Niche Cache. Good vibes.
Phil Neville:
“He has owned it. For us he’s still a kid, a baby, he’s in his first season. He’s been outstanding so far this season and every little test that’s been put in front of him, he’s risen to the challenge and this is another test for him. Playing against maybe Giroud, a World Cup winner, obviously got Bouanga in there. They’ve got great attacking talent and it’s another test he’s got to rise to.
The kid just never wants to stop learning. Him and Liam Ridgewell and Ian Smith had a meeting yesterday in my office because there was not much space anywhere else and they were literally in there for an hour. They want to learn, they want to review, they want to see the opposition they’re playing against. I think with players like that who have that growth mentality, they definitively have a big future.”
Surman was indeed up against Olivier Giroud as Portland hosted LAFC in what ended up being a bonkers game of football. LAFC thought they’d scored after 75 seconds when Denis Bouanga ran through but he was called back for offside. Instead Portland scored an early penalty via Felipe Mora and then were 2-0 up after 42 mins when Santiago Moreno struck. In between, Bouanga had another goal disallowed for offside... but Olivier Giroud scored from a direct free kick, in off the crossbar, to make it 2-1 at half-time. Ryan Hollingshead hit the post for LAFC before Bouanga later set up David Martinez for a 64th min tap-in. Mora restored Portland’s lead on 66’, only for Bouanga to score from the penalty spot right at the end for a 3-3 draw. Portland still nearly won it when they hit the post from a free kick but nah bro, didn’t happen for them.
LAFC seemed capable of tearing through the Timbers midfield at will so Surman was constantly getting turned around having to deal with the pace of Bouanga and the physicality of Giroud. About as tough a test as he’s faced in MLS so far. Plenty to learn from that bout but once again he emerged with reputation unscathed. Still blocked a couple shots. Still made a couple interceptions. Still leads the entire MLS for defensive clearances. You get the feeling it won’t be long before he scores a goal either... Portland are definitely keen on getting his heading ability up there at set piece time. The Timbers are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak.
