That might be the best Sounders/Timbers derby game to date. The soccer wasn't perfect, but its a Derby and perfect soccer almost goes out the window. Nutty things happen.
This game had everything.
Early goal(s), mistakes, chippy play, yellow cards, Will Johnson being an insufferable prick, Pineda playing dirty, a non goal off Yedlins face at the line, a PK, goals from distance, horrible defending, good defending, stuck in challenges, shots off the post, acres of space, late goals, hat tricks....
This game had everything and was very exciting to watch. As a neutral you have to be thrilled with a game like that. NBC Sports lucked out with that match.
As a Sounder we have some things to work on...I would have loved to have Traore for this match...I think we give up one less goal without Anibaba (and we probably don't score our first one). Pineda/Alonso/Azira had a rough time in midfield with Chara and co...Pineda got caught about 7 times in possession or chasing a dead end. On Chara's second blast Pineda had run down the keeper and hadn't got back into position leading Alonso with a TON of space to cover...Alonso took a bad angle and Chara was in space with no one willing to close down (Anibaba looked lost).
Defense was poor in general. Marshall and Gonzalez had decent games...Marshall unlucky not to score. Anibaba only stood out with his assist early, and then in negative plays along the back. I think this was a poor game to give him his first start. If I'm Sigi I play Zach Scott next to Marshall...He knows the rivalry and wont be overwhelmed by the situation as it seemed Anibaba was.
Yedlin had a below average game. Part of Portlands game plan was to attack Yedlin. They pinned Nagbe on him and overlapped relentlessly with Harrington....add that the fact that Yedlin had no one in front of him to help (Cooper was 100% an attacker. Offered nothing in defense). I thought Yedlin had a better second half.
It seems to me that this team needs to play the 4-4-1-1
Oba up top, Deuce in behind, Neagle, Pineda, Alonso, Evans in the middle and Leo, Traore, Marshall and Yedlin in the back. It gives good balance to both the attack and defense.
tl;dr: Hell of a game.
