BEAVERTON, Ore. – If not now, when? That’s the context around the Portland Timbers this week, whose game at the winless San Jose Earthquakes Saturday presents an opportunity for a breakthrough. Also winless in their season’s first four weeks, the defending Western Conference champions visit a team that’s failed to record a point, scored only twice in four matches, has conceded 14 times and is coming off a 5-0 home loss to Los Angeles FC. If the Timbers’ first win doesn’t come this week, when will it come?
That’s not the type of language head coach Giovanni Savarese likes to hear around a game, and in truth, the mood around his team since their return from California has been steady.