Does almost seem like BT is in career best form. On free kick duties it seems still with Timbers. Think he definitely starts with Reid against Costa Rica. Then if is a back 3/5, does M Boxall or Pijnaker join them?
Interesting that Ticos will likely line up with 3 CBs. Central a very experienced La Liga CB, and a MLS CB either side. AWs could almost be a mirror image
SJ Earthquakes (12th in the West) host Portland Timbers (9th). Tuiloma (3 MLS goals this season) up against fellow CB, Costa Rica's Francisco Calvo (2 goals)
Tuiloma & Calvo both start for their respective teams.
Billy T also has a Costa Rican team mate Marvin Loría, a midfielder who didn't make the Ticos squad. He starts today as well. He's only one 1 friendly for the Ticos back in 2019, though was part of their U23 side in CONCACAF qualifying for last year's Olympics. They were 3rd in their pool behind USA & Mexico U23s.
One of Timbers scorers in their 7-2 win over SKC. Based on level he's playing at, he would likely be in the AWs squad you would think. A probable useless reference point!
Edit - 2-1 San Jose up at HT. Loria with the assist for Timbers goal, then taken off at HT.
The corner flies over Tico Calvo's head (bleached blonde hair, is number 80), and Tuiloma nails it. AWs template! Joe Bell get practicing those corner kicks
Unfortunately Portland did go on to lose 3-2. Full game Tuiloma
Timbers 10th one spot below Minnesota
BT also had a long range free kick palmed away by SJ keeper. But part of a Timber’s defence that too easily conceded SJ’s 2nd goal on a classic counter
Finished a 2-0 win for the Union. Billy T didn't score in this game but almost.
Had a late left foot volley saved by the keeper (Blake is one of the best in the MLS). Tuiloma currently seems like one of the Timbers main attacking outlets. Made the pre assist cross, for Timbers (down to 10th) disallowed goal.
Wonder if he might be better to now move forward into a DM role? For Portland anyway. Did notice he was beaten (well cross just when over his head) for Union's 2nd goal. Might be some defensive errors as a CB that are holding him back from a potential move to a top Euro league, like Nellie did once upon a time from the MLS. Just an observation from 4 mins highlight packages!
He only signed a new 3 or 4 year deal with Timbers late last season, but if he keeps scoring like he is, you'd think is possibility a Euro club would consider making an offer. Age 27. Different era almost, but Nelsen went to Blackburn as a 27 yr old.
From Flying Kiwis. Explains why Tuiloma was prominent in match highlights late on against Phili Union. He was moved to LB. Would really have been a peach of goal with his left foot, if keeper hadn't saved it late on.
Larrys Mabiala was subbed on at CB at around the 65 min mark but not for Bill Tuiloma. For left back Justin Masmussen instead, leading to Tuiloma sliding out wide. One of the first major chances he had to get forward saw him work a couple one-twos up the sideline and them whip a cross in deep to where an unmarked Santiago Moreno very nearly scored. Cleared off the line... yet Sebastian Blanco was there on the follow to make it 2-1. Huge contributions from Bill Tuiloma despite him sharing the glory around for once. Except that it wasn’t a goal because after waiting around for an epoch or two it was determined that a slight flick from the cross had pushed Moreno offside. He was onside from the initial Tuiloma cross.
The Timbers kept bossing things from that point onwards but they couldn’t seem to work their way through the crowd of defenders. Philadelphia kept them out wide and left them relying on set pieces to get the ball into the area which as we know is a major weapon for the Timbers but Philly muscled up to win those headers and prevented Tuiloma from adding to his run of goals.
Having said that, there was one moment. Early in stoppage time, an aerial ball over the top of the defensive line which Tui angled a run towards from his left back spot and he thumped a first time volley towards goal with power, a wonderful strike on the run... but keeper Andre Blake was able to parry it to safety. Would have been a superb goal.
Timbers come up short in Miami though, finishes 2-1. Thought Bill was initially starting, but it appears he came on just after the hour mark.
He’s their top goalscorer, next best is 3 goals. 5 goals from 14 matches is pretty crazy for a centreback, especially considering prior to this season he had 3 goals in 89 for Portland.
Turning into a crazy little scoring streak now for Billy T. He was only subbed on 12 mins earlier in 66th min (Portland down 2-0).
5 from 14 games (12 starts). Top scorer at the moment for Timbers. Next a couple of forwards with 3 each. Which is part of their problem sitting 10th in the West. But they also have 2nd worst defensive record in the Western Conference to date. Bit of an aging side with alot guys aged 30+, so last year losing GF at home likely a massive blown opportunity.
Hopefully BT has one in him for the playoff. Certainly Ticos we have to focus on him a bit, which should free some space elsewhere. He's a real genuine threat.
Edit - not in match day squad, which all in all is understandable. Timbers concede in 88th min, to settle for a 1-1 draw. “Little Pea” Hernandez a full game for the Galaxy
Eh- guess a combination of our forwards not having as much space and the Costa Rican defending/pressing being a step up. Must have more goal contributions than most of our creative players. I guess it’s possibly just game time and playing for his passing/finishing too. Really playing like a Brazilian defender of yore or next stop Koeman territory…
Don’t think that the Bill Tuiloma Resurgence isn’t being recognised all over, either. He didn’t need a goal to work his way into the MLS Team of the Week for that performance. This is his second TOW nod plus he’s been on the bench one other time. Michael Boxall also has one TOW bench appearance.
Eh- guess a combination of our forwards not having as much space and the Costa Rican defending/pressing being a step up. Must have more goal contributions than most of our creative players. I guess it’s possibly just game time and playing for his passing/finishing too. Really playing like a Brazilian defender of yore or next stop Koeman territory…
To be honest he looked nervous against the Peruvians in front of that big crowd, and his passing wasn't great in that game.
Then he got burnt on the outside by that teenager against Costa Rica, in the lead up to their goal. Though is a strong agrument he was fouled. He should have ran to the ref with all his AWs team mates complaining, saying check VAR. But his confidence was likely rocked, and the AWs were shell shocked/stunned mullets.
If he is to become the AWs premier/most experienced CB this next WC cycle he does need to develop a harder, more cut throat edge to his game IMHO. Too much of a nice guy at the moment methinks. Is a strong Christian boy after all. AWs will need someone in that backline with strong leadership, no prisoners attitude aka Nelsen & Reid. Could end being Payne, but a big drop in quality from previous. Maybe either Winnie or M Boxall can nurse their bodies somehow to 2026.
