Diego Valeri prefers to live in the moment.
Why wouldn't he? The 32-year-old continues to be one of the league's marquee players bamboozling defenders, creating chances and scoring great goals. With a game that doesn't rely heavily on pure athleticism, Valeri is still playing like he's in the middle of his prime. He followed up his 2017 Landon Donovan MVP winning campaign with another double-double in 2018, 10 goals and 12 assists, and has been scaling the peaks of infallibility over his first two playoff games.
"I try to think always in the present," Valeri told MLSsoccer.com. "I try to be better every day, taking care of all the details. How can I help the team in my role?It depends what the team needs. It's all about that, it's all about how much you love the game, how much you love what you do. I'm privileged."
After winning the MVP last year, Valeri hasn't felt any pressure for his encore-- well, any extra pressure, at least.
"No, no, no," Valeri insisted. "That MVP award was an honor, but it's just that. Soon we started the preseason, I realized it was a new season, we had some changes and it's all new. Nothing that is pressure, just the normal pressure about performing, getting results and playing well. It's all about that, nothing about the award."
The pressure is nothing new for Valeri.
Since he joined the Portland Timbers in 2013, the club has made the playoffs four out of six seasons. This season they went on the road for a Knockout Round game against FC Dallas where Valeri inspired a 2-1 triumph, scoring both goals. They were out-possessed (66-34), outshot (22-5) and played a man down for the final half-hour, but only one team had Valeri.
His heroics earned Portland a spot in the Conference Semifinals against rival Seattle Sounders. The Timbers took care of business in the first leg, packaging a 2-1 aggregate lead as the series shifts to Seattle. Valeri assisted the team's first goal with a sublime outside-of-the-foot throughball and helped force the second goal, dribbling 30 yards into the 18-yard-box before Sebastian Blanco did the rest.
Portland were on the offensive much of the afternoon and could be disappointed their excellence showed only by one goal, not two.
"We're happy, every game is really hard and we have an advantage," Valeri said. "Obviously two goals difference would be better, but one goal is good. It's 90 more minutes, we have to be focused. It's one step less to the Western Conference final, that makes us happy."
After making his team happy over 90 minutes, Valeri made the internet happy after the final whistle. He held his daughter Connie, who was repping a sweet Portland Thorns kit, while conducting his postmatch interview with ESPN.
"Kids are innocent and they really like the end of the games, to be on the field," Valeri said excitedly. "They like to see what's happening, the cameras and that stuff. Everyone knows us here in the club, they know how much we love the club and the city. She's lucky to be one part of this community."
Connie will be on the edge of her seat on Thursday night for Leg 2 (10:30 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN, TVAS). A draw or win at CenturyLink Field would see Portland advance to the Conference Championship.
"We are very confident about our team, no question," said Valeri. "We've been through the season, good moments and bad moments from times, but that's what the season is. We are here with a chance to go to the finals. We are very confident about that reality."
Valeri will enjoy that reality, one moment at a time.
