That'll Do, Math: Timbers Claim First Despite Two Losses

photo credit: Aaron Michael Brown

The Portland Timbers broke the USL-1 record unbeaten streak to pieces, performed incredibly on the road, and generally were fantastic this season. True, they took no active hand in their fate this past weekend, but it is the effort of an entire season that made them first in the league. The Commissioner’s Cup doesn’t know the difference, right? The lock on first gives the Timbers a bye in the first round of the playoffs and some well-deserved rest.

Puerto Rico’s loss to Carolina on Saturday sealed the Cup for the Timbers, while the Timbers themselves staggered, creating their first losing streak of the season against Austin and Cleveland. The Aztex played a good scrappy game, and despite dominating pressure at times by the Timbers, two ping-ponging possession battles in the second half gave the Aztex good scoring opportunities. They capitalized on both, and the Timbers were unable to break down the defense in the final minutes.

Cleveland, for its part, converted a free kick from outside the box in true Beckham style. Midfielder Jason Hotchkin bent a shot around the wall and into goal in the 25th minute, and Cleveland hunkered down and survived the rest of the match. The Timbers will have a chance to exact revenge on Thursday, September 17 at 5:00 pm. The Thursday match is the last of the regular season, and is also “All About Kids” day. Kids eat free before kickoff, and a variety of other activities are planned.

We’re also introducing a new feature here at ThePortlander, the Stephen Keel Index. In normal circumstances a plus/minus for a defender would be the number of goals for minus goals against while Keel was on the field, but we’re going to use legitimate complaints minus Keel tantrums. The Keel Index as of the two weekend results is: -3.