Three thoughts on the Timbers and Red Bulls

The Portland Timbers (5-12-6, 21 points) are on the road again; this time at Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls (12-7-5, 41 points). Game time is 4 p.m. PT.

* November 23, 2010

That was the day of the Timbers Expansion Draft. The Timbers first pick was Dax McCarty who was then traded to DC United for Rodney Wallace. Timbers GM Gavin Wilkinson said of Wallace: “Rodney is a young, yet proven MLS player who again gives us great versatility with his ability to play several positions.” According to Wilkinson, the thinking for the trade was that Rodney Wallace would pair nicely with Jeremy Hall, since they played together at the University of Maryland. Well, we all know how that worked out. It was a year ago Saturday that Hall was traded to FC Dallas for Eric Alexander.

Dax McCarty has found success in New York and isn’t just known now for the guy the Red Bulls received for trading Dwayne De Rosario. Now there’s even talk about McCarty being a darkhorse candidate for MVP.

While there’s no guarantee that McCarty would have found similar success as a member of the Timbers, my point here is really to point out the line of thinking which led to the trade.

* Pick one: Was it service or finishing?

Gavin Wilkinson on former Portland Timbers striker, Kenny Cooper: “We know what Kenny brings with the ball at his feet. We know he’s very talented in and around the box. He’ll finish. He’s a player we need to keep an eye on.” Sorry, but I thought it was finishing that got Cooper shipped off to New York.

* Danny Mwanga

Why did the Timbers trade for Danny Mwanga if he’s not going to get minutes? Here’s his stats for the 2012 season:

Mwanga makes way too much money and is far too talented to sit on the bench. I believe it’s time to get Mwanga and some of the other young guys into the lineup.

INJURY REPORT:

NEW YORK RED BULLS – NONE REPORTED
PORTLAND TIMBERS – OUT: DF Chris Taylor (R hip surgery)

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

SUSPENDED: none

WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: NY: Joel Lindpere … POR: Diego Chara, Lovel Palmer
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: NY: Kenny Cooper, Connor Lade, Victor Palsson … POR: Kris Boyd, Jack Jewsbury, Hanyer Mosquera, Steven Smith, Kosuke Kimura

My Prediction:

Despite all the stretching being done to find positives to take from Wednesday’s draw at Toronto, the Timbers are still the only team in MLS without an away victory this season. Their road record is now 0-8-3 for the season. When you take the fact that the Red Bulls are undefeated at home, it’s tough to be optimistic about Portland’s chances. My hope is for a draw, but if recent form holds true that’s asking a lot. It’s going to take some epic mistakes from New York’s defense (which is actually possible) to get a result. Still, I don’t think the Timbers get points on Sunday. I just hope it’s respectable and I’m hoping for no Kenny Cooper goals as well. 2-0 New York keeps their home streak alive.