Timbers go 360 degrees against the Whitecaps
Having entered in to the playoffs on the back of a rip roaring 2-2 draw and a frantic penalty shootout victory over Sporting Kansas City, the Portland Timbers demonstrated another side to their arsenal by locking up the back in a 0-0 draw against their Cascadia rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In as an even contest as has been seen in the playoffs so far, both sides cancelled each other out and to an extent satisfied both coaches going in to the second leg in Vancouver.
Caleb Porter’s Timbers, who were missing the hero of the victory over Kansas City in goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey and player of the season Diego Chara in defensive-midfield, will be buoyed by their recent excellent away run, including an eye catching victory over the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center.
However, Carl Robinson’s Whitecaps have quietly been one of the league’s most impressive sides and will fancy their chances in front of their home crowd.
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Despite Drogba, Impact take control
Having enjoyed a superhuman start to his MLS career. The Columbus Crew seemingly found Didier Drogba’s kryptonite, only to leave Montreal with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Impact. Though, perhaps crucially leaving with an away goal to their name.
Federico Higuain gave the Crew the lead after a calamitous Drogba clearance gifted him the opportunity. However veteran midfielder Patrice Bernier, who has proved to be somewhat of an unlikely talisman so far in Montreal’s playoff adventure. And substitute Johan Venegas, ensured Drogba’s surprisingly ineffective performance was not as significant as many pundits had originally augured.
With the second leg delicately poised, a lot may rest on which Didier Drogba turns up at the Mapfre stadium in Columbus.
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