Even on a day that included the revenge at RSL, Saturday’s game in Portland may have been the day’s least competitive. Scoring within 10 minutes and holding Chivas USA to only one shot on target, the Timbers cruised at Providence Park, with two notable goals helping the team claim the 2-0 victory that pulled them even with Colorado for fifth in the Western Conference.
For Diego Valeri, the notable part of his 10th minute goal was less the finish than the mere fact that he scored. Again. While his diving shot from just beyond the arc is destined for this week’s highlight reels, Valeri’s four goals in four (now seven for the season) is the real discussion point. Just as he did last year, when a number of timely performances late in the season pushed the Timbers to first in their conference, Valeri’s stepping up when his team’s in need, this goal-scoring streak pushing Portland to the edge of the West’s playoff picture.
Portland’s second goal struck a more emotional note. Ending last year’s breakout, seven-goal season, Rodney Wallace suffered a tibial fracture in 2013’s final game. After six months of rehab, the Costa Rican returned in late May, having missed out on his compete for a spot at the World Cup.
In Sunday’s 39th minute, Wallace twisted onto ball flicked up by Fanendo Adi, burying his first MLS goal since returning to the field. In the process, the left winger also killed off the match. Against a Chivas team that never got out of its blocks, Portland had more than enough.
Given last Saturday’s showing in Los Angeles, we shouldn’t read too much into Portland’s result, but compared to the relatively close game the team played in Montréal two weeks ago, Saturday showed progress. Confident and cunning from the opening whistle, the Timbers prevented the match from becoming a game - the type of affair Erick Torres got used to stealing in July.
Instead, the Timbers executed like a team that can legitimately challenge for the postseason. Though they’re not in the top five quite yet, they have the talent to control their destiny. Portland may yet avoid being this year’s San Jose.