I had my text of congratulations all written and sent off to Timbers HC Giovanni Saverese as soon as they won. It was a good game, the surprising Cincinnati team was the Cinderella Team of these games, but their run has come to an end, after so much tumult around this 2nd year team, it was a good thing for them and the league to get the run they had. It was as the games will get more so as we get deeper into the rounds a physical game, but well played by both, neither dominated and it was very entertaining. It was made more exciting by the victors GK as he went to play a ball with his feet, saw a defender too close dove for the ball and got the player, in the closing minutes no less, setting up the tying PK! He did redeem himself getting in a save in the final PK's and I think his movement may have thrown off another shooter who went way high, his approach and striking of the ball left a lot to be desired.
Next up NYCFC, Saverese did beat them 2X in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with Andres "El Ruso" Flores and many still on his coaching staff, but those were not their full teams, their top players did not even see the field. Add Chris Duvall and ex-NYRB player and there is a bit more to this game.
NYCFC who played far better last game than the previous 3 will have to yet again up their game as Portland is very strong acros the board. Should both simply play to their potential it will be a good game, with it being an elimination game with $1.1 mil on the line and a trip to the ICC at the end of the road, both best be at their best to move on. It will be interesting to see the pair of coaches one from some big time clubs in Europe, the other a product of the hallowed LIU Blackbirds and the very first season of MLS, then coaching here only, though he played overseas and internationally. The game is Saturday, NYCFC will have a bit more rest but 3 days should also be enough. If as players and HC Delia alike said they did not get the players to do things to prep until a day or so ahead of their last game, let's hope for their sake they take that same tact here. While NYCFC may be peaking at jiust the right time, I must go with the Timbers. No homerism here on this one.