Less than 24 hours remain until the biggest regular season match in MLS history.
So what will it take for struggling Portland to right its ship and conquer its most hated rivals? Portland coach John Spencer chatted with a few media types today as the Timbers’ final training session before tomorrow’s 1 p.m. (ESPN-televised) Cascadia Cup derby wound down behind him.
Practice looked loose and so did Spencer: “This is one of them easy games to coach. I should be able to go into the locker room 10 minutes before the game and go, ‘good luck guys’—and walk out. You shouldn’t need to inspire anybody for a game like this.”
Spencer talked about what he expects from the Portland crowd and what they should expect out of the players: “(A rivalry match) brings out the best in people, and sometimes it brings out the worst in people,” Spencer said before heading inside and taping an interview with The Worldwide Leader. “I think the team that comes out tomorrow and has more winners—more players with a winning mentality—will win.”
He also promised to stand with Timbers Army and stay as sober as possible tonight. Check it: