PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Timbers came into Wednesday's match against the Montreal Impact on short rest, having just returned home from battling the New York Red Bulls to a draw on Sunday. So, when the Impact drew level with the Timbers just before halftime, the home side knew that they were in for a difficult time in the second half.
"We knew that that second half it would get a little slow," Timbers head coach Caleb Porter told the press after the match. "We knew also that in the second half if it was a draw they would be content to sit on that and that is how it played out."
The Impact, also playing on short rest and having made it all the way across the continent, came out for the second half ready to hold the ball and grind the Timbers down. With Portland pressing forward and looking to grab the lead once again, the Impact were happy to let the already tired Timbers run themselves out.
"I thought the guys were lively and gave everything they had in the first half," said Porter. "I think the second half fizzled a little bit and that has to do with us not having the energy to push and us not having a bench to make a ton of chances to make a push."
Limited by a long list of absences including centerpieces Diego Valeri (ankle) and Diego Chara (yellow card accumulation), the Timbers were not able to make the changes needed to break down the Impact's strong defensive efforts.
In fact, because of the absences throughout the side, Porter only made two substitutions despite his side's tired legs.
"I kept [Jack McInerney], [Fanendo Adi], [Lucas Melano], and Darlington Nagbe on the field because I thought those were the four guys who would find a goal. I let that ride and eventually put on the other two guys that we had," Porter told the press.
Still, according to Porter, the Timbers gave it their all.
"In the end I can't fault the guys' effort," said Porter, "but in the end sometimes you don't get three points. It happens. Sometimes you can't find that bit of magic. Sometimes you can't break a team down that is sitting like they did."
"It is not the end of the world, but we are not happy with it."
