Finn Surman (Portland Timbers | USA)

Soccer City's Starters ✍️

▪️ Eryk in the middle 😮‍💨
▪️ Crépeau in goal 👐
▪️ Surman in support 🇳🇿@LeaguesCup x #RCTID pic.twitter.com/bOWJQFhZCf

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 9, 2024

Potential debut for Surman off the bench today v St Louis. 🤞

20 year old midfielder Jake Girdwood-Reich (ex SFC) on the bench for St Louis.
1-1 at 60 mins.

Edit - Girdwood-Reich on at 64 mins (1-1), with St Louis going on to win 3-1.
No Surman for Timbers.

Portland out of the Leagues Cup. They don't play again until 25th August. 
So time for Surman to get to know his team mates, train with the first team squad, and maybe get a few games for the reserve team in MLS Pro Next.

Only 8 rounds left in the MLS (plus playoffs), so think Surman may need some injuries to get a MLS start before season end.

Timbers II (8th in the West) play at LAFC II (3rd) in MLS Next Pro tomorrow.
Surman might get a run, though being an away game with the time lost travelling to California etc it's probably unlikely. Better to keep training with the first team.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/08/17/united-states/mls-next-pro/los-angeles-ii/portland-timbers-u23/4320713/

Portland restart their MLS season hosting St Louis City August 25th

Portland (8th in the West) host St Louis City (13th)

Surman on the bench for an MLS game 

Yipe on the pine for the Timbers, as the MLS restarts. 9 man bench with the experienced CB Zac McGraw also there.

Jake Girdwood-Reich (ex SFC) on the pine for St Louis.

Edit - Timbers losing 1-3 at HT. So any subs you think will be attackers.

Timbers with an equaliser in the 99th minute for a 4-4 draw. Surman rides the pine.

Conceding 4 at home surely good news for Finn's chances to make an appearance sometime soon 

imanixsupporter

Conceding 4 at home surely good news for Finn's chances to make an appearance sometime soon 

Any streams to watch these games?

High scores in the MLS, ain't that uncommon. CB Zac McGraw (a sometime Canadian international), who was also an unused sub likely for now ahead of Surman in the pecking order.

Girdwood-Reich came on for St Louis at 86 mins, when they were leading 4-3.
Golazo for Timbers in the 99th min to salvage a draw.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/watch-evander-golazo-saves-portland-a-point-vs-st-louis#watch-evander-golazo-saves-portland-a-point-vs-st-louis

Big North West derby. Apparently these 2 clubs don't like each other much, so interesting game for Surman to observe. Portland (7th in the West) host Seattle (5th)

Surman on the pine. 

If he doesn't get any MLS mins today, Timbers II play at home tomorrow in the MLS Next Pro, so may get a run there

Edit - a 1-0 win Portland with Surman not required 

Not required for Timbers II today.

If he gets mins against either Mexico or USA, hopefully he goes well - so impressing Neville and the Timbers' fans.

Portland (8th in the West) travel to Colorado Rapids (4th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/15/united-states/mls/colorado-rapids/portland-timbers-mls/4286503/

Surman on the pine. Experienced Canadian CB Zac McGraw also on the bench.

Surman will have to be patient re a debut. But I'm sure his good game for the AWs against USMNT will have been noticed, and helped garner some respect with his new club team mates. Neville will be happy.

Calvin Harris starting for the Rapids.

Edit - Surman an unused sub in a 2-1 loss. Harris 79 mins (2-1) for Colorado.

Timbers II have a game tomorrow in the MLS Next Pro. Surman may get a run.
Though there is also a MLS round only 24 hours later on Thursday. Portland hosting the Galaxy.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/18/united-states/mls-next-pro/portland-timbers-u23/la-galaxy-ii/4320781/

Portland (8th in the West) host LA Galaxy (1st)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/19/united-states/mls/portland-timbers-mls/los-angeles-galaxy/4286518/

Surman is not playing for Timbers II today, so a pointer he's at least on the bench again tomorrow in the MLS.

18 yr old Max Middleby (ex CCM reserves) on the bench for LA Galaxy II as they play Timbers II. Middleby is an Australian U18s/20s international and son of Robbie (ex Auckland Kingz)

Surman on the pine as Timbers host the Galaxy. Senior CB Zac McGraw also on the bench.

No shame being a reserve for this game. Galaxy have Marco Reus on their bench.

Edit - Portland win 4-2. Surman & McGraw unused subs.
Starting CB Župarić picked up a yellow, his 6th of the season - but looks like he's already served a suspension after 5 yellows.

There is 4 MLS games in 18 days coming up (before the October FIFA window) so Surman might get some mins. Though the travel load isn't too bad for Portland over those 4 games - just Salt Lake City & Vancouver, then 2 home matches.

At least Finn is getting a front row seat to one of the best stadium atmospheres in the MLS.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/goal-f-mora-vs-la-80#goal-f-mora-vs-la-80

coochiee

Surman on the pine as Timbers host the Galaxy. Senior CB Zac McGraw also on the bench.

No shame being a reserve for this game. Galaxy have Marco Reus on their bench.

Edit - Portland win 4-2. Surman & McGraw unused subs.
Starting CB Župarić picked up a yellow, his 6th of the season - but looks like he's already served a suspension after 5 yellows.

There is 4 MLS games in 18 days coming up (before the October FIFA window) so Surman might get some mins. Though the travel load isn't too bad for Portland over those 4 games - just Salt Lake City & Vancouver, then 2 home matches.

Why spend so much on him and not even give him 5mins?

Elemenop

coochiee

Surman on the pine as Timbers host the Galaxy. Senior CB Zac McGraw also on the bench.

No shame being a reserve for this game. Galaxy have Marco Reus on their bench.

Edit - Portland win 4-2. Surman & McGraw unused subs.
Starting CB Župarić picked up a yellow, his 6th of the season - but looks like he's already served a suspension after 5 yellows.

There is 4 MLS games in 18 days coming up (before the October FIFA window) so Surman might get some mins. Though the travel load isn't too bad for Portland over those 4 games - just Salt Lake City & Vancouver, then 2 home matches.

Why spend so much on him and not even give him 5mins?

Long term project... he has been away with All Whites... lots of potential reasons. I'd be worried if this continues into next season.

Portland (8th in the West)  travel to RSL (2nd)

Surman & McGraw both on the pine.

3-3 draw.
Surman an unused sub. Lachlan Brook (ex WSW & Adelaide) an unused sub for RSL.

Niche Cache

Timbers coach Phil Neville actually spoke about Surman’s game time during the week...

Phil Neville: “[Surman’s] athletic, he wins the ball really well, he’s getting better at his composure. He’s settling into the training great. I really want to get him some minutes from now until the end of the season. It’s going to be tough, he knows that this is a period where he’s going to have to be really patient, but we’ve been really really pleased with how he’s settled into the group. 

He’s gaining belief each day. He knows the way that we play now, and there’s more confidence coming with him every day in terms of how he acclimatises. We’re seeing a little bit more of his personality. I think he’s going to be a really good player for the future of this football club.”

Big game. Portland (8th in the West), travel up the Pacific coast to Vancouver (7th). 

Neville wants to give Surman a debut. Will an opportunity crop up before the playoffs? Timbers up by 3 goals with 15 mins to go or similar.

Surman on the bench.

Unused sub in a 1-1 draw at BC Place. Timbers 9th in the West.
They have 3 regular season games left. 2 prior the Oct FIFA window & 1 after.

Starting to look like a AWs CB MLS Playoffs playoff (8th v 9th). Minny currently 8th & Timbers 9th, both on 45 pts, both with 3 games remaining.

Vancouver 7th (47 pts) with a game in hand, and Dallas in 10th way back on 37 pts.
https://us.soccerway.com/national/united-states/mls/2024/regular-season/r79945/

Portland Timbers (9th in the West) host Austin (11th)

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/03/united-states/mls/portland-timbers-mls/austin/4286559/

Not in the match day squad, as Araujo drops to the bench, with 21 yr old Kamal Miller shuffling across from LB to starting CB. Claudio Bravo into the lineup at LB. 

With Zac McGraw also on the bench, looks like Surman may currently sit as low as 5th in Portland's CB rankings. Hopefully there are some guys moving on in the off season. Neville must have bought Finn to the club for a reason

Edit - Portland 0-1 down at HT

Edit 2 - Timbers (9th, +9 GD) lose 0-1. They are 6 pts clear of Austin (10th, -9 GD) with 2 games left, so baring the unthinkable are locked into the Western Conference Playoffs (top 9 clubs). But like Boxall's Minny will want to finish 7th or higher and avoid the 8th v 9th Play In Playoff Game.

Portland (9th in the West) host Dallas (11th). Dallas with nothing to play for.

On the bench for Portland today against Dallas.

Thought he had a chance to start seeing as Portland have already clinched their play-offs spot. Might mean he could get some minutes of the bench today though hopefully?

Half a Pint

On the bench for Portland today against Dallas.

Thought he had a chance to start seeing as Portland have already clinched their play-offs spot. Might mean he could get some minutes of the bench today though hopefully?

They still have a chance to jump into 7th if they win their last two games and Minnesota drop points. This will avoid them having to play the 8th vs. 9th wildcard game, if I understand correctly (which, considering it's the MLS, is difficult lol)

Yipe that’s basically correct and from memory that wildcard 8th v 9th game is played midweek between last regular season game and playoffs proper. With travel it creates a tough schedule that you want to really avoid if you can. Finishing 7th or higher is important 

Surman may need to wait until 2025 for a debut

Unused sub in a 0-0 draw. Araujo the Peruvian CB came on for starter Miller at 64 mins. Zac McGaw also on the bench with Surman. 

To finish 7th Timbers (46 pts, +9 GD, 33 games) need to win their final match, plus Minny (49 pts, +6 GD, 33 games) to lose their final match and Vancouver (47 pts, +5 GD, 32 games) to get no more than 2 pts from their last 2 matches. 

Unless there is at least 1-2 CBs leaving Portland in their off season, fear Surman may mostly be with their reserve team in 2025. Tuiloma did 1-2 seasons with Portland II when first arriving as a youngster at the Timbers. Though then the MLS barely knew Billy T (he was a DOF Gavin Wilkinson signing). Different with Neville consciously chasing after Finn.

From Niche Cache.
Turns out Timbers will be 8th or 9th (Play In Playoff), so that makes the final regular season game less important, and Surman may get a run. Though maybe finishing 8th means you host the Play In Playoff?

Portland Timbers will be part of that play-in game thanks to the combination of results that unfolded over the weekend. Theirs was a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas, with Finn Surman an unused sub for the seventh time. Since they can’t finish above or below the play-ins, perhaps he’ll get his chance away to Seattle Sounders in the final regular season match. Rest a few key players, let the tall timber New Zealander have a go. Seems legit, right?

coochiee

From Niche Cache.
Turns out Timbers will be 8th or 9th (Play In Playoff), so that makes the final regular season game less important, and Surman may get a run. Though maybe finishing 8th means you host the Play In Playoff?

Portland Timbers will be part of that play-in game thanks to the combination of results that unfolded over the weekend. Theirs was a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas, with Finn Surman an unused sub for the seventh time. Since they can’t finish above or below the play-ins, perhaps he’ll get his chance away to Seattle Sounders in the final regular season match. Rest a few key players, let the tall timber New Zealander have a go. Seems legit, right?

Yeah 8th place does get to host the play in match, so that could stop Finn from getting his first minutes - but hopefully not.

Phil Neville did say he plans to get him some minutes this season so hopefully that is true

Given that travel distances are large in the MLS, can see Timbers really wanting to host the Playin game ie finish 8th

Timbers II season is over as they didn’t make the MLS Pro playoffs. All Whites Nov window might be it for Finn this year. 

Loaned back to the Nix until next January, when MLS pre season will get underway ??

Surman gets his MLS debut! Starting alongside Župarić

Portland (9th in the West) travel to big derby rivals Seattle Sounders (3rd). The Timbers can with a win still avoid the 8th/9th wildcard game, if Minny (7th) lose & Vancouver (8th) at best draw.