Jack Jewsbury's Big Moment Lifts Portland Over Colorado

Jack Jewsbury's last Portland Timbers MLS goal was two and a half years ago in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the time since, the old midfielder lost his starting spot, his captaincy to Will Johnson — and apparently the vice-captaincy to Liam Ridgewell — reemerged as a starting fullback, lost that job too, and came back this year in the absences of Will Johnson and Ben Zemanski as a deep-lying central midfielder.

He's about to lose that job too. Saturday night in Commerce City figures to be the end for Jewsbury in midfield as Johnson reaches full fitness again. But if the last three years have taught us anything, it's that the old man will be back. This time, he went out with a bang.

It was typical Jack: A late run out of midfield on a slightly scrambled play, he fielded a desperate push-pass from Ishmael Yartey, and assuredly finished through the legs of Colorado goalkeeper Clint Irwin. Jewsbury's 93rd minute game-winning goal gave the Timbers a heart-racing 2-1 over the Colorado Rapids, and is firmly established as the best moment of a 2015 season that is back on course again.

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No goal celebration is sweeter than a Jewsbury goal celebration. When Jewsbury scores, he wheels away, big, buck-tooth smile on his face, sheer happiness in place of any chest-thumping intensity or rehearsed shtick.

Jewsbury is reveling in what is now about his fifth act as a slow, wily veteran. His 2015 has already exceeded everyone's expectations, and this goal was the cherry on top of what was an invaluable run of games for the Timbers. Say whatever you want about Gavin Wilkinson, but he got Jewsbury on the eve of the inaugural season for next to nothing from Sporting Kansas City, and over the last five years, the emeritus captain been more than the Timbers ever could have ever hoped for.

The reactions to the goal were priceless. Maxi Urruti just about lost his mind, Caleb Porter was smiling — an uncomfortable sensation for everyone — Alvas Powell collapsed to the grass in exhaustion, and Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni was left to console himself with only his incredible mustache.

Funny game, soccer. Just when you think you know exactly what's going to happen, Jack Jewsbury scores and everyone goes nuts.

Porter said it post-game — the Timbers needed this. Grinding out your victories over DC United's C team, the Impact, and NYCFC is one thing; netting a counter-attacking winner with the last kick of the game is quite another. The hope is now that Portland can put a run together. Four of the next five are at home, starting next weekend against New England. This was by no means the perfect performance, but there were more bright spots.

Urruti, for instance, is playing his best soccer ever for the Timbers. He's done it by toning down the theatrics, and, save for the occasional lapse, playing simpler and smarter. It hasn't hurt that Urruti has dropped deeper into the attack, which allows him to move the ball quicker and not be incessantly offsides. It also hasn't hurt that Fernandez, a player Urruti clearly jives with, has been by his side in these last two games.

It's going to be Urruti for a while. Fanendo Adi has gone to pieces mentally, which is alarming considering he had a solid start to the season, and wasn't actually benched until late April.

Gaston Fernandez, meanwhile, has seemingly risen from the dead. La Gata's opener was his first goal since last September — also in a game at Colorado — and only his second in his last 32. Fernandez has always been something of an enigma — his track record is undeniably good; his Timbers career undeniably confounding. Porter's faith this week paid off in a massive way.

It wasn't all roses, of course, and if Jewsbury hadn't netted the game winner, or if Colorado played with more sense and competence than your average doorknob, we'd be sitting here bemoaning another two points lost on a typical late concession.

Despite being the better team by a long margin, Portland faded quickly after Fernandez's goal. The manner of Sam Cronin's late belter to tie the match was surprising, that the Timbers gave up the late goal was not. In the last week, Portland has played competitive matches with DC's reserves and this Rapids team, which might have a hard time with self-respecting high school team. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Timbers are winning, but they're not exactly slaying them in aisles, and the competition is about to get much tougher.

Colorado looked hopelessly mismanaged and a general mess. Their new DP forward Kevin Doyle lined up as a number ten, their best player Dillon Powers started on the bench, and former Timber Michael Harrington was so comically bad that his best moment was pretty much any time his guy didn't run by him. His defending on the Timbers' game-winner, as expected, left plenty to be desired.

With all that said, the Rapids' equalizer was coming. Their total lack of effort and lack in energy in recovering on defense on Jewsbury's goal however, was inexcusable. They deserved to lose. Portland should have no qualms about winning a match that was the team's third in eight days, and played without Diego Valeri, Johnson, and Diego Chara. Judging by their post-game jubilation, they don't.

It's a long season, and it's going to be a season full of ups and downs because the Timbers aren't that much better or that much worse than anyone in MLS. This squad is feeling its oats right now, but the playoff race is going to be close all the way.

Tonight though, it's Portland's first-ever win in Colorado, and it's sheer joy. This one belonged to the old captain, and the Timbers wouldn't have it any other way.