Are we going to see a "B" team this game?

Le Toux needs a break. Rochat got hurt. Davidson might get "sat out".

Chris said: Strongly hoping we don't see those awful mismatched kits again this year.

They're a logical choice given that Portland wear white shorts. I didn't mind it.

DannyBoy said: I don't get the disdain for the 'mismatch'. I find monochrome kits to be boring tbh.

Portland Timbers look great with their white shorts and sleeves. I hope they keep the look, because it is almost unique in the world, other than Hibernian FC of Edinburgh.

There's another reason to oppose monochrome kits and prefer different short colours: resistance to commercialism. Teams in MLS tend to go towards "one colour from head to toe" (Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Columbus Crew, DC United, New England Revolution, Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Fake Salt Lake, etc) because this increases the impact of the sponsor log on their jerseys. I don't care what's "great for sponsors", I'm much more interested in variety, pageantry, and staying true to the uniform heritage of the sport. I'm not picking on Liverpool or Real Madrid (or teams that have been monochrome for a long time), but not everyone needs to go monochrome.

I'd rather see more striped jerseys in MLS, and was disappointed that Montreal Impact didn't use blue and black stripes on their kit, like Inter Milan or Club Brugge. Rather than wearing all black, I'd love to see San Jose dress like Gremio of Brazil: sky blue and black stripes with white pin-stripes to separate them, black shorts, white socks. While FC Dallas should wear white shorts rather than red ones with thier hoops, I do respect that they are at least trying to do something different, and (other than Hamilton Academical) could be unique in world football. How New England DON'T wear red and white stripes over blue shorts is beyond me. Whitecaps could be unique in world football if they proudly wore their blue hoop all the way around their jersey. Vfb Stuttgart do so with red on white, and Boca Juniors do so with yellow on blue, and good for Chicago Fire in doing so with white on red. So what if the sponsor name would have to fit into it - there is way too much boring monochrome in MLS. The club's "brand" has to supercede the branding of companies that sponsor it, IMO.

If anyone here wants to see some interesting team colours, look at the current NASL site. When Puerto Rico Islanders (in orange) play Tampa Bay Rowdies (in green, with yellow and green hooped sleeves); or when Tampa Bay play Fort Lauderdale Strikers (yellow and red hooped jersey and black shorts), there is no denying that those are striking uniforms.

Teams in rugby are, sadly, also following the monochrome trend, for the same commercial reason. Rugby has a rich tradition of interesting jersey patterns - like the quarters of Harlequins, the various width hoops as used by Leicester Tigers, etc. Yet most of the "new" rugby teams formed since professionalism (Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, many of the Super 12 teams, etc) sadly ignore the heritage of their own sport, and because they are plastered in sponsor logos tend to adopt the boring monochrome look.

I actually have nothing against mismatched uniforms, just those particular ones. They looked like exactly what they were: makeshift kits to avoid a clash. They didn't look very good to me. I would love it if the Caps went out on a limb with their jersey. I plan o buying the third when it's released, a I like that it's reasonably unique.

I actually like the blue shorts with white shirts, and I think white shorts with blue shirts is better (in my mind anyways since I've never seen that combo). That way there'll always be a "Whitecap" on the unis, if that makes sense. The entire blue kit doesn't exactly feature a lot of white.

But the hoop needs to come back full-time, looks so so much better. That's why I'm encouraged it's being featured on the 3rd kit, if sales are popluar (tough to say, given that it's brown) then hopefully they'll go with a hoop for the next version.

I think the Whitecaps will tend towards the white kit, as it is their primary, except when the opponent wears a white or light-coloured kit. If you think about it, they don't wear the blue one very often.

Surely they thought ahead this year.

Interesting line up. Camilo and Chumiento with Letoux up front.... Would have rather seen the Mattocks Salgado tandem again. I hope the don't get their wires crossed. I also hope Thorrington can provide some service. Or else this will be another long game

Been okay, I guess. Not much going forward though really.

Atmosphere sounds good but they showed our group only twice so far I think. The cameras they're using are in the same stand as our boys and girls so you don't get to see them at all during gameplay. I'm sure they're having a good time though.

Portland starting to press. The 'caps definitely miss the runs of Lee, he just doesn't seem to have the legs to get forward right now. Hopefully the break will help.

Would like to see anyone to be honest. Wtf.

Mattocks has the look of a star. It helps when he doesn't have to think. That's wasn't a speed goal either, just a quickness and touch goal. Awesome.

A point here would be a good result. Five minutes to hang on. Perlaza starting to get some runs at DeMerit and Bonjour.

BTW, this is not the stadium for Camilo. He needs the big pitch to make runs at people. Come on bitches. Looks like the point is safe, good result in the end for a team that needs a break.

Thank you Mattocks, Thank you.

Jay_Duke said: How bad was the officiating? Only listened to team1410... Very critical.

I'm getting sick of this story.

Did not think it was that bad, got some big calls right, like DeMerit's tackle in the box, and not buying Mattocks' bullshit (and also not giving a handball on the Mattocks goal). Schaad is not always the most objective observer.

Officiating was good by MLS standards. Compared to the Gong Show we've seen in the V's Cup it was refreshingly fair and accurate. Not perfect but very good. Demerit got the ball before the player in the box. Hell of a gutsy play by JD. Good non-call by the ref. I thought the ball went off Mattocks' shoulder. I'll have to watch it again. I'll give the crew 7/10. It would be 8 but the line judges got it wrong too much on throw ins.

Anyway over to the game. Surprised so many who played Wednesday played today and looked good. YP Lee and Rochat both looked better but not 100%. The 3 defensive mids (JMD, Thor, Gersh) held the fort pretty good on a narrow pitch. Davide played a whale of a match.

Nice to see Mattocks get over his 3 misses last week with a very pretty finish. Power run through the bouncing ball, volley on target and hey 1 shot, 1 goal. That's more like it! The fact that he isn't spooked by going 0 for 3 last week is a great sign.

DeMerit is MOTM for me. Huge game even when beaten he managed to break up the play.

Given the tough run of games and travel, happy to take a point tonight. Not an outstanding performance, but a workable effort on the road, and a great piece of work by Mattocks to grab the draw.

Officiating was solid, only real complaint was booking Thorrington for persistent infringement on Thor's first foul of the night - somehow he got the punishment for Koffie's fouls.

Would have liked to have seen substitutions 10 minutes sooner. Thought Camilo wasn't really threatening and would have had him off sooner, LeToux wasn't outstanding, but was still contributing something. Good effort from Thorrington, too.

Had the Portland broadcast down here, only showed our support after the goal, but there were certainly a few times when you could hear them.

Fair result after the latest stretch of games. We didn't generate too much offence but we didn't let them get many either. At least the team actually showed up. Again Chumiento should have started in the midfield. Cant wait for Robson to get here just for that added midfield depth. The experiment up top was bad. Mattocks is a pure goal scorer and an extremely dangerous asset. Also glad we get a little break Until the next game. Gives us a chance to rest and reload for Houston.

Bistchen,did you watch the game on tv,internet or were you there at the stadium?I agree with all you said except for your comments about Bonjour and Davidson.You are completely off and would like you to be specific when you say they didn`t play well.It is not just about stats although his passing completion was 88%.But each to his own.The team played well together!Get some rest guys and be ready for the next game.

jemal said: Bistchen,did you watch the game on tv,internet or were you there at the stadium?I agree with all you said except for your comments about Bonjour and Davidson.You are completely off and would like you to be specific when you say they didn`t play well.It is not just about stats although his passing completion was 88%.But each to his own.The team played well together!Get some rest guys and be ready for the next game.

Just my personal observations on the Caps tonight. If you don't agree with them, then thats fine.

Wife still mad about the scarf swap. Thanks to Kevin Fitzpatrick for swapping. Maybe see you in vancouver!

I really think Mattocks needs to be moved into a starters role for the next couple of games. Keep Hassli as your sub and maybe rotate Salgado, Camilo and Le Toux in the other attacking spots. This guy looks like he is going to be a star in MLS (if he stays and doesn't try to run off to Europe!).

To be honest I was disappointed in the line-up tonight and personally feel Martin got it wrong. Salagado and Mattocks have been two of our very best players recently, far better than Le Toux and Camilo, and both offer pace, something we are really lacking at times. They were also fresh, yet we only saw Mattocks for ten minutes and Omar for none.

Regardless of what De Vos was saying over and over (need to play it wide), playing on a narrow but long pitch dictates a need to stretch the field vertically. I suppose that was what Seba was supposed to do but, although he has phenomenal stamina, he is not a speed burner at all and never really looks like running straight past anyone, unlike Darren or Omar.