The game in 200 words (or less): Despite the Portland Timbers only sitting at eighth in the Western Conference, polls point to Giovanni Savarese’s side as one of the clear favorites to clinch playoffs. Saturday’s 3-1 performance against Cascadia rival - along with data referring to season’s prior - tells us exactly why that is the case.
With a home-heavy schedule ahead, the Timbers are in the ideal position to continue surging. Time will tell if that happens, or if they decide to take the Caps’ route, one rooted on routine, lackluster results.
Three moments that mattered
38′ — Bair’s sublime first career goal —
There are very first career goals that will top Theo Bair’s - it’s inimitable.
😱😱😱
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) August 11, 2019
19-year-old @WFCAcademy product Theo Bair opens his @MLS account with a world-class volley.
POR 1-1 VAN | #VWFC pic.twitter.com/JtlKdkxL0d
Unfortunately for the Caps Homegrown, his special night didn’t go as planned, at least on a team-wide level. Vancouver has now lost 12 times in 2019, third most in the league.
55′ — Loria contributes a screamer of his own —
It was the night of must-see goals, and Marvin Loria made sure to contribute.
Running out of captions to describe these goals in #PORvVAN tbh.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 11, 2019
Marvin Loría with the latest stunner on the night! pic.twitter.com/kVI6i0Rceq
The Costa Rican winger, who has seen inconsistent playing time, is going to make selection difficult for Savarese when they take on Chicago midweek. Let the competition begin.
90′ — Ebobisse puts the game to rest —
In a rivalry, one must always find a way to edge the competitor, even if you have the game in the bag. Jeremy Ebobisse and his teammates, apparently, understand and live by the concept.
.@kingjebo scores to put this one out of reach! #PORvVAN pic.twitter.com/uZQ0FA8WSh
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 11, 2019