What is going wrong?
The Portland Timbers haven’t been off to the greatest start in their 2021 MLS Campaign. Fans are wondering why the team has started off poorly with six points taken from the available eighteen leaving them in 9th place in the Western Conference.
Fans are not sure why the Timbers have been struggling, the offense is usually productive in their efforts of scoring with star players like Diego Valeri, Diego Chara, Yimmi Chara, Sebastian Blanco and Felipe Mora to help out and propel the team forward. But there is yet to be some productivity from those Veterans.
Does Giovanni Saverese have what it takes to fix the Timbers current issues? Will he be able to keep his job? Will there be any coaching changes?
Where are the problems?
After five games the Timbers have only scored six goals and have conceded eight. Things need to shape up if the Timbers want to qualify for the MLS playoffs, because with they way they are playing currently it looks like they are on pace of missing out on the playoffs.
Another issue is their defensive unit, in the first five games they have allowed eight goals that is almost a goal per game. They have one of the lowest defensive records this season as they average 1.6 goals conceded which ranks them 21st only five teams have a worse goals conceded rate per FotMob.. Timber fans hope that the coaching staff and players figure out the defensive issues, because that is what is costing them the points in these games.
Not only the defensive unit has been an issue, but also the attacking unit where the Timbers have scored six goals in the opening five games, they average 1.2 goals per game which leaves them ranked 14th in Goals per game per FotMob. Even though they might be averaging a goal per game that is still not good enough to have them laying in 9th place
Star Players struggling?
Star Midfielder Diego Valeri who has been at the club since 2013, has been not in his best form only contributing to one goal in the first five games of the season. Valeri was coming off of the 2020 Season with 7 goals and 5 assists per FotMob. Timber fans expect their Captain Valeri to lead the team and be productive in their goal-scoring.
Even though it is five games into the season, fans want answers now and the Timbers to pick up their form.
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Northwest Sports Desk 