PORTLAND, Ore. – Those familiar with the dynamic between the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC could have predicted how Sunday night’s match at Providence Park would play out. We had seen that dynamic both before and recently, with the teams combining for one goal a Timbers’ victory five weeks ago.
Per that script, the Timbers would dictate play but be patient, almost conservative; waiting for a moment rather than forcing one. If the Whitecaps couldn’t exploit a Portland mistake, the Timbers would slowly start stretching and probing the Vancouver defense. Ultimately, Portland would either break through before full time or pay a price for their patience.