Portland Timbers Quotes
Head coach John Spencer
On game's difference maker:
"Well, I think they brought in Ryan Smith, obviously tremendous ability, great speed. For me, I think our energy levels from the start of the game to the end of the game weren't good enough; it is a very disappointing performance."
On where the team goes from here: "We've got to obviously come back on Monday and get back to work. As I say, it's a disappointment, we're certainly looking at the last few games. It's not going to get any easier. A few guys in there need to look at themselves tonight and ask themselves are they doing enough on and off the field."
Forward Kris Boyd
General thoughts on match:
"It's disappointing, but we're the ones that are trying to get ourselves out of the hole we're in. We need to dig deep. We need to be men and stand up, and go to LA next weekend and put on a performance. If we [only] keep playing 45 minutes, it's not good enough."
More thoughts on game:
"I think you can see we've got quality players in here. We've played well, tonight for 45 minutes again, but a soccer game doesn't last for 45 minutes. It lasts for 90 minutes. And we need to go out on the pitch and perform for 90 minutes. We can do all the talking we want, but at the end of the day, we need to do it on the pitch. "
On his goal:
"I saw the goalkeeper and defender collide, [the ball] managed to drop and I managed to put it away. But to be honest, I'm a little bit bothered and the most important thing is the team, and tonight we're disappointed."
Chivas USA Quotes
Head coach Robin Fraser
Thoughts on team’s second-half performance:
“We made a few tactical adjustments and were able to spark the right reaction. In the second half, the group was fantastic. They played well together and I was really happy with how disciplined they played. Guys got the ball in key spots and made very important plays.”
On the atmosphere at JELD-WEN:
“It’s a fantastic place to play. These environments didn’t exist when I played, and it wasn’t that long ago. So many stadiums have come up now and Portland is among the top of the list of great environments. Being here is fantastic it’s a great environment and of course it’s better when you win. This is a great environment to be in for the players and this is what soccer should be like.”
On Ryan Smith’s performance:
“Smith was brilliant. He came in the second half and, right from the outset, he put his stamp on the game. He was immediately giving the right backs some problems and was looking to be a threat. In the end of the day, he got two assists and put in a number of good crosses.”
Midfielder Ryan Smith
On team’s halftime adjustments:
“We got better possession, which we found to use more wisely [in the second half]. However, in the end we came out with a win. It was a great result for us. Especially with the recent loss that we had, it was nice to see us bounce back tonight.”
Forward Alejandro Moreno
On his goal:
“I just floated into the box past the defender and found a good ball. I was able to rise above and snap a header into the goal. I was very happy for the team and the result and certainly it was a goal that allowed us to believe in what we are doing on the field.”
On Ryan Smith’s performance:
“Ryan is a guy that has a lot of speed and quickness, and when he puts his mind to it he can make a difference for us. We want him to keep doing what he’s doing because he’s a tremendous person that displays his skill on the field. He obviously did that when he came into the game.”
Notes:
- On Boyd’s goal, the Timbers scored the game’s opening goal for the first time in 2012. The Timbers had conceded the opening goal in each of its first four matches of the season.
- Boyd’s strike was also the first, first-half goal scored by the Timbers this season. The club’s six previous goals scored entering the match had all come in the second half of games.
- All six of the Timbers’ goals scored at JELD-WEN Field this season have been scored in the north goal in front of the Timbers Army.
- Six of the Timbers’ seven goals on the 2012 season have been scored from within the penalty box.
- Against Chivas USA, Portland suffered its first defeat as an MLS side when owning a lead at halftime and are now 9-1-4 in games in which they led at the break. The Timbers were 9-0-4 in 2011 when leading at halftime, including a 7-0-2 mark at JELD-WEN Field.
- With the loss, the Timbers are 1-2-0 all-time against Chivas USA in regular-season meetings; Saturday marked the first home loss to Chivas USA.
- Across all competitions, including a U.S. Open Cup play-in match last season, the Timbers are 2-2-0 against Chivas USA.
- Of the eight goals allowed by the Timbers during the regular-season, three have been scored in the final 15 minutes of a match. Those three late-game goals have all come within the last two games – a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake on March 31; Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Chivas USA.
- The Timbers are 6-3-1 all-time against the Western Conference at JELD-WEN Field.
- At home, the Timbers are 10-7-3 all-time against MLS sides at JELD-WEN Field.
- Last time the Timbers lost back-to-back home games was July 2 and July 10, 2011 – a span of 21 games dating back to last season.
- The Timbers defense held Chivas USA without a shot on goal in the first half. It is the second time this season in which Portland’s backline has held an opponent without a shot on goal in a half, the other was the first half against Philadelphia on March 12.
- The Timbers were out-shot 14-12 by Chivas USA, marking just the second the team has been out-shot by its opponent. The other was against Real Salt Lake, a 3-2 loss, on March 31 at JELD-WEN Field.
- Portland’s 12 shots Saturday matched a season low, but the club has had double digit shots in each of its first five matches of the regular season.
- The Timbers’ two corner kicks against Chivas USA is a new season low.
- After coming off the bench in each of his first two appearances for the Timbers, midfielder Franck Songo’o made his first MLS start against Chivas USA on Saturday. He played 62 minutes and had two shots.
- Two Timbers players reached MLS career milestones against Chivas USA, with midfielder Eric Alexander playing in his 50th match and defender Lovel Palmer making his 60th MLS start.
- Defender Mike Chabala made his season debut for the Timbers, entering the match at halftime as a sub.
