BEAVERTON, Ore. – It was the type of match that, from its earliest moments, underscored Modou Jadama’s importance.
The final game of Timbers 2 regular season was going to be both test and preview, with the team traveling to Arizona to face one of the Western Conference’s leaders, Phoenix Rising FC. Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is part-owner in that club, one that had beaten Portland, 4-1, at Providence Park earlier in the United Soccer League season. Depending on results around the league, Rising could host T2 again a week later, when the teams’ postseason began.