I’ll chop you down, like an old dead tree: Portland Game 2

By: Brenton | October 10th, 2010

   

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Timberrrrrrrrrr!!

How long can I keep this up? Just watch me (6:05).

Photo from the Oregon Historical Society. Ouch.

The Caps go to Portland for the second leg of the two-game play-off series, up 2-0 from the awesome first leg. Away goals don’t count in the NASL/USL, so we need to not lose by two to progress to the NASL conference finals against Puerto Rico, who won 3-2 on aggregate against Rochester, the best team in the league. EDIT: If the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes, the teams will play two 15-minute overtime periods, and if it’s still level after that it goes to penalties.

We’ll be without the services of star right-back Wes Knight, who hurt his shoulder late in the game on Thursday. Expect Ethan Gage to fill in for him and expect Portland to attack that flank all game. I’m not sure what Chris Williams did to Thordarson, but Gage has been Knight’s preferred replacement of late.

I imagine we’ll see the same line-up elsewhere on the pitch.

Our 3-man midfield was fairly dominant, and if Koffie is a little more careful with the ball we should do well. Nash did well last game as a withdrawn number 10 (which itself is a withdrawn striker role), playing more as an advanced defensive midfielder than a true number 10. He, Dunfield and Koffie rotated roles as needed last game, and were very effective.

Thordarson expects the team to “defend well and attack Portland on the break”, so we’ll probably see Wagner playing just in front of Forko and Davies tracking back to provide cover for Gage. And for Dunfield to play the destroyer role everywhere. I actually think Bellisomo could do well in the midfield, but at this point you wouldn’t want to mess with the backline. Akloul would provide some needed strength against Bright Dike’s power, but I think you make that change depending on how Luca does.

Expect Portland to come at us hard right away. Hopefully we weather the storm and stick one in on the break. I think Davies is due.

Good luck, boys. If we win, our reward is a long trip to Puerto Rico…

Oh, and the game is available on livestream on the Caps site. Kick-off is 6pm tomorrow, Sunday the 10th.

Category: Match preview

   

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Comments  

• BoriQa |  October 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am

  
  
  

  Good luck tonight Caps! Looking forward to our last playoff match before your jump to the MLS.

  

• BoriQa |  October 10th, 2010 at 8:55 am

  
  
  

  Correction on the article: if Vancouver loses by 2, the game actually goes into 2 x 15min overtime.

  EDIT: Correct. I forgot to put in the “in the event of a draw” info. If the round is still tied after those overtime periods, it goes to penalties. And we’ve been horrible at penalties all season, except for Nash

  

• Sairax |  October 10th, 2010 at 11:51 am

  
  
  

  Good luck tonight! Hey, what are the chances of you guys meeting Montreal at some point? That would be an awesome game

  

• Brenton |  October 10th, 2010 at 12:31 pm

  
  
  

  We’ll have to beat Portland today, then Puerto Rico next week (which is doable) and Montreal will have to beat Carolina next week, which does look likely.

  

• Franck |  October 10th, 2010 at 8:22 pm

  
  
  

  Don’t be so sure, Brenton…we have to get through Carolina. It’s not as easy as it seems.

  

• Brenton |  October 10th, 2010 at 10:25 pm

  
  
  

  Their 4-0 win over Minnesota looks a good scoreline, but Minnesota aren’t exactly powerhouses. And you’ve been banging in goals lately.

  Congratulations to the boys on a hard-fought game in Portland. They dominated the game but we came away with the victory on aggregate. Next stop, rainy Puerto Rico, never a fun trip.