Wilkinson: No concern over lack of Timber goals

But coach says Saturday's Vancouver game is a "must win"

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, May 19, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Timber midfielder Shaun Higgins, shown leaping above Vancouver's Jose Roberto Gomes Santana in a 2007 game, had a good showing in two road matches last week, according to Portland coach Gavin Wilkinson. Vancouver plays at PGE Park on Saturday.

SARAH TOOR / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

Portland Timbers coach Gavin Wilkinson stepped off the plane Monday night and declared Saturday’s home game against Vancouver “a must win.”

The Timbers, who are back after ties at Puerto Rico and Miami last weekend, are one game behind Charleston in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. Portland is 3-0-4, with 13 points.

Vancouver is off to a good start, as well, at 3-1-1, 10 points.

“The league is extremely close,” Wilkinson says. “Vancouver is a great, great test for us. We didn’t do well against them in preseason, so now is an opportunity to see where we’re at.”

Wilkinson says he isn’t overly bothered that the Timbers have managed only four consecutive draws, after winning their first three games, all at PGE Park.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve been flat lately; we just haven’t put together a solid performance for 90 minutes,” he says.

And, the Timbers have scored just two goals in their last four games, with none to show for the latest two-game trip.

“There’s no feeling of anxiety or anything,” Wilkinson says of his team’s attacking players. “The guys can see we’re creating chances. We just need a little more composure with them.

“I think the players are trying to do the right thing. It’s just a matter of time until it comes off.”

The lack of recent scoring “is not a concern to me.”

The Timbers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 2-2 tie at Puerto Rico, where they had nothing before produced a point in the standings.

“We showed tremendous character there,” he says.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit