Welcome back to MLS Film Room, a new series here at Backheeled where we dive into trends, tactics, teams, players, and more from around MLS. In the first edition, we spotlighted a center back who’s more attacker than defender. Read (and watch) that story here:
Joseph Lowery
The three star attackers each stood, smiling while celebrating in true Portland Timbers fashion: by holding a giant slab of log.
The occasion? The trio had just become the first in MLS history to record 14 goals apiece in a single season. In the middle stood Evander, the Brazilian attacking midfielder who’s emerged as a true game-changer in Phil Neville’s 4-2-3-1. On one side of Evander stood Felipe Mora, the striker whose first healthy season in years has allowed his quality in the box to show itself. On the other side stood Jonathan Rodriguez, the newest member of the trio.
This the Big Three they're talkin' about 😏#RCTID pic.twitter.com/s6mraAjO0C
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) September 19, 2024
Signed as a Designated Player from Liga MX’s Club America back in March, Rodriguez has thrived on the left wing for the Timbers. The 31-year-old is tied for 11th in all of MLS in non-penalty goal contributions, with his 15 non-penalty goals and five assists.
Rodriguez has been a revelation on the wing — but not in the way you might think. He’s not dribbling past opposing fullbacks five times every game. He’s not cutting to the end line to hit cutbacks. No, he doesn’t play as a traditional winger at all.
Instead, Rodriguez plays as a target winger, using his physicality and background as a striker to serve as an outlet for long balls, pin opposing fullbacks, create space for his teammates between the lines, and, crucially, to score goals. Rodriguez doesn’t have Evander’s highlight reel or Mora’s central position, but he does have the most tactically interesting role in Portland’s high-flying attack.
Let's dive into the tape to see the finer details of the Uruguayan’s role — and how he executes so well from the left wing.
