Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers – Three Questions With Stumptown Footy

To see what's going on with the Timbers, we exchanged some questions with Michael Orr of Stumptown Footy. My questions to him are below, and you can see his questions to me over at their blog.

BW: When last we met, there hadn't been enough soccer played to get an idea of how the season would go. Now, the Timbers are in a surprising place, low in the standings. What's been the difference between the impressive 2013 and faltering 2014 teams?

BW: Tell us a bit about the Timbers newest DP, Fanendo Adi.

SF: Adi is technically the second newest DP, with Liam Ridgewell's signing coming a few days later. (Ed note: Hurp derp) Pedantry aside, Adi is a beast of a forward and is just 23. He'd been at FC Kobenhavn and after scoring four goals in his first four games, the Timbers bought out his contract and signed him to a multi-year deal. Though he hasn't scored since signing the DP contract, Adi is a constant threat for center backs, especially if they're not as big and good as Chad Marshall. He's great with his back to goal, he wins headers, he's got a cannon shot and he's got really nice ball skills for a guy his size. He's the polar opposite in style from Urruti or Fernandez, which at least theoretically gives Caleb Porter options depending on the opponent. Whenever Urruti is back from injury, which seems like it could be this week, Adi will be more a part of the overall rotation and that makes the Timbers slightly less predictable. Still, Adi has been a really good addition to the Timbers. Whether or not he justifies the financial investment is question that will require a bit wider of a lens.

BW: What are the expectations for the second half of the season among Timbers fans? Are the fans still expecting playoffs, as you would assume they were in preseason? How high do you think the Timbers could end the season?

I should throw in a note to say that Caleb Porter is publicly debating starting Liam Ridgewell. I don't know if there's any truth in it, in fact I think it's just a ruse. But it is something that's being said on the record, anyway.

Thanks to Michael from Stumptown Footy for the words. Head over to their blog for all you need on the Timbers ahead of our nationally televised match on Friday.