It’s Timbers Time and in this episode we analyze two good results against San Diego and LAFC as new coach Marti Cifuentes settles in and shows both his tactical nous and his pragmatism with some formational tweaks. Also on the show there’s transfer talk, ACL science, billionaire’s dinner time, and much more… RCTID!

This episode's key talking points include:

• How Cifuentes changed the press against San Diego as a stark contrast to how Neville’s approach saw us take repeated heavy defeats against the same opposition

• The Timbers get their long range shooting boots on with some style

• When Velde shares the ball really, really good things are happening, and post-Neville tactics have provided options around him

• Get well soon Brandon Bye, a crushing injury for our Right Back... Is the turf to blame? Workload? We dig into the science behind ACL injuries

• It’s so refreshing to have a coach that will actually talk tactics in press conferences

• Caicedo’s expansive passing range unlocked our transition offense, but does his defensive side have room to grow? Is Chara the perfect mentor?

• The picture perfect counter attack between Velde and Da Costa has to be a goal of the season contender

• Is Pants a hockey goalie? Those were some crazy kick saves…

• Are a few small possessions of intricate passing at the back a preview of “tiki taka” life under Cifuentes?

• Eric Miller did a really good job against Bouanga but how did his lack of offensive ability affect the team’s play?

• What went wrong for the Bouanga goal? How do we assess the shot’s xG vs xGOT?

• The Timbers’ recent offensive production is eyebrow-raising, and Velde is a big part of that

• What’s to blame for all these ACL injuries in the modern game?

• Merritt confesses he should have sacked Phil Neville sooner

• Ned has a LOT to do between now and the MLS Transfer Deadline on September 2, including making a big decision on increasing bids for Finn Surman

  
  

Content Warning: Some “s” words and similar moderate swears

Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction

(0:24) Chit Chat

(2:10) San Diego (H) - Pre-Game & Lineups Analysis

(5:43) San Diego (H) - First Half Analysis

(10:58) San Diego (H) - Second Half Analysis & Full Time Thoughts

(22:44) LAFC (A) - Pre-Game & Lineups Analysis

(27:20) LAFC (A) - First Half Analysis

(40:51) LAFC (A) - Second Half Analysis

(51:45) LAFC (A) - Full Time Thoughts - MOTM & Notable Performances

(59:58) LAFC (A) - Cifuentes Post-Game Presser

(1:03:09) Listener Questions!

(1:06:56) Timbers News - Brandon Bye, Turf, and ACL Science

(1:12:46) Timbers News - Cifuentes Introduction Presser & Transfer Speculation

(1:19:11) Timbers News - T2 Update

(1:21:28) MLS News and Transfer Window Activity

(1:28:05) Next Episode Preview: Austin (H)

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 or DM us on IG: timberstimepod or leave us a Reddit comment on our episodic r/Timbers post