It felt like the Portland Timbers’ septem horribilis came two weeks ago, in the D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City trips that followed August 11’s upset loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Now, in the middle of what’s followed, this week feels much worse, even if the Timbers are hoping for better results.
The team is now in the middle of three games in seven days, stretching between a Sunday night affair and an early (by Pacific time standards) Saturday kickoff. Games against both of last year’s MLS Cup finalists are followed by a cross-country trip to play a pressing team.