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

1. Stretch the field

When the Timbers were dominant last weekend, Yimmi Chara was flying down the field and pushing the Loons defense back. Minnesota held firm for much of those periods, admittedly, but they were when Portland looked most dangerous.

The Timbers need to take a similar approach to this match.  While the talk this offseason has been about coach Gio Savarese finally having the attacking pieces he has desired through his first two seasons in charge, last weekend’s match showed that the Timbers have a lot to work get everything clicking. The offensive pieces have not quite been assorted properly. Yet, in those early moments of the match when the Timbers were quickly pressing and the Loons’ defense scrambling, we saw a glimpse of his vision. The potential is there. The Timbers simply need to deliver and execute.

Nashville presents a similar challenge. They will sit deep and are strong in central areas. The Timbers will have to find ways to break them down. To do this, they must stretch the pitch as wide and deep as possible, using the threat of Chara in wide channels to make Nashville defend as much space as possible. This includes hitting Nashville on the counter-attack when the opportunities arise.

Gio  Savarese wants his side to be dominant in possession and break teams down with increasing pressure. But to do that, the Timbers must stretch out the opposition and create space for their more talented attackers to work. Thus far, they have failed to execute this process well.