By Sheba Rawson // @shebainpdx
Well, folks, it’s Gold Cup time, and you know what that means:
https://68.media.tumblr.com/704fab9955d08d296b5338b5d2d7fdc2/tumblr_o1j3y4uCL11qj4315o1_500.gif
That’s right, the Portland Timbers, along with most MLS teams, are on an international break. While we wait for, oh, I don’t know, half the team to recover from various injuries, what say we peek in at how current and former Timbers players are faring with their respective national squads?
Jamaica
Let’s start with the Reggae Boyz, whose roster includes two current players and one former alumnus. From the current Timbers squad: forward Darren Mattocks and right back Alvas Powell, the player who is the best at simultaneously dazzling and disappointing on defense, sometimes within a five second span. From the ranks of former Timbers: Jermaine Taylor, currently with Minnesota United. Taylor had a decent outing in Jamaica’s first Group C game on July 9th, playing a full 90 with 94% passing accuracy and eight steals. (Hmm, solid defending, good distribution. I wonder who could use that right now….)
Both current Timbers also saw plenty of action during this match, a revenge affair against upstart Curacao, who recently surprised Jamaica by handing them a defeat in the Caribbean Cup just a couple of weeks prior. Alvas Powell got the start, played for 83 minutes, and in classic “That’s So Powell” fashion he had a defensive stop and clearance at 68′, followed immediately by his giving away a corner kick. Alvas, Alvas, Alvas.
http://68.media.tumblr.com/7e83b8421c91b7421f8f9aad0981d335/tumblr_mor027nY581relg8bo1_250.gif
Mattocks came off the bench at 59′ but he made it count with this beautiful left-footed volley to score the second goal of the match:
Another insane goal by #JAM, this time by @TimbersFC‘s Darren Mattocks. (Via @UnivisionSports) pic.twitter.com/uMaduU3Pl7
— LuisMiguelEchegaray (@lmechegaray) July 10, 2017
Yes, I know the clip is in Spanish. The key word you’re listening for there is zurdazo. Nice work, Darren. Save some of that hot, sinister scoring for when you get back home, please.
Next up for the Reggae Boyz: Mexico on July 13th. Yikes.
http://www.autocarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/hold-onto-your-butts-velociraptor.gif
Costa Rica
#RCTID faithful arguably had two players to pull for on the Ticos: aside from the bulldog central defender David Guzmán (yes, he is still my favorite signing this year), many Timbers supporters still have a soft spot for current NYCFC player Rodney Wallace, who signed with the Timbers in their inaugural season and played with us for five years before moving on. Both players have had excellent Gold Cup outings so far. Guzmán demonstrated the tenacity and precision that he has shown with the Timbers, getting ample opportunity to practice his corner kicks in the July 7th match v Honduras at Red Bull Arena. He did get a yellow at 85′, which is classic bulldog Guzmán.
Rodney Wallace also had an excellent game, starting for Costa Rica and going 71 minutes before being subbed. He also had the assist on the only score of the match:
#CRC take control of Group A. Intense, hard-fought 1-0 win vs #HON thanks to Ureña’s goal from Wallace’s great cross. #HONvCRC #GoldCup2017 pic.twitter.com/6TG2Z695Tt
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonitoUSA) July 8, 2017
Both Guzmán and Wallace had excellent outings as well when Costa Rica took on Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 11th. Wallace played a full 90 in the 1-1 draw, and Guzmán had, guess what, another corner kick, this time one that led to Costa Rica’s only score in the match:
His CK sets up the equalizer for @FEDEFUTBOL_CR; knotted, 1-1. #RCTID #GoldCup2017 #CRC #LaSele pic.twitter.com/hOMvwiEpdA
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) July 12, 2017
Guzmán subbed off at 61′, which is probably just as well because he already had a yellow from the previous game; and with the play he is giving Costa Rica they will want him on the field for as many matches as they can get him. But he wasn’t subbed off before this tremendous effort, a beautiful line drive just before the half that ALMOST put Costa Rica up 2-1 and that required Canada’s keeper to make a diving save:
Oh my, have a take @DavidGuzmanCR. Nearly puts #CRC up heading into halftime. Tied, 1-1, at the break. #RCTID #LaSele #GoldCup2017 pic.twitter.com/dDMxscKq1L
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) July 12, 2017
United States
Finally, a word must be said about a beloved former player, “El Sueño” aka Jorge Villafaña, currently with Liga MX’s Santos Laguna as well as with the USMNT. I know I am not alone in rooting for Jorge; we miss his deadly crosses as well as his passion. In the July 8th game v Panama he played a full 90 and created a couple of good chances as a left back. As of this writing I have only seen highlights from the match against Martinique on the 12th, in which Villafaña didn’t play this time (which is probably just as well, given some of the defensive stats I see from the match. Oh, dear.)
Well, that’s all the Timbers Gold Cup news that’s fit to print so far. Keep those cards and letters coming! Reminder that the Timbers have their next MLS match at home on July 19th v Real Salt Lake. Want more Timbers-related Gold Cup news and notes, or something else Timbers-esque off the pitch? Hit me up in the comments below, or on Twitter.
Featured image courtesy: timbers.com
Follow and chat with me on twitter // @shebainpdx
Check us out on instagram @mlsfemale
Subscribe + get caught up: Weekly Dispatch 2017
