Portland Timbers Quotes
Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter
Overall takeaways from the game…
“I was really proud of the end of the game. I was also pleased with the start of the game. We showed the mentality that we wanted to bring, the energy, the aggressiveness but was disappointing to be down 1-0 against the run of play, that’s the second straight game now where we have dominated the first 15, 20 minutes and the first chance the opponent gets we are down 1-0. That puts you in a tough position. Then obviously in the second half to give up the second goal, another one against the run of play, it just makes it very difficult. From that side of things we’ve got to clean up the critical errors in the back third and our finishing needs to continue to get better. Our mentality was outstanding and I’m proud of our guys under the circumstances to fight back. It seems like consolation to get the draw, we never are satisfied with that, but we do stop a conference team from getting three points on us. Last two years, the playoffs have come down to a point on the last day for most teams and to claw out a point isn’t what we wanted, but under the circumstances to come back from two goals down we will take it.”
On new players in the backline getting accustomed to playing together…
“We’ve got two out of the four guys in the backline are new in Zarek [Valentin] and Jermaine [Taylor] so we are still developing the chemistry there. Like I said we aren’t giving up many chances. If we were giving up a bunch of chances then you would say we were struggling defensively, but we’re not. It’s just key moments. It’s like I always say, ‘this game comes down to what happens in those key moments, final third, back third’. We are always going to be in every game. You can see we usually lead the stats in terms of shots and these guys I can’t fault them in any game. They have a great mentality they want to win. They always come out aggressive. It comes down to just making sure in those moments that we’re clinical in finishing and that we limit those errors and mistakes that lead to goals because you look at the flow, you look at stats, you look at all the trends the last two games, we shouldn’t only have 1 point out of the last two games."
On if he’s concerned about the finishing…
“No, because I know we have the quality and the talent. It is the toughest thing to do in this sport, is to score. We went through it a little bit last year and eventually the goals come in bundles. The good thing is we did end up scoring two today. We need to build on that. We are going to continue to work on it in the next two weeks…it’s on myself and the staff to get that right. Obviously the players are in those moments in the games and it’s on them to execute and finish and make those plays defensively. But as staff we will continue to put them in good situations in training so that they get that confidence around goal and that little bit of composure because with the chances we are getting, I think we are up there top of the league in terms of shots, and probably after this game are number one in terms of shots. With those chances we need to do better. Four points in three games is not what we wanted. But you look at everyone in the league, we all are pretty tight. Like I said prior to the start of the year it is going to be a tight race just like it always is in MLS. With crazy results week to week. Pulp Fiction. Everybody killing everybody."
Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri
On if he felt the Timbers could go on to win the game after getting the score to 2-2…
“Yes, of course. It was a tough game because of the result. They got two goals from almost nothing. Obviously, with a man down, they just drop and defend. But I think we created enough to at least draw or win the game. We missed a lot and we need to improve.”
On the team’s fortitude to get the game back to a draw…
“I agree. Every game here is special and we want to give to this crowd a win, every single game. We couldn’t, but we left everything out there. Like I said, we tried to do it in a way where we are the dominant team. I’m really glad about that because [Real Salt Lake] are a good team. We need to improve that finish. That’s the most difficult thing in soccer. We have to keep working and it’s a long season.”
Portland Timbers forward Fanendo Adi
General thoughts on the match…
“I always expect a tough battle when it comes to good teams like this. They have good defenders. For me, I try to go into the game very focused and my thing is to try and help the team to win. I think we played pretty well. We created chances, but as the coach said, finishing was really poor. I think we’re going to get it right. We’ll keep working on it and it’s going to come.”
On what he can take with him as he reports for national team duty…
“It’s my first time going [to the Nigerian National Team]. I’ve never been with the national team, so it’s different for me. I’m very humble to be invited, but as I’ve said, Portland is my family. I owe everything to Portland, so I have to say a big ‘thank you’ to the coach, to the fans and my mates. Without them I wouldn’t have this opportunity. It’s going to be great for my development. It’s going to help me, but I’m looking forward to playing for Nigeria.”
Portland Timbers defender Nat Borchers
General thoughts on the match…
“First and foremost we did an incredible job of putting pressure on them. I thought overall, defensively, we were really good and sharp. Offensively, we created a lot of chances. I take responsibility for the dropped points with the second goal. I need to be better there. That’s just something I have to hold my hand up for. But I have to thank my teammates for digging it out and making sure [Real Salt Lake] didn’t get three points. The ball just bounced on a throw-in and I made a decision to try and head it back the way it came from and [Diego] Chara was wide open. It was a split-second decision that I should have done better from.”
On if there are more positives than negatives to take away from the game…
“I think so. Again, there’s just a belief in this team, a camaraderie that we have. You can tell that there was never a point in the game that we felt like we were down and out. Everybody was keeping each other up and staying positive. That’s what you want to see when you’re when down two goals.”
On the depth of the squad to bring effective players off the bench…
“That’s what you want to have in terms of your depth. You want to have guys that can come in off the bench and make a difference in games and we’ve shown that already.”
Real Salt Lake Quotes
Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar
Overall thoughts on the match...
“We seem to make these games really exciting. Our first three have been nail-biters. I’m really proud of my team’s effort tonight. We talk about battling and sacrificing for each other and a commitment level and that was all there tonight. Obviously, continuing moving forward we got to make sure we work on our discipline and try to keep 11 players on the field but a point here at Providence Park is a good thing. The good thing for us is there are areas for us to improve and I’m excited about that.”
On forward Yura Movsisyan’s goal…
“I mean we talked about any time you can get Yura 1v1 with a center back, doesn’t matter who it is, I like our chances. I really like that we’ve scored goals even being down a man. Now the goal is to keep as many players on the field as possible but it’s good. He needed to be rewarded for all the hard work he’s been doing and I’m really happy for him.”
Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando
On if he’s happy with the result considering the two red cards…
“Considering that, I’m happy with the point. Happy to see the guys fight and give it their all in front of me. It’s a little disappointing not to get three points when you’re up 2-0 but they brought a lot. Their fans got them into it and they threw everything at us. They got a penalty kick at the end and we didn’t give up anything easy. They had to work for it and so I’m proud of the guys in front of me.”
On how the team needs to regroup leading into the game against SKC…
“Stay focused. There’s always room for improvement and I think everyone on the field knows that. Stay focused. We’re not where we want to be. A lot of work ahead of us. It’s a young season and we can’t be patting ourselves on the back right now. We haven’t done anything but it is good to get two results on the road to start the season.”
Notes:
- Sunday’s game marked the 87th consecutive regular-season sellout for the Timbers at Providence Park.
- Timbers midfielder Diego Chara moved into sole possession of fourth place for appearances across eras (since 1975), recording 149 since 2011.
- For the 10th time since joining the Timbers, Fanendo Adi has scored two goals in a match, notching the most multi-goal games in club history across all eras (since 1975).
- Adi is now tied for the sixth-most goals in Timbers history across all eras (since 1975) with 28.
- The Timbers attempted 17 corner kicks in the game, which is tied for the third-most in a single game in MLS history.
- Diego Valeri’s 17 corner kicks are the most ever taken by a Timbers player in a single MLS match, surpassing his own record set on Sept. 14, 2014, against the San Jose Earthquakes (14).
- With the draw, Portland’s record immediately following a regular-season loss now stands at 13-3-10 since the 2013 season.
- Portland has scored four of its five goals this season after the 75th minute.
- Attacker Darren Mattocks, who joined the Timbers in a trade earlier in the week with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, made his Timbers debut in the 89th minute of play.
