The Portland Timbers should “develop up” if they’re to make successful of their MLS marketing campaign, so says Phil Neville.
Portland misplaced 1-0 to Orlando Metropolis final day out, and can purpose to get again to profitable methods once they tackle the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday.
The Timbers had near 60% possession towards Orlando, but managed simply seven photographs and generated possibilities value solely 0.35 anticipated targets (xG).
It left Neville wanting a drastic enchancment in his group’s final-third output.
He stated: “The primary half was nowhere close to ok, from three or 4 gamers. Gamers who we see as our key gamers had been nowhere close to their degree – they didn’t give the group any composure. We seemed like we had been ready to go 3-0 or 4-0 down.
“The second half, I used to be happy with the hassle, happy with the combat. However when there’s 5, 10 minutes to go and also you’re crossing in balls however there’s seven gamers not within the field, that for me is a group that’s nonetheless naïve, nonetheless desires to play with the ball.
“We confirmed a little bit of inexperience, towards a group that has expertise.
“It was a terrific studying expertise for the younger gamers we’ve got – they’re giving every little thing they’ve acquired, they’re a match for any group in MLS however I’m afraid at this second in time we’ve acquired to develop up a bit bit greater than we’re doing.
“We’ve acquired to acknowledge it’s not going to be good on a regular basis, we’ve acquired to have extra ruthlessness, notably the entrance 4 or 5 gamers.
“We’ve acquired to get into the field to attain, we are able to’t simply play five-a-side soccer after we get into the ultimate third. That’s the evolution now for the group to achieve success.”
Portland sit sixth within the Western Convention, one level and one place above the Rapids, who’ve received their final two video games.
Midweek matchup within the combine
Nature Unites
https://t.co/RJOQMe3S0I
https://t.co/w23EnTX6MT pic.twitter.com/w8f7E7mXH9— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) Could 27, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Portland Timbers – Antony
Antony has scored 4 targets in 4 profession regular-season conferences with the Rapids, together with scoring thrice in two conferences at Windfall Park.
The one Timbers participant to attain in three straight residence matches towards Colorado was Diego Valeri from 2017 to 2019.
Colorado Rapids – Darren Yapi
Yapi scored his third purpose in his final eight appearances on Saturday, netting the lone purpose in Colorado’s 1-0 win over St. Louis Metropolis SC.
He had scored solely twice in his first 65 regular-season video games previous to this current sizzling streak, which he will probably be decided to proceed because the Rapids look to surge up the standings.
MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND WIN
After profitable their first two away matches of the season, Colorado have taken only one level from its final 4 on the street (D1 L3).
The 2 wins to begin the season are the Rapids’ solely victories of their final 12 away matches courting again to final September (D2 L8).
Portland have received solely three of their final 10 residence matches in all competitions (D4 L3) after profitable 10 of its earlier 12 at residence instantly earlier than this run.
Nonetheless, the Timbers are unbeaten of their final six at Windfall Park (W3 D3) after opening the season with a loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Portland have, although, received 12 of their final 15 residence matches towards Colorado in all competitions (D2 L1), together with the final 4 in a row. The Timbers have outscored the Rapids, 14-3, over the present four-match run, scoring a minimum of thrice in every match.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Portland Timbers – 55.4%
Colorado Rapids – 21.6%
Draw – 23%
