Post-Game Hangover: Reflections On Revs @ Timbers

Well, I'm glad I tempered my expectations for this match. I went into this one pretty sure we wouldn't be walking away with 3 points. So, I can't say I was terribly disappointed with the result, since I was ready for it. I was, however, pretty disappointed with the way we played. Just when you think that maybe we've learned, we go and commit the same old stupid mistakes that we've been committing all season.

The Timbers came out of the gates wanting a win. They needed it, after all, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Did we need a win the way the Timbers did? No, not exactly. But did we at least want one? I can't say that we did. The team that took the field on Friday night was timid, sloppy, rattled, and uninspired.

Unfortunately, my notes from this game are pretty erratic as I had to watch it in 3 different intervals because of my stupid DVR. So, forgive me if my reflections are all over the place.

Rajko Lekic was back to doing all the same things that I hate: throwing his hands up, giving up on a play or on his mark too early, and giving the ball away with his poor first touch. I'm not even shy about ragging on the guy anymore; injury or no injury. Although, the injury does put us in a bad spot moving forward. But then again, the season is over so what does it really matter?

Soares' injury is more concerning. Time and time again I've mentioned how valuable I believe A.J. Soares is to this team and to this defensive back line. If we were to be without Soares, I'd imagine we'd see an Alston/Coria/Barnes/Tierney combo. Funny how taking Soares out of that suddenly makes you feel so much more uneasy about our defense.

Regarding my comments concerning Coria in the last hangover piece: look, maybe I was quick to sing his praises, okay? I can admit that. Perhaps I was just so smitten by the win over Dallas that I overlooked some things. This game made me eat my words. Coria did not look like the agile, composed CB that I thought he was. He looked as reckless and frazzled as the rest of them.

Speaking of reckless and frazzled, Kevin Alston made me yell at my TV on more than one occasion. He may lead the team in minutes, but does he also lead in accidentally kicking the ball out of bounds? I think he might. The whole back line looked like pushovers, so I don't really intend to point specific players out. If you watch the replay of the game, right around the 35^th minute you can see Benny Feilhaber basically screaming at the defense. He was heated. Also, does anyone in MLS hate refs as much as Benny?

This game just had way too many mistakes; Zerka wasting a skillful build up in the 21^st minute, Lekic giving the ball away in the 40^th from a lack of control, Caraglio just kicking the ball right out of bounds instead of passing in space in the same minute, and so on. Giveaways: they've killed us all season. Is there no remedy for our possession problems? Apparently not.

Ryan Guy was instantly involved when he was brought on later in the game and he helped create some chances, including the header from Shalrie Joseph that just cleared the top post of the goal. I really like Ryan Guy's appearances as a sub lately and, as I'm sure I've said before, I'm really glad that he's getting the opportunities to show what he can do.

Schilawski was super disappointing.

Tierney had a quiet night.

Caraglio isn't quite there yet, but I think a preseason under his belt might do him and all of us some good.

We need a front office makeover pretty desperately.

We need a Left Back.

Any way you look at this game, we were just simply outplayed by a team who basically wouldn't settle for anything less than 3 points at one of the hardest stadiums in MLS to play in. I just wish that the Revs would have been featured on Soccer Night In America for a different match.

Is it the offseason yet?