Steven Taylor’s Positive Impact on the Portland Timbers
Since joining the Portland Timbers this summer, former Premier League defender, Steven Taylor, has had a positive impact on the team.
The Portland Timbers acquired longtime Newcastle United center back, Steven Taylor, during the summer transfer window on a free transfer. His deal was not extended after Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League last season. This opened up the chance for the defender to move stateside to Major League Soccer.
Taylor had a nightmare beginning to his career with Portland as he made multiple mistakes for the reserves team and was subbed off after only an hour of game time. Since that disastrous appearance, Steven has been solid for the Timbers in MLS play. The veteran defender has added experience and strength to the backline of the reigning MLS Cup champions.
The Portland Timbers were in a tough spot before singing Taylor as they had lost Nat Borchers to a season ending achilles injury. Borchers was one of their most important players and one for he best center backs in the league. They needed to replace his production on defense and Taylor has been a welcome sight for the most part.
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The team has partnered the England international alongside Liam Ridgewell as their two center backs. Ridgewell is also from England and has experience in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and West Bromwich Albion. Although the team has allowed six goals in four MLS regular season matches, the Timbers are 3-1 in those four games.
The 30-year old’s most impressive performance came in his debut with the team against their rivals in the Seattle Sounders. The team won the match 4-2 but Steven scored when his header found the back of the net. His debut was spectacular and set the fans at Providence Park into a frenzy.
With Portland’s current form, the team is now in fifth place in the Western Conference as they are six points above the red line. After some earlier season scares that the Timbers might miss out on postseason play, Taylor has helped them turn things around and be in contention for the MLS Cup once again. Even though they have allowed 45 goals this season, they recorded a shutout against Real Salt Lake and only allowed one goal in their win against the Philadelphia Union.
It will be interesting to see how Taylor plays for the Timbers down the stretch of the regular season. He will be vital to Portland’s success as they are hoping to hoist another MLS Cup this year. With Ridgewell and Borcher’s contracts set to expire at the end of the season, Steven could be an important player for years to come.