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Portland Drops First Match of the Season Against Columbus

By Mark Shannon

Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers pose for a starting 11 photo before the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. the Columbus Crew SC beat Portland Timbers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers pose for a starting 11 photo before the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. the Columbus Crew SC beat Portland Timbers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Columbus avenges 2015 Cup Final loss with big 3-2 win over Portland Timbers.

Portland Timbers suffer their first loss of season in rematch of 2015 MLS Cup Final. While both sides traded goals, the Crew would get the win after Niko Hansen would score his first ever MLS goals.

While it was the first loss of the season for the Timbers, the Crew put the league on notice with their performance. It was the first return to the scene of their championship triumph in 2015 for the Timbers and Fanendo Adi would once again score for the Timbers. Here are three things that Timbers fans can takeaway from Saturday’s match:

Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) celebrates his goal in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) celebrates his goal in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Legend of Adi continues to grow

Fanendo Adi continues to score goals. Once Adi gets in front of goal there’s no stopping him, and his goal further solidified that.  Back toward goal, turns and fires top corner…..sounds familiar. So now he has 45 career MLS goals and puts him into a tie atop Portlands all-time scoring list.

When Fanendo Adi is going so are the Portland Timbers.  He’s a great target man up-front for the likes of Sebastian Blanco, and Diego Valeri.  He creates space for the midfielders to be a little more creative and that makes Portland as good as they are.

First loss to the season

The Timbers started off the season 3-0 and were early league leaders with nine points. Also they were on a tear scoring 12 goals through the first three games. But Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri weren’t given much time and space to create like they were able to do in the earlier games.

While it was the first loss of the season for the Timbers, it shouldn’t be dwelled upon, and they should get right back at it this weekend against the Revolution.  The season is still long and with so many games left the Timbers can once again make it to the top of the mountain.

Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi (9) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first half of the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Loss is just a small setback

While they did lose their first game of the season, it is still a long season. So the Timbers will have to bounce back in their next game if they hope to get back in the win column. And it’s just a minor hiccup in the road to making it back to the MLS Cup Final again.

While a loss is a loss there was still plenty to look toward for the Timbers.  They created a lot of chances including Diego Valeri’s rocket that hit the post.  So this game could have been a different outcome had the Timbers buried their chances in front of goal.

The Timbers will now look ahead to their matchup against the Revolution on April 2nd.

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