Through the first three games of the season, the Portland Timbers were bad; bad enough to set a record for goals allowed through the first three games of a Major League Soccer season.
Then, after a bye in week four and an improved but still losing performance in week five, the Timbers’ troubles were put in perspective by the San Jose Earthquakes: after losing their first four matches, the Earthquakes had managed an astounding -12 goal differential despite the arrival of famously defensive minded coach Matias Almeyda.
Now the two sides are set to face off in a battle of the basement-dwellers of the Western Conference, and whoever triumphs will be primed to take the sort of step forward that both are desperately in need of.