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Portland Timbers: Homecoming just what’s needed

By Adnan Bašić

PORTLAND, OR - JULY 19: Portland Timbers defender Roy Miller and Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak fight for possession during the Real Salt Lake 4-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on July 19, 2017 at Providence Park, Portland, OR (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).
PORTLAND, OR - JULY 19: Portland Timbers defender Roy Miller and Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak fight for possession during the Real Salt Lake 4-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on July 19, 2017 at Providence Park, Portland, OR (Photo by Diego Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). /
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The Portland Timbers have finally come back home after an extended road trip, and a return to Providence Park might be the spark the Timbers needed

Home is where the heart is, and a homecoming for the Portland Timbers might be just what the team needed to kick start their 2018 season.

The Timbers were forced to start the season with an extended road trip due to renovations with their stadium. Construction at Providence Park begun at the end of last year, starting soon after Thanksgiving. The city of Portland allocated over $55 million for the renovations, which will add roughly 4,000 extra seats to the stadium. It is a needed update, as the Timbers easily sold out every home game, and should easily fill the extra space when it comes.

To demonstrate this point, Portland already has 13,000 fans on the season ticket waiting list. Construction should be completed before the start of the 2019 season, which will only improve the stadiums already fantastic atmosphere.

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However, this season saw the Timbers get off to a nightmare start, especially considering the club’s lofty expectations. They opened up the season with an away trip to LA to face a Galaxy team that was much-improved over the off-season.

Portland conceded two sloppy goals early on, and couldn’t recover, even after grabbing one back with plenty of time left. The week after was even worse, as Portland faced the Red Bulls away from home. New York had rested certain starters for the matchup, as they were in the midst of their CONCACAF Champions League campaign.

However, that ended up making things more embarrassing for the Portland Timbers, who were smashed 4-0. They finally got their first point of the season away to Dallas, having to play the final quarter hour of the game down a man after Lawrence Olum was sent off. Portland thought they were set to pick up their opening win of the season against Chicago, but the Fire grabbed a late equalizer to keep the Timbers off the win column for yet another week.

The next game saw Portland face an away trip for Orlando. They grabbed a 2-0 lead to start, and maintained that lead until the 80th minute. However, the Timbers imploded, conceding three goals in seven minutes, and ended up leaving the sunshine state with nothing. After five games, Portland only had two points, and were second to last in the entire league standings.

Against Minnesota, the Portland Timbers were finally able to pick up their first win of the season. They got off to an electric start, scoring twice in the span of three minutes during the first half. Nerves began to rise later on, as Minnesota DP signing Darwin Quintero was able to half the deficit for the away side.

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However, those worries were calmed down, as Portland responded perfectly, as Fanendo Adi grabbed his first goal of the season to restore the two goal advantage. Minnesota made a final push late on, scoring a second five minutes from full time, but Portland were able to hold them off to secure the vital three points.

Now, as the road trip is over, the upcoming Timbers schedule shows signs of promise. Portland will host five out of their next seven fixtures, only having to travel to face Western Conference sides San Jose and Colorado. The home fixtures look especially tasty, including a Cascadia Cup clash against the Seattle Sounders.

This Timbers team is full of talent, and can easily start up a long win streak. Diego Valeri was the MLS MVP last season, and Sebastián Blanco will only improve in his sophomore year in the league. Star striker Fernando Adi seems to have shaken the injury problems that took him out for the end of last season, and should score a bunch of goals with the supporting cast behind him.

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The Portland Timbers needed a spark to revitalize their 2018 season, and this return home might be just what the team needed to fly back up the MLS standings.

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