Portland Timbers vs Nashville SC: 5 things we learned – Diego Valeri to the rescue
A 12th-minute goal by Diego Valeri gave the Portland Timbers their first victory of the season against Nashville SC. Here are five things we learned from the 1-0 win.
The Portland Timbers earned their first victory of the 2020 MLS season with a hard-earned 1-0 win over new-boys, Nashville SC. Diego Valeri arrowed an exquisite volley into the top corner to hand the Timbers an early lead, but that would be a rare positive note in a rather lackluster performance.
In fact, the Timbers had only three shots in the entire match. Nashville, on the other hand, had 14 and looked especially bright through Hany Mukhtar and Randall Neal. Nevertheless, despite the somewhat concerning performance, Portland got the victory they so desperately needed after last week’s defeat to Minnesota United.
Here are five things we learned from the Timbers’ hard-earned 1-0 victory.
5. A tactical shift
After getting burned for three counter-attacking goals in their match last weekend against Minnesota, the Portland Timbers came out in a more defensive shell here, with Diego Chara staying back defensively and full-backs Jorge Villafana and Chris Duvall pushed a bit higher to bring width to the attack.
While this provided cover defensively, the Timbers struggled to break through the Nashville defensive lines and create goalscoring chances, forcing them to try to loft the ball up to Felipe Mora, which led to a lack of sustained possession and easy giveaways in the final third.
4. Bend but don’t break
In the second half, the Portland Timbers came out looking attack-minded but quickly reverted to a more defensive shell, which led to Nashville controlling the flow of the game and maintaining possession.
The Timbers absorbed the Nashville pressure and looked to spring on the counter-attack, a tactic they have relied on in previous seasons when they have struggled to contain the opponent, as happened in their first match of the season. While this did not lead to a particularly exciting style of play and allowed Nashville to largely control the game, especially late on, it did earn them their first win of the season.
3. A non-existent attack
The Portland Timbers offense generated just three shots and no corner kicks for the entire match, They also had no shots in the second half. That was the first time they have failed to have a shot at home in the second half since June 2016, almost four years ago.
While the Timbers did have some positive moments, they did not have enough sustained possession to build pressure and force the Nashville defense to make mistakes. While it was clear that the tactics for this match were going to be defensive-minded, the quiet offensive showing took it to a level rarely seen. The Timbers and their supporters must be waiting anxiously for the first appearance of Jaroslaw Niezgoda, their prized offseason signing to instigate some form of attacking pedigree and threat.
2. Valeri saves the day
With the game going back and forth for the first 10 minutes as both teams looked to feel each other out, it took a bit of magic for the Portland Timbers to find the back of the net. In one of the only periods of the match in which they generated some sustained attacking pressure, a ball that was initially cleared by the Nashville defense was headed back into the penalty area by Andy Polo towards Diego Valeri, who flashed a volley past Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis and into the top corner for his second goal of the young season.
The sublime finish was a reminder of the brilliance Valeri has shown over his first seven seasons in Portland, and what the Timbers have been lacking since midway through last season. Valeri truly is a magical footballer, capable of unique moments like this. In the end, it was his individual magic that rescued Portland.
1. Improvement required
The Timbers will travel to Gilette Stadium to face off with the New England Revolution next Sunday, in their first away match of the season. While the Timbers and Revs only face off once a year, New England will be a familiar foe as they participated in the Timbers Preseason Tournament, defeating the Timbers 3-1.
Next. LAFC Vs Philadelphia Union: 3 things we learned. dark
With one win and one defeat thus far, you might think 2020 has been a middling start for Portland. But dig a little deeper and there are some concerning signs. The performances have been poor, especially on this occasion. They will be looking for a significant improvement in New England.