PORTLAND, Ore. – The beginning of the week felt like the normal buildup for a team that’s never lacked confidence. Throughout a prolonged winless start and an end-of-season stretch that left the Portland Timbers fighting for their playoff livelihood, the belief of the players never seemed to waver, even if the team’s results said it should. Tuesday and Wednesday were normal. Friday and Saturday were more focused. It was a typical, if slightly more intent, week, even if the weekend’s result would be more important.
But for the 2019 team, results have always been a strange thing. At the beginning of the season, their talent was far better than their 0-5-1 start hinted, while the run the team put together at the end of their 12-game road trip (and into their home schedule) dared the league to adjust.