BEAVERTON, Ore. – Fanendo Adi has punished opponents with 26 goals since the start of the 2015 MLS season. His improvement as a target player who can hold off defenders was a significant piece of the Portland Timbers run to the 2015 MLS Cup championship.
But might the 25-year-old Nigerian be getting punished for his own strength?
Timbers coach Caleb Porter argued just that this week.
“Officials have to look at the situations because there are way more fouls happening on Adi than are being called in the game,” Porter said. “They’re draped on his back. They’re pushing him. Because he’s strong and stands up a lot of times the call just doesn’t come and I just don’t think that’s fair.”
Adi, who twice in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Seattle appealed for a call after ending up on the ground inside the penalty area, agrees with his coach.
“He’s very right. I get a lot of fouls in the game they don’t call. Sometimes I’m really frustrated, but as a footballer you just have to keep going,” Adi said. “You just have to show how tough you are as well.”
At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, Adi presents a unique challenge for opponents. Yes, he can put away chances as he has done 10 times this season. But his impact grew considerably last season when Adi began to consistently thrive as a target player willing to hold off defenders and give skilled teammates such as Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe a chance to join the attack.
Porter calls that role vital to the Timbers tactics. But the coach also wonders if Adi isn’t being penalized for standing strong against aggressive defenders.
“It’s maybe hurt him in getting calls, but he’s really developed into one of the best target forwards in this league,” Porter said. “He can hold the ball as well as any guy I’ve seen over the years in this league.”
Adi’s hold-up ability gives Portland defenders a target to relieve pressure. So even when he isn’t scoring – his goal in the win over Seattle last weekend was only his second during Portland’s run of nine games unbeaten – Adi’s presence is vital.
Adi, who joined the Timbers in June of 2014, admitted it took him a while to learn that he couldn’t count on whistles to discourage opponents from fouling him.
“Definitely it was a tough [adjustment], but now I’m pretty much used to it,” Adi said with a chuckle.
