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Portland Timbers Vs Nashville SC: 3 things to watch for – Unleash Yimmi Chara

By Jeremiah Braeback

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: Yimmi Chara #23 of the Portland Timbers brings the ball up the pitch on Robin Lod #17 of Minnesota United during the second half at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 01: Yimmi Chara #23 of the Portland Timbers brings the ball up the pitch on Robin Lod #17 of Minnesota United during the second half at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: Yimmi Chara #23 of the Portland Timbers brings the ball up the pitch on Robin Lod #17 of Minnesota United during the second half at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: Yimmi Chara #23 of the Portland Timbers brings the ball up the pitch on Robin Lod #17 of Minnesota United during the second half at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

On Sunday, the Portland Timbers face MLS new boys Nashville SC at Providence Park. Here are three things to watch for as Gio Savarese looks to get his attack in shape.

On Sunday afternoon, the Portland Timbers welcome newcomers Nashville SC to Providence Park for their second match of the young MLS season.

In the opening weekend, the Timbers fell to Minnesota United 3-1 in what was an underwhelming start for a team that entered the season after a highly encouraging offseason with high expectations of the year to come. Meanwhile, Nashville fell 2-1 to Atlanta United in a record-setting introduction for the expansion team.

Here are three things to look out for when the Portland Timbers face off with Nashville SC.

MLS, Minnesota United
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 01: Angelo Rodriguez #9 of Minnesota United celebrates with Ethan Finlay #13 and Jan Gregus #8 after a goal during the second half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on March 01, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota won 3-1. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

3. Play a full 90 minutes

For the first 45 minutes of their match against the Loons, the Portland Timbers looked dominant. In every statistical category, they were the superior, from shots to possession, to passes to overall control of the game. Then Minnesota found the back of the net in the 51st minute, and while Diego Valeri responded from the penalty spot a few minutes later,  the match opened up and the Timbers become painfully stretched defensively. The Loons quickly took advantage in another quick sequence 20 minutes later, putting the match out of reach for the Timbers.

This is not a new problem for the Timbers.  They often start matches on the front foot, then find themselves susceptible to the counter-attack, give up a goal against the run of play, and find themselves fighting against the tide for the remainder of the match. As they continue to push, opponents become more compact and they struggle to break down the opposing defense, only opening up spaces at the other end in their increasingly desperate offensive attempts.

The Timbers new signings should help alleviate this problem in attack. Yimmi Chara and Felipe Mora gave fans a glimpse of what they can bring to the club last week, but the Timbers must find a way to sustain this throughout a whole match. Consistency is crucial, and right now, Portland miss it.

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