The Portland Timbers gave up another early goal on the road, and they were made to pay for it with a second consecutive loss.
And while things certainly played out differently then they did in their 3-1 loss last weekend to the Houston Dynamo, conceding early away from home – as they did Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC at BMO Field – is hardly the path to success.
Timbers head coach Caleb Porter said as much in his postgame comments after his team was unable to claw their way back from a fifth-minute golazo from TFC’s Italian star Sebastian Giovinco.
“Last two games we’ve given up a goal early on the road, to get points, to get a result that can’t happen,” Porter said.
What happened after the goal may have just been the most disappointing aspect of the match, Portland’s third straight away from Providence Park, which will keep them on the wrong end of the Western Conference standings with 13 points from 12 games.
It took the Timbers until after the halftime break to really test TFC goalkeeper Chris Konopka, and for the game Portland were able to produce just 11 shots, although five were on goal.
“Early in the game we were sloppy and a bit casual for whatever reason,” Porter said. “I think obviously when you give up a goal, people will look and say you were flat, but I don’t think we were flat, I thought we came out sharp. But after the goal I think rattled us a little bit, and it took us far too long to respond.”
Last week, Portland conceded early but fought back to tie it right after halftime. It was down the stretch when they faded, resulting in the lopsided scoreline. But against TFC, the Timbers got better as the game progressed.
And they felt they should have been provided a chance to nab the equalizer from the spot when a penalty went uncalled in the 80th minute when Konopka came off his line and brought down second-half substitute Maximiliano Urruti as he ran onto a ball deep in the box.
“Not pleased giving up the early goal, not satisfied that we didn’t find a goal and obviously not pleased with the result,” Porter said. “But ultimately I felt we had a breakthrough in that second half in terms of how we played and the energy, and we were a bit unfortunate to not to at least get the draw. I thought that was definitely a PK, watched the tape, and it didn’t go our way.”
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Making matters worse for Portland was the loss of playmaker Diego Valeri, who had to be subbed off in the 25th minute for what Porter later called a “rolled ankle.” The Argentine star was making his third start and fourth appearance since returning earlier this month from ACL surgery and his status will likely be in question with a quick turnaround for Portland’s next game, Wednesday back at home against Eastern leaders D.C. United.
There is also no relief from the schedule, despite Saturday’s game marking the end of a three-game road trip. Following Wednesday’s match, Portland hit the road again to play the Colorado Rapids the following Saturday.
“I liked our spirit in that second half,” Porter said. “If we do that for 90 minutes then we’re going to be in good shape, but we didn’t do it for 90 minutes and ultimately that’s why we fall short.”
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com.
