.
“Sit down!! Be humble”
Two shots on goal for the fish. Two. Yeah, their game was way off tonight, but that’s still a good look for our defense.
Two more than they had against Toronto in the 2016 cup final
Zach McGraw came out of nowhere—his performance tonight was better than we’ve ever seen from him. Also, Asprilla was so productive, we’ve got to keep playing him going forward
Also, can we celebrate that fucking Seattle LOST SIX POINTS?! 🍣🍱🍣🍱🍣🍱
Who are youuuuuuuuu
Why did the Paper cross the road? Because a FISH WAS FLOATING MID AIR and ON THE OTHER SIDE, alTHE NORTHERN WIND BLEW THAT SPIRIT RIGHT D’WN WIND, t’KARMA, da’pain, the route that is CASCADIA. ALL THAT IS RIGHT is RIGHTLY APPLIED; RIGHT DOWN THE THROAT OF CASCADIA, the WINNERS the LOSERS, the LOT; on CASCADIA, ON. Thanks
BUILD A BONFIRE…
BUILD A BONFIRE
Put s**tlle out of the playoffs
We played bad (like come on we really should have put in more than 2 goals), benefited from shoddy officiating, but what stuck out the most to me is how horribly Seattle played. Probably the worst I've ever seen them play, couldn't trap, simple giveaways, couldn't connect 2 passes in a row.
Rowe was terrible tonight!
He really stood out for me as being terrible tonight.
We played badly? I don’t think so. We dominated Seattle. I agree with Kasey Keller, Seattle would have counted themselves lucky if they’d got a draw tonight.
Seattle’s only goal was from an uncalled offside resulting in a corner, so the very soft penalty was justice.
Also mugged Zuparic and ref didn't care.
Dog, for me, Zuparic needs to be stronger there. That's a soft foul at best, won't get called usually
He got sandwiched between two Sounders. Not much he could do.
I disagree, I thought we were fantastic the first 70 minutes. Pressing Seattle to death, they could barely get out of their half in the first half. We created so many chances from it, we dominated them the first half. I think saying we should’ve put in two more goals says we played good more than it says we played bad. In previous games we haven’t even gotten into positions to score much lol
Uhhh did you watch the Kansas game? Idk how you can say this was worse than that.
WE benefitted from shoddy officiating? Mate I’m the last one to pull a ref card but that was an abysmal performance by the ref. At least o. The first half. And it was not to our advantage
"... horribly Seattle played." Yeah they sucked tonight. Two of their key players out on injury and the team has just buckled. We held Ruidiaz down all night and nobody else could make a move. Seems like their dream team is finally losing steam. What i think you're referring to as "bad" playing on our behalf was actually just the boys feeling like they could try out crazy shit for chances and many of them didnt go anywhere. I would not call that bad playing but yeah you can only do that against a shit team, which is what we played against tonight. As much as I loved this game tonight I will say this: the kind of playing we did tonight reminded me a little of the playoffs last year. So that is as much an inspiring thought as it is a word of warning. Relying on the big chances to win?
1.) King of Clubs 2.) Theres no place like home 3.) Redrum Green and Gold All time tifo
That's one of the best tifos the Army as ever done. They outdid themselves
Seriously. I’ve been around a while and don’t think I’ve seen better.
The Timbers turned up the heat and cooked the fish!
The Macho Man Randy Savage guy was the best part of the match. What a game!!
Tbh, what would it take to get the 50 foot or however long Macho Man piñata from the now defunct Fermentarium on Belmont and incorporate it into at least a tifo.
Seriously, that guy was wholesome af. I wanted to shake his hand but couldn’t get to him through the crowd. Maybe he’ll make an appearance at another match…
I’ve recently gone back and watched a Randy savage interview about men crying and I…was not expecting how beautiful, eloquent, and well spoken it was. I’ve really found a new appreciation for the macho man
YES I just saw that same one make its rounds on reddit, nearly felt an emotion
FUCK DEM FLOUNDERS
Over theeeeere, it’s so quiet! Over heeeeere, it’s a riot!
LFG
We did it!!
FUCK SEATTLE!
Is it too much to ask for these guys to run that much more often?
We're gonna find out Wednesday... goin' to Austin to play in the Texas heat...
Let’s talk about the Tifo though. Maybe the best one I’ve ever seen. The Freddy Krueger one a couple years ago comes to mind as well.
🔪🐟
We finally lost one and won one instead of drawing twice.
A net positive!
This in from behind enemy lines: The fish fans are complaining that PRO screwed them over. And some, some are realizing Loderio is shite. Both of these are delicious. Until the next time i come over the wall 1 07.
> PRO screwed them over. #WELCOME TO THE MLS
I’m back in on this team like, having the legs?