Portland Timbers: Overall Thoughts on the California Preseason Games

So after a couple of days of preseason down in California, Portland has wrapped up their last game against the Chicago Fire. The last game in California was a special 120 minute match that ended in a 2-0 win for the Timbers. T his week we had matchups with LA (4-1), Montreal (0-0), Houston (1-0), and Fire (2-0). 

I have to say the Timbers showed up everybody this preseason so far. They have only let in only 1 goal the entire time they were down in California. That is very impressive seeing that last year it was our defense that seemed to have some difficulty — now this year our back line has definitely improved. They also are undefeated while in preseason as the last time they ever lost was back in 2010 back in the USL days.

Timbers Injuries: What is Going On?

So I read on Oregonlive.com and the Portland Timbers website that Eddie Johnson (yes the cute British boy that was out throughout most of last season with a concussion) is out indefinitely with another concussion sustained in training. REALLY? This is not good as we have so many people hurt that its turning out to be very scary for me early on (even before the MLS Season actually starts…not good.)

Then comes Darlington Nagbe being hurt during the match-up with the Galaxy so management is pretty cautious with him.  I can see why as we already have had a concussion with one player and Boyd hasn’t had his work permit figured out yet either. He sustained this semi-injury during the match with a “bothersome right ankle.” This is the second striker in as many days with some sort of injury.