PORTLAND—Hailed by Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter as “difference makers,” both Sebastián Blanco and David Guzmán wasted no time on Friday showing exactly why they were worthy of such lofty designations during the Timbers' 5-1 victory over expansion debutant Minnesota United FC on Friday.
Though their contributions to the traditional box score were perhaps limited, Porter – ever aware of the importance of analytics – found much to be happy about with his offseason acquisitions.
Blanco was every bit the two-way player as advertised, making plays up-and-down the right channel. On top of his three shots, the winger had nine ball recoveries one of which included suffering the foul at the near post that set up theteam's set piece goal in the 14th minute.
What’s more, Blanco gives Porter one more agent of chaos he can unleash on opponents as was on full display in the 47th minute when Blanco found Diego Valeri to get his first assist of the season.
The potential Blanco possesses provides Porter more tactical flexibility that the Timbers coach desires. “Now we have wingers come inside, we can push our full backs out in the flanks,” Porter said.
“When they want to score and when they want to play aggressive, it’s scary.”
Porter had already seen enough of Guzmán as an opposing coach, as the midfielder played a key role on the Saprissa team that knocked Portland out of the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League last fall.
Besides adding valuable protection to the back line, Guzmán will be the cog charged with helping Portland maintain possession. On Friday night, the Costa Rican international was often the focal point of the Timbers, leading both teams with 84 touches.
Forward Fanendo Adi – who scored a stoppage time brace in the win – agrees that Guzmán and Blanco bring something special to the team.
"Having [Sebastián] Blanco and [David] Guzmán in has brought a lot of different dimensions to the team," he said. "Guzmán is a guy that holds the ball for us, and Blanco is a guy that plays both left and right. They’re amazing additions to the team.”
