PORTLAND — Some of the newest Timbers made a positive impression in their first starts in front of Portland fans on a crisp Wednesday evening at Providence Park.
Colombian Dairon Asprilla was active both in the attack and backtracking on defense. Brazilian left back Jeanderson was aggressive when he had opportunities to go forward up the left wing. And George Fochive earned praise from coach Caleb Porter for his play as a defensive midfielder.
The Timbers’ 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire in their next-to-last preseason match provided Porter a chance to experiment with attacking options. Maximiliano Urruti and Gaston Fernandez were the first-half forwards, while Fanendo Adi and Darlington Nagbe played the second half.
Porter said he thought both combinations looked good together.
“I wouldn’t say we’re confused about who’s going to start,” Porter said. We have a good sense because we have evidence to go on. But we have good options, so we’ll continue to look at some things on Saturday and then we’ll put out the lineup we feel will give us the best chance to win on March 7.”
The Timbers close out their preseason at 5 p.m. Saturday hosting Staebek of Norway to cap the Simple Invitational. They open the MLS season March 7 at home against Real Salt Lake.
Michael Nanchoff scored for Portland in the 22nd minute on a free kick from 23 yards that deflected off of Chicago’s Alex and past diving goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Nanchoff left the games moments later because of a pulled hip flexor.
The Fire tied it just before halftime when Portland’s Norberto Paparatto headed the ball into his own goal off of a Chicago corner kick. Paparatto was unlucky in that the corner kick eluded two players in front of him and appeared to surprise him.
The Timbers best scoring chance after halftime came in the final seconds when Darlington Nagbe took a left-footed shot that Johnson was able to stop.
The result: Timbers 1, Chicago 1.
The significance: The second of three home preseason games as the Timbers host their Simple Invitational preseason tournament, Porter used 18 players, getting a look at some attacking combinations and some players who are with the Timbers on a trial basis.
The goals: Timbers Michael Nanchoff (free kick), 22nd minute, Timbers 1-0. Fire own goal (Paparatto), 44th minute, 1-1.
What we learned: Signings Dairon Asprilla and Jeanderson look like good fits to Porter’s system. Rookie centerback Anthony Manning again demonstrated good poise and athletic ability. Manning figures to be a Timbers 2 player this season given the experienced central defenders in front of him. … Porter praised the play of George Fochive in holding midfield, saying the second-year player upped his stock more than anyone on Wednesday. … Porter is still experimenting with attacking partnerships, but said he is confident the goals will come.
Noteworthy: Portland had a scoring chance in the 16th minute when Dairon Asprilla’s header off a Nanchoff cross forced a save from goalkeeper Sean Johnson. … Timbers coach Caleb Porter used 18 players. … The attendance was announced as 10,417. … The Timbers are 1-1-3 this preseason. … Through five preseason games, no one on the Timbers roster has scored a goal in the run of play, but Porter likes his team’s direction:
“If you look at last year, where we had problems it was on the defensive side. So I think we’ve really addressed that and corrected that and I’m pleased with how we’ve defended. We do need to get the attack going, but I’m confident that will come.”
Lineup notes: Most of the players who started for Portland are fighting for lineup spots or spots among the 18 players who will regularly dress for league games. The only player who started both Sunday’s match and again Wednesday was Gaston Fernandez, this time alongside Maximiliano Urruti. In the second half, Fanendo Adi played striker with Darlington Nagbe taking over for Fernandez in the other central attacking role as Porter explores attacking combinations. The starting back four were Jeanderson, Anthony Manning, Norberto Paparatto and Taylor Peay. The starting midfielders were Nick Besler and George Fochive with Dairon Asprilla on the right and Michael Nanchoff on the left. For the final 30 minutes, trialist Blair Gavin took Besler’s midfield spot and rookie Andy Thoma took over for Jeanderson at left back. Andrew Weber played and made four saves. The Timbers are expected to give projected starters one more preseason game on Saturday when they wrap up the Simple Invitational against Stabaek of Norway.
Wednesday’s other match: Vancouver Whitecaps 3, Staebek (Norway) 2.
Next up: 5 p.m. Saturday, Timbers host Staebek (Norway). Vancouver plays Chicago at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available.
