We Didn't Start At The Fire - Portland Timbers vs Club Tijuana & Chicago Fire

It’s Timbers Time and in this episode we analyze Marti Cifuentes' start as Timbers coach as he begins his tenure with a 3-1 home win against Club Tijuana and a 2-1 road loss to the Chicago Fire. We discuss the squad depth as tiredness starts to hit in a tough run of short rest games, and Kevin Kelsy’s value as a big bid from Europe comes in for our in form striker…  RCTID!This episode's key talking points include:We bemoan a lack of squad rotation that left the team leggy on the road, and dig into the depth chart to discuss if a shallow roster is to blame and what positions we should target before the transfer window closes in two weeks’ timeThe team bounce back from a drab first half to beat a rotated Tijuana team comfortably with a dominant second 45Is Velde having composure problems with his shooting or is it just poor shot selection?Has Trey Muse done enough to prove he’s a capable backup?We’re very disappointed not to see any Izoita minutes in Leagues Cup, especially as his fine form has led T2 to their first playoff appearance since 2018The pitch in Chicago is a disgrace and Cifuentes is right to call it out publiclyA comedy of defensive errors gives Chicago a two goal leadVelde and Fory are carrying a lot of the Timbers’ offensive load down the left recentlyThe Bye back post header routine strikes again! The Timbers are making the most of set piece opportunities with their tall roster and volume of dead ball playsAn astonishing last gasp two on one defensive stop caps an excellent week of play from young left back Jimer ForyHow bad a loss was the road defeat in Chicago in totality?Will Finn’s recent downturn of form cost the Timbers in transfer fees when he moves? Is now the right time to sell him if he won’t sign a new deal in Portland?What do we make of Rangers’ $10m bid for Kevin Kelsy? What’s a price we can’t say no to for our in-form young striker?Content Warning: Some “s” words and similar moderate swearsTimestamps:(0:00) Introduction(1:00) Chit Chat - Grumpy Fans, Heavy Schedule(4:02) Tijuana (H) - Pre-Game & Lineups Analysis(9:32) Tijuana (H) - First Half Analysis(16:51) Tijuana (H)  - Second Half Analysis & Full Time Thoughts(27:49) Chicago (A) - Pre-Game & Lineups Analysis, Field Issues(31:57) Chicago (A) - First Half Analysis(41:39) Chicago (A) - Second Half Analysis(51:44) Chicago (A) -  Full Time Thoughts & Man of the Match(57:12) Chicago (A) -  Post Game Pressers(1:04:41) Do the Timbers have Depth Issues? What Positions Should We Target?(1:11:05) Timbers News Roundup - Rangers Bid $10 for Kelsy! T2 Make The Playoffs!(1:17:42) MLS News and Transfers(1:19:38) Next Episode Preview: San Diego and LAFCListener Topics and Questions!Thanks for listening and please do send us your questions or topics for analysis for the next episode: ⁠⁠⁠timberstimepod@gmail.com or DM us on IG:  timberstimepod or leave us a Reddit comment on our episodic r/Timbers post