Three Thoughts: Sad, but happy (but still sad)

The Portland Timbers’ 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend was frustrating, but also encouraging, but still worrying— all at the same time.

Here’s three thoughts about it all:

Put it in the mixer

Despite Portland battling back to earn a draw and keep their unbeaten steak alive, Sunday didn’t feel all that great.

Perhaps it due to seeing a golden opportunity to jump above the playoff line and put one hand on the Cascadia Cup pass Portland by, or perhaps it due to witnessing another frustrating outing against Vancouver at home.

Or perhaps it was due to how the game played out. Vancouver committed numbers back while defending, putting a robust low block between the Timbers and the…