PORTLAND, Ore. – When the head coach admits there’s a problem, it’s time to start taking that problem seriously. Even in preseason. Even eight months ahead of your regular season’s final moments.
That was the big takeaway from Saturday night, after the Portland Timbers closed their Major League Soccer preseason, presented by Old Trapper Beef Jerky, with an eye-opening loss to the New England Revolution. Despite controlling the first 30 minutes of play and approaching halftime with a 1-0 lead, the home team conceded the match’s final three goals, losing 3-1 in a game which, after allowing four goals to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday night, sounded alarms about the state of the team’s defending.