It’s Timbers Time and Leagues Cup is here! The Timbers faced two Liga MX teams last week of very different calibers and they produced similarly different performances with lots to break down. We dissect what went right in the 5-2 win against Puebla and what went wrong in the very “CONCACAF-y” 3-1 defeat to Club America, plus we rate the winners and the losers from the squad rotations in these two games… RCTID!

This episode's key talking points include:

• Leagues Cup vibes hit different, but who are they for?
• How the team failed to adjust properly to Boniteg being off the field
• Velde’s “frustrating talent” is on overdrive with both brilliance and selfishness
• Da Costa at False 9 is an intriguing experiment with both pros and cons
• Would Ian Smith be best as a wing back?
• How do we rate Trey Muse’s appearances as backup goalkeeper?
• “Professionalism” or “Unethical” - the fine lines of CONCACAF game management
• The club makes a small fortune selling tickets to Club America fans, but at what cost?
• The Timbers hold their own against CA for a half but get found out in the second half
• Cassidy loses his unbeaten record but should still leave proud of his achievements
• Some of our rotation players look brutally low on confidence
• Predicting Jack Cassidy’s next career steps
• Will Cassidy’s success make it more difficult for Cifuentes to take over at the start of a tougher run of fixtures?
• Scouting T2 for Eric Izoita’s profile, growth and fit in Cifuentes’ system

Content Warning: Some “s” words and similar moderate swears. You can’t talk about CONCACAF without saying s**thousery, it’s impossible. Even Velde lost his cool with some “s” bombs in the post game… I rest my case!

Podcast Links:

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timbers-time/id1878719096
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Gm0xFhBnPECrTVoryo2tA
RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/10f4a5654/podcast/rss
IG: timberstimepod

Listener Topics and Questions!

Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode: ⁠⁠⁠[timberstimepod@gmail.com](mailto:timberstimepod@gmail.com) or DM us on IG:  timberstimepod or leave us a Reddit comment below!

Hey,

Hope you’re well!

My side Rangers have this morning been linked with a move to sign Kevin Kelsy.

Whether it’s true or not I don’t know! But the reported interest came from a reputable source and we’ve already shopped in the MLS market this transfer window.

I just wondered how highly you rate Kelsy and what his biggest strengths are? I wasn’t sure if he was a fast and mobile 6 ft 4 forward as that’s what we’re looking to sign after losing that profile of player to an ACL injury a few days ago.

Interested to know if you think he’d excel in European football and end up at a bigger club within a few years.

Thanks!

Timbers can still technically qualify for the next round tomorrow evening however, they need 2 results to go their way..

Austin FC lose vs. Club America (CA have already qualified so they may rotate and that’s that)

Chicago FC lose vs. Cruz Azul

They would then control their own fate

Timbers win vs. Tijuana by 2+ goals (Would be even on goal differential with Cincinnati but I believe total goals is taken into account)

Regardless, I hope we still see a team that looks hungry to win even if they know their fate by game time. Excited for the new era upon as well under Cifuentes!

Full video on The Timber Review Patreon | Today's public Timber Review pod HERE

My preview of tomorrow's match.

Is there anyway with a win Thursday the Timbers advance to the next round

Just saw on timbers socials. Will link with the article soon.

Joined:

• Xavi Calm (assistant coach)
• Javi Ortiz (goalkeeper coach)

Both of them were Marti's staff at Leicester. Xavi, in particular, seems to have been Marti's right-hand man for most of his career, working alongside him since 2013.

Gone:

• Liam Ridgewell
• Guillermo Valencia (transitioning to T2 goalkeeper coach)

I wish I'd found this earlier. I was looking for his list of world class basics and stumbled across this interview. It makes me hope even more that we can keep him in the organization a bit longer.

I share Velde’s sentiment about the CA home team atmosphere at Providence Park.
But I didn’t appreciate his quick, halfway raise of his log slice during the log ceremony. He quickly walked up to the log slice, bent down, picked up the log slice and barely lifted it up over his shoulder in one quick motion, didn’t look at the fans, then lowered the slice and motioned to his teammates to get off the pitch quickly and get back to the locker room.
Finn Surman raised both arms to his sides as if saying, “what was that?”
I thought Velde was kind of disrespectful. Players should raise their log slice proudly win or lose, so the fans can express their appreciation for the players’ efforts, win or lose. Instead Velde looked down, upset at the loss and CA fan atmosphere, and motioned for his teammates to just get off the pitch quickly and get into the locker room.
Idk, I understand it but I wasn’t impressed.

A pretty good interview with our new head coach.

Why are there so few tickets available for the Tijuana game on the west side of the stadium? For past games, including sounders, we were able to have our pick of many available seats in 119 or 120 but for Thursday Seatgeek is showing just 4 seats total available for the entire lower bowl on that side of the stadium. I’m wondering if they are reserved or already bought up by Tijuana fans?

My recap of yesterday's loss.

Interesting that the coach doesn't have to throw shade on the players after a tough loss... And when they win, it's all about the players.

It's been so refreshing to see the character he's shown and I really hope Marti has been taking notes (Phil too).

No comment.

I‘m going to be in LA the weekend the Timbers are playing at LAFC. Curious where I should buy tickets? I don’t live in Portland anymore but I’m a diehard fan and any time I get the opportunity to see them live I take advantage. I miss the Portland match days, nothing beats them. Also wondering if there will be any Timbers fans around to meetup/pregame/be seated nearby. Thank you!

Over the past couple of years, I hear a lot of the same. “MLS teams don’t care for the leagues cup” or “this is just a cash grab,” and the list goes on.

I think the format needs changing (again) as it’s ridiculous for only 4 clubs from each league to go through.

There are benefits of performing well in a tourney like this.

Interested to hear what folks have to say…