Timbers & Homegrown Game

I decided to wait on the recap until this afternoon's Homegrown Game was played in Orlando, since Vines and Bassett would likely be involved in it (and they were).  First Saturday though, which did not go well.  The transformation of San Jose under Almeyda is nothing short of stunning and they worked us over for 90 minutes.  A couple of lucky deflections tuned what could have been a 4-0 loss into a 3-1 loss with a goal for Rubio.

The defense was awful on all three goals.  San Jose basically waltzed into the box and had their way with our back line.  Abubakar had the own goal on the first but had he not touched it San Jose would have scored it anyway.  The other two goals were embarrassing to watch as SJ attackers dribbled circles around us.  Meanwhile on the other end of the field nothing much was happening.  The stats show 5 shots on target but honestly, other than the deflected goal, I don't remember any of them.  San Jose having 2/3rds of the possession sounds like a more accurate reflection of the game.

What we've seen over the last month is an example of how thin this team is.  When our best XI are on the field we can compete with anyone in the league (especially at home).  If we lose 1 or 2 though we revert to a very Hudson looking team that is repeatedly beat by most MLS teams.

Man of the Match:  Diego Rubio.  He had the goal and 2 shots on goal.

This afternoon's homegrown game in Orlando featured both Sam Vines and Cole Bassett starting the second half, with Vines wearing the captain's armband.  Both played very well and were dangerous early, combing for a dangerous attempt on goal that was parried away shortly after they came on.  The play drifted away from them through the half but the Homegrowns tied it up in the last minute leading to a PK shootout.  The Chivas U-20s were not very good at it, missing all three attempts.  Vines scored the first PK for the homegrowns and Bassett won the game by scoring the third kick.