NO PITY IN THE ROSE CITY FOR CHIVAS USA

Portland – History was on their side today. After sweeping the Timbers last year (twice in Portland) the Goats had shown that winning at Jeld Wen Field was a possibility. Of course that was practically a completely different team then. So how would this one fare? Would it build on what last year’s team had started?

Advertisement Sadly, no. The same team that showed up in April continues to appear in May. Two weeks in, and they have already been out-scored 7-0. Today’s first goal came from Costa Rican International, Rodney Wallace, on a text book counter-attack. 1-0 to the Timbers. And that’s how the 1st half would end. The worst was yet to come.

The 2nd half saw Jose Correa replace Giovanni Casillas. Newest Goat Martin Ponce (who I at first thought was Miguel Angel Ponce for some reason) made his debut as a 2nd half substitute, replacing Marvin Iraheta. By the 65th minute, Jose Rivera had replaced Tristan Bowen. Unfortunately the added offense was not enough as the Timbers made it 2-0 a mere 5 minutes later. The Timbers would slice through the non-existent defensive line to set up Diego Valeri. Goal number 3 for Portland came courtesy of Will Johnson as stoppage time started.

“It’s tough to go through, but we can either have our heads down or keep fighting,” defender Steve Purdy-Ramos told MLSsoccer.com. “Next week at home, we have to get a result. That’s the bottom line. These things happen in the league; you go through your ups and downs."

If 3-0 wasn’t enough to make any Goats supporter do a facepalm, then the embarrassing shot of Mario de Luna shoving a ball boy (regardless of who was in the right) certainly made you do a facepalm. The team already gets the worst press in the league. Shoving kids and getting a yellow card won’t do the team, or its supporters any favors.

So what’s next for our train-wreck……errr…. I mean team? Real Salt Lake comes to the Rental (it’s what I’m calling the Stub Depot Palace) next week. They seem to have the Goats beat everywhere, so set your expectations to low. No TV as always, and the free video stream on cdchivasusa.com is not reliable. So get out to the stadium and support the team. Tickets are adequately priced, and the “El Super” chain of markets may have vouchers for free tickets with your grocery purchase.

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