Timbers Time

One-Two Punches - Portland Timbers at Inter Miami

It's Timbers Time! In this week’s episode Chris and Matt discuss Messi undoing the Timbers on a sweaty night in Miami, analyse the possible impact of the under-discussed Private Equity investment in the team and the relative drop-off in roster spend since, catch up on three entertaining T2 games and ask if Phil will survive a home loss to San Jose… RCTID! This episode's key talking points include: * Is Phil just running out the starters to save his job rather than using his capable depth players in a three game week? * Messi’s classic one-two passes take the Timbers apart twice in the first half * Was Chara really taken off because of an injury or was it cover for a poor performance? * Velde’s second half was full of highlights but no goals, was he trying too hard? * Finn’s top tier defending continues to look effortless * Guerra’s magic scoring beard * Pants makes a top tier save from Messi’s free kick, is this a save of the year contender? * Digging into the Private Equity investment in the Timbers in 2021 and the subsequent drop in relative roster investment - correlation or causation? * Why Private Equity loves American Sports over European leagues and why that should be concerning for Timbers fans * T2 are on a tear, updates on their last three gams * Is Mora done as a Timber? Does his departure mean a DP 9 is coming? * San Jose (H) Preview - Will Phil survive a loss? Content Warning: One or two moderate swears Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:33) Miami (A) - Pre-Game (3:59) Miami (A) - First Half Analysis (17:33) Miami (A) - Second Half Analysis (30:14) Miami (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match (32:23) Miami (A) - Post Game - Press Conferences - Phil & Finn (38:16) Analysis - Private Equity Investment in the Timbers (49:07) T2 Update (52:38) Timbers News, MLS News (56:08) San Jose (H) Preview 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 [timberstimepod@gmail.com] or DM us on IG:  timberstimepod [https://www.instagram.com/timberstimepod]

Ego Tripping at the Gates of Stade Saputo - Portland Timbers at CF Montreal

It's Timbers Time! In this episode Chris, a jet-lagged Matt and special guest Carie talk all things Timbers as the team leave Montreal with an entertaining 2-2 tie. Matt reports on the  atmosphere at the stadium and hanging out with a large Pantemis entourage, there’s more ego chat, and we dive into the newly released 2026 salary data with Matt getting quizzed on a few surprising paychecks .. RCTID! This episode's key talking points include: * Is that point enough to save Phil’s job for now? * Why the lack of squad rotation? * Matt hangs out with the Pantemis entourage in Montreal! * Zone 14 defensive problems continue * Handball disagreements * DaCosta looking more and more like Nagbe * The Kelsy hot streak continues! * Were the Timbers lucky to get an equalizer? * Should Mora have come in earlier? * Finn the defensive comfort blanket * Is a draw good enough? * Phil says both goals are due to individual errors, who’s to blame? * Da Costa and Bassett’s offensive rotations * Salary discrepancies in the locker room * Who’s salary is the most surprising? * Does Velde deserve to be an All Star? * Miami (A) Preview Content Warning: Moderate swears Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (6:45) Montreal (A) - Pre-Game Press Conferences & Injury Report (12:05) Montreal (A) - Starting XI (13:59) Montreal (A)- First Half Analysis (32:33) Montreal (A)- Second Half Analysis (44:31) Montreal (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match (51:02) Montreal (A) - Phil’s Post-Game Press Conference (55:57) MLS 2026 Salary Review - Higher or Lower? (1:04:06) Timbers News, MLS News (1:06:02) Miami (A) Preview 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 [timberstimepod@gmail.com] Or DM us on IG: timberstimepod [https://www.instagram.com/timberstimepod]

Six Shooters - Portland Timbers vs Sporting Kansas City

It's Timbers Time! In this week’s episode Chris and Matt are in a celebratory mood as the Timbers spank Sporting Kansas City 6-0, with multiple bangers to discuss. After enjoying the win, there’s reflection on what this result means, is it enough to keep Phil in a job? Was it a more dominant win than RSL had over us? We then wrap up with some Pants ceiling chat and a Montreal away preview. This episode's key talking points include: * What does this result mean for Phil’s future? * How does our domination of SKC compare to RSL’s domination of us? * We look great in possession (when there’s no ball pressure) * Velde scores a long range banger to spite Matt * Best songs for the TA to sing when we’re up 4-0 * Is showboating disrespectful to the opposition? * Phil does something pragmatic!  * How second half substitutes sprung the team back into life * Another Timbers MLS hat trick goes begging * Kelsy’s redemption arc - Are we still going to go for a DP 9? * How much can you read into individual performances against such poor opposition? * Why Chris thinks it’s worth paying attention to press conferences * Can Pantemis improve his distribution and dribbling? * Chara in a popemobile? * Montreal (A) Preview * What squad rotations do we anticipate for midweek? Content Warning: S Bombs Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:00) SKC (H) - Pre-Game Press Conferences & Injury Report (7:00) SKC (H) - Starting XI (8:01) SKC (H) - First Half Analysis (21:50) SKC (H) - Second Half Analysis (33:12) SKC (H) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match (42:26) SKC (H) - Phil’s Post-Game Press Conference (48:39) What Does This Result Mean For Phil’s Future? (51:30) Comparing Our Domination of SKC With RSL’s Domination Last Week (57:04) Listener Question - Can Pantemis Realistically Improve his Distribution and Dribbling? (1:03:11) How Did Chris, As a Brit, End up in Portland? (1:06:52) Timbers News, MLS News (1:10:31) Montreal (A) Preview 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 [timberstimepod@gmail.com] or DM us on IG:  timberstimepod [https://www.instagram.com/timberstimepod]

Pants on Fire - Portland Timbers at Real Salt Lake

It's Timbers Time! In this week’s episode Chris and Matt discuss James Pantemis’s heroics in the Timbers 2-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake as he dreams of the MLS record of saves … not a great sign for our defence! We talk about how our press didn’t stand up to the challenge, why Phil took the blame for the first half and we preview a must win game against UnSporting Kansas City where some “complacent” players are on the block. RCTID! This episode's talking points include: * Pantemis stands on his head to prevent an embarrassment in Utah * Do the Timbers need to “have a little dance”? * How our hopes the press was improved were dashed at its first real test * The stark difference between the off-ball movement of the two teams * Velde looked frustrated, is his mindset becoming a problem? * Is Diego Luna a true USMNT calibre player or did we just make him look good? * RSL’s first clean sheet of the year, what does that say about our attack? * Phil takes the blame for the first half, but why that psychological approach? * Phil says there's some complacency and implies he’s going to make changes - the established and high paid players are on the block, what lineup do we expect for the next game? * SKC (H) preview Content Warning: Light to Moderate swears Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (1:26) RSL (A) - Pre-Game Press Conferences (4:25) RSL (A) - Injury Report (5:11) RSL (A) - Starting XI & Formation Analysis (6:31) RSL (A) - First Half Analysis (22:18) RSL (A) - Second Half Analysis (37:17) RSL (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match (46:09) RSL (A) - Thoughts on the high press (48:47) RSL (A) - Phil’s Post-Game Press Conference (53:39) RSL (A) - Pantemis's Post-Game Press Conference (56:18) T2 Update (57:56) Timbers News, MLS News (1:00:54) SKC (H) Preview 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 [timberstimepod@gmail.com] or DM us on IG:  timberstimepod [https://www.instagram.com/timberstimepod]

Chaos SD & Zone 14 of Interest - Portland Timbers at San Diego FC

It's Timbers Time! Matt’s back from Europe and there’s plenty to talk about this week - we discuss the late game chaos as the Timbers come back from San Diego with three points, more Antony counterattacking madness, stupid handball rules, and continued improvements in the press. Plus the Timbers are conceding a goal a game (!) from outside the box or thereabouts… Chris does a deep tactical dive into what's going wrong in Zone 14. RCTID! This episode's talking points include: * Was this the right game to drop Antony from the starting XI? * Why are we conceding from so many long shots? A deep dive analysis! What systemic problems do the Timbers have and who’s to blame? * Why the press continues to improve, but why it’s too early to believe * Why our early turnovers weren’t punished * The penalty law is still stupid * Should Kelsy’s disallowed goal have stood? * How many goals should Cole Bassett be good for this year? * Antony’s left foot strikes again (or doesn’t strike again) * Chara’s golden years get us in our feels * The bizarre last three minutes were tactical madness from Phil * On reflection, how bad was the first half? * Phil reveals his "Weakness" * Losing the Whitecaps would be heartbreaking * RSL (A) preview Content Warning: "S" Bombs ahoy Content Links: Shot Location and Expected Goals in the Premier League: https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2013/11/13/5098186/shot-matrix-i-shot-location-and-expected-goals [https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2013/11/13/5098186/shot-matrix-i-shot-location-and-expected-goals] Soccer “Zones” Map: https://smarter.soccer/free-downloads/Smarter-Soccer-The-Soccer-Zones.pdf [https://smarter.soccer/free-downloads/Smarter-Soccer-The-Soccer-Zones.pdf] Where Goals Come From: https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/tag/Where+Goals+Come+From [https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/home/tag/Where+Goals+Come+From] How 442 became 4231: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2008/dec/18/4231-442-tactics-jonathan-wilson [https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2008/dec/18/4231-442-tactics-jonathan-wilson] Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:24) San Diego (A) - Pre-Game Press Conferences (7:45) San Diego (A) - Injury Report (9:04) San Diego (A)- Starting XI & Formation Analysis (13:08) San Diego (A) - First Half Analysis (25:24) San Diego (A) - Second Half Analysis (49:54) San Diego (A) - Post Game - Moment and Man of the Match (59:09) San Diego (A) - Phil’s Post-Game Press Conference (1:03:59) Zone 14 of Interest - Why Are The Timbers Conceding So Many Long Shots? (1:25:52) Timbers News, MLS News (1:31:01) RSL (A) Preview Listener Topics and Questions! Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode: Email: ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com [timberstimepod@gmail.com] IG:  timberstimepod [https://www.instagram.com/timberstimepod]