Hello!

Another week, another result! You’ll get no complaints from me about a win.

What you might get complaints about are concussions. I am still living in a world where an occasional fog moves in and settles in my head.

Thankfully I’ve got a solid number of people looking to step up to cover me as I recover, such as Matthew Hall providing a rundown of the Cascadia Cup (published as a bonus newsletter last week).

This week it’s newsletter regular Jordan Minamimaye stepping up to ensure you receive a solid analysis of the Whitecaps FC 4-1 victory over the Portland Timbers.

So take it away, Jordan!

The View

With our dear Newsletter Leader Chris still nursing concussion symptoms, it’s time for a well-timed concussion substitute appearance from yours truly! Let’s talk a little bit about the Whitecaps’ latest in a string of positive results at Providence Park.

Early season injuries and visa issues for two of our new players forced some roster decisions from the gaffer for this one, starting young Jeevan Badwal again, this time as a nominal right winger opposite AZ with White/Müller forming the central aspects of the front four. A rather expected back-4 of Johnson, Priso, Blackmon and Ocampo sat behind the Cubas/Berhalter power duo in midfield.

Our ‘Caps had to weather an early gift of a chance as Ralph Priso dribbled himself into trouble and gave the ball away springing a clean breakaway. Luckily, his attempts to slow the Timbers player from behind with two hands didn’t lead to a red card, and the rest of the backline recovered well enough to not even allow a shot on target. Whew.

The first 15 minutes or so was a bit back and forth with the ‘Caps mainly winning back cheap possession with a stifling counter press, and slicing through the Timbers pressing plan (which was, “Get after Ralph Priso ASAP”) until we found the opening breakthrough.

Jeevan Badwal, in a rare spot of “actually pressing the opposition effectively,” forced a turnover deep in the Timbers half, which cycled back to Édier Ocampo, whomst then laid the ball off to Sebastian Berhalter for him to clip a ball over the Timbers line to Brian White with a redirect away from the Timbers ‘keeper to make it 1-0. And that’s about the only really interesting thing that happened in the first 45 minutes.

The second half saw us come out of the locker room with the intent to put this rivalry game to bed, which we duly did via a Tristan Blackmon free header off of a free kick from Sebastian Berhalter, who then got his goal on a beautiful cutback pass from AZ a few minutes later. We’re up 3-0 and cruising.

So naturally, the most Football Manager type thing happens, and the 18-year-old Timbers 2 callup playing central midfielder hits a worldie for his first MLS career goal to make it 3-1. Right after we made three subs. I swear I saw the field shift towards our goal. Then somehow, a somewhat lengthy treatment break for one of our players (believe it was Ocampo doing a three-roll from an accidental cleat to the ankle) managed to stem the tide and we got our footing back. One more Timbers shot off the post, and that was their last real chance, as we got another break upfield, and Kenji played Brian in for his second, our fourth, and three points in the suitcase coming back to BC Place.

So let’s talk about some goods, bads, and uglies:

The Good

• The Caps continue to score more goals every game. I now expect 5 on Thursday.

• Our press felt a bit more coherent this game, it led to a lot of turnovers for us

• Nobody got hurt!

The Not So Good

• The shutout streak ends, but honestly if a 30 yard worldie is what it takes, we’ve done okay.

• Ralph Priso had an early blip, and it felt like Portland was really targeting him to press. He handled it well for the most part, but he was definitely under a bit of duress this game. 

• Outside of the turnover for goal #1, I felt that Jeevan Badwal had a bit of an anonymous game. I comment a lot that as a RW, his position and speed on the press is where we lose a lot of field presence, and I didn’t see much to change my mind this game.

The Ugly

• Honestly? Kinda nothing except that visa issues kept Cheikh Sabaly and Bruno Caicedo out of the USA and off the roster for this one. Oh and we still have four defenders injured.

All in all? Good game. Three more points bagged, and we’re one of six perfect MLS teams through three matchdays. Next up? The dreaded Seattle Sounders in CONCACAF Champions Cup (round of 16) with a short turnaround to an afternoon Sunday match hosting Minnesota United at BC Place for both games.

Onwards and upwards we go! (Also please spare a thought for Chris and hope his concussion symptoms ease off soon. You can keep up with us on the From 231 Discord server as well, where we live chat during games, and other times too!)

Around the Pitch

Sometimes the memes just land:

[MEME] Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced their intent to purchase and relocate Providence Park to BC.

We’ve come a long way from the days of Timbers supporters chanting, “Our house! In the middle of BC! Our house!” It’s nice to be returning the favour.

With the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against the Seattle Sounders on Thursday, and then a short turnaround to an MLS match against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon (note this was originally scheduled for Saturday evening and was moved), it will be a good test of the Whitecaps’ mettle.

And gives me (or another guest contributor) a lot to talk about next week!