So much for that theory.
One week ago, as the Portland Timbers were coming off a 4-1 loss at the Houston Dynamo, we used this space to highlight how different the team’s defense has been performing with and without Liam Ridgewell. Seven days later, we’re left looking for different explanations, as a backline featuring the veteran defender gave up five goals in games against Columbus Crew SC (in a 3-2 win on Wednesday) and Minnesota United (in a 3-2, Saturday road loss).