Totally Reedeem Yourself
The Timbers US Open Cup entry was shot by playing a reserve squad for a mid-week match. Their playoff hopes are fading fast. The Cascadia Cup still stands within reach.
What do the Timbers need to win the Cascadia cup? Two wins and a little bit of luck. They have to beat Vancouver tonight in Portland, and again at the re-opening of BC Place. Then they’ll need the Sounders to either lose or draw in their remaining match with the Whitecaps.
It’s a plausible scenario, and as the season winds down, it’s looking to be more possible than the playoffs. The Timbers have 10 matches remaining- 30 potential points. According to Sports Club Stats, they’ve got about an 8% shot at the playoffs right now. If they could somehow grab 18 of those 30 points, it would bring their chances into the the 40-57% range. There is an opportunity with some easier matches remaining in the schedule, but the Timbers up and down season doesn’t lead to a lot of confidence that they can pull everything together for the final stretch.
That leaves the Cascadia Cup and a chance to salvage the season. Vancouver, Portland and Seattle are the talk of the MLS, and the bragging rights of retaining the cup would be seen as a successful first year for many supporters.
Can they do it? There have been accusations by some that the Timbers aren’t putting out enough effort on the field of late. If the Timbers put it all together today and win a game that they should, it would dispel a lot of that talk.
Oh and we’ll have to root for Vancouver on September 24th to pick up at least a point against a superior Seattle team. Let’s hope luck is on the Timbers side.
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