BEAVERTON, Ore. – New Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey said the team’s first win of the season over the weekend made it “easier to wake up in the morning and train.”
And if there’s an extra spring in the step of Timbers players this week, that will probably suit head coach Caleb Porter just fine with one of MLS’ most dynamic players set to pay them a visit Sunday when they face off with expansion side Orlando City SC and Brazilian superstar Kaka in a nationally televised match at Providence Park (5 pm ET; ESPN2).
Of course, for Porter, Kaka coming to town is no different than the handful of other premier players his team is used to facing off against in the Western Conference. Porter said Kaka’s closest comparison is likely Robbie Keane of the LA Galaxy.
“He goes where he wants to, where he needs to, to impact the game,” Porter said following Friday’s training session at the team facility. “So we need to make sure we’re aware of his movement and aware of his positioning at all times because when he does get on the ball he’s special.”
That comparison to Keane, also, gives Porter some measure of confidence, considering that the Irish international striker was shut out of the scoreline in Portland’s 2-2 draw with the Galaxy earlier this season. He also pointed to his team’s ability to also neutralize Javier Morales of Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Pedro Morales in previous games this season, two players Porter said also have similar free-floating roles to Kaka.
“If we’re organized, no matter where he floats he’s going to have a player around him,” Porter said. “We’re not going to adapt our entire shape to try to stop him, but we have to be organized.”
Porter said the responsibility falls to not only the back four staying organized but also all four midfielders – considering Kaka’s ability to pop up anywhere.
“I mean, he’s brilliant, but they have other players who are good as well and of course we have to be close to him all the time and not give him a lot of space because he’s able to hit shots from distance and also make smart passes,” Kwarasey said. “It’s just the team, we all have to be alert out there.”
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Porter said the fact that Orlando come in having not won since the second week of the season despite playing well make them a particularly dangerous matchup. And with his own team coming off their first win of the season, a 3-1 triumph last weekend over then-unbeaten FC Dallas, it’s crucial the Timbers begin to build some momentum.
Portland also face six of their next eight games on the road.
“That happened in 2013 for us,” Porter said referring to Portland’s conference championship season in his rookie year as coach. “After the first win, we grew in confidence and played a bit better and the points piled up and we went on a run.”
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com.
