Timbers Nation delves into questions Saturday night

What just happened?

That was the question on the minds of the Timbers players, fans, and anyone else who watched the Timbers give up two goals in the final five minutes in a 3-2 loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.  What just happened?

After the final whistle, almost everyone associated with Timbers had the same glazed over, look of shock on their face. Whether it was Merritt Paulson with head-in-hand in front of his office computer or Kris Boyd slumped over with both hands on his chin in the locker room, no member of the Timbers organization could seem to make sense of what had just happened.

Just 30 minutes before the final whistle, the only question running through the minds of the Timbers Army was, “did that just happen?” As Darlington Nagbe blasted a volley over Nick Rimando giving his 2011 MLS Goal of the Year a fitting sequel and the Timbers a 2-1 lead 65 minutes into the match.

But, Nagbe’s golazzo was not the question on everyone’s mind after the match. John Spencer faced the media with the same look of confusion that was being worn by most at Jeld-Wen. What just happened?

“I don’t think at any one time Real Salt Lake stopped fighting,” Spencer said. “We knew we had to match them for 90 minutes, and we matched them for 84 minutes.”

As to what actually happened on the two goals that were scored late by RSL, the replays tell some of the story. On the tying goal by Jonny Steele, the usually reliable James Marcelin gave the ball away softly to Javier Morales. Then Steele easily sidestepped Eric Brunner, who looked to be running on fumes.

The game winner by Kyle Beckerman is even easier to diagnose after multiple viewings. At least seven Timbers defenders were ball-watching and none of the players on the pitch saw Beckerman waving both his arms in the air to notify Fabian Espindola that no one was marking him.

And if Beckerman’s face looked familiar during his post-goal celebration, it was because it was the same one that Troy Perkins had as he sat down on the field staring at his defense. What just happened?

The Timbers aren’t the first MLS team to lose a game they were winning after 85 minutes. And they won’t be the last. It is how they come back this April Fool’s Day-like stomach punch that will define the early part of their 2012 season.

Will the memories of Saturday lead to sluggish performances in upcoming games vs Chivas USA, LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City? Or will the disappointment provide motivation going forward?

While those questions will be answered in the coming weeks, one direct question remains as Jeld-Wen Field employees cleaned up a deserted, dimly-lit stadium.

What just happened?

-- Mike Donovan

For Timbers, the time is now for Nagbe

Going into halftime Saturday in Frisco, Texas, the Portland Timbers were behind 1-0 on the scoreboard and Darlington Nagbe was not on the pitch for the second consecutive first half.

Five minutes into the second half, Nagbe was in and the Timbers were no longer losing.

A Nagbe goal four minutes into the second half earned the Timbers a 1-1 draw in their first away match of the season.  Unlike the Timbers home opener on Monday at Jeld-Wen, Nagbe entered the game as a striker and not a midfielder.

While his goal was only set up after a disastrous screw-up by FC Dallas midfielder Daniel Hernandez, his finishing ability and presence of mind to turn and fire on net had zero to do with an opponent’s mistakes.

According to head coach John Spencer last season following the New England home game, Nagbe prefers to play up top paired with another striker. With newly acquired striker Kris Boyd a ready-and-willing presence in the box, Nagbe might have found his perfect match.

It was not just the goal that earned Nagbe the right to start at striker for the Timbers in upcoming matches. It was his touch and passing ability. His first touch is clearly far above any other potential starting forward on the club, while his ability to pass in tight spaces is a notch above Jorge Perlaza.

Nagbe’s ascent to striker would also clear up Perlaza to be used as a speedy, change-of-pace forward in the final 20 or so minutes of a match. Perlaza would have a game changing ability going against defenders that had been on the pitch for the entire game.

Another plus of Nagbe starting as a striker is how it clears up the jumbled outside midfielder position. Assuming Franck Songo’o eventually starts, the Timbers will have two defined starters (Kalif Alhassan and Songo’o) and two defined backups (Sal Zizzo and Eric Alexander) on the wings.

While Nagbe does not have the height of most starting MLS forwards, his excellent jumping ability and sheer soccer IQ make up for his lack of inches. Nagbe displayed his ability to beat much taller defenders in last year’s 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthwaukes at Jeld-Wen.

Using his brain and leverage, the 21-year-old beat 6-foot-5 defender Bobby Burling to a ball and then slotted in a cross to Cooper, who found the back of the net. Plays like that demonstrate Nagbe’s ability to play against much taller central defenders.

Sometimes in sports, players lose their spot not due to their inability, but simply because another player gives his team a better chance to win. And that is exactly what is happening to Jorge Perlaza. His demotion paired with Nagbe’s promotion would simply make the Timbers better.