Season Preview: PORTLAND TIMBERS FC

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview. This season, each club gets its own dedicated preview, so lets get stuck in with Portland Timbers FC...



IN:
GK Adam Larsen Kwarasey (12/8/14 - transfer from Strømsgodset)
M Dairon Asprilla (12/8/14 - transfer from Alianza Petrolera)
D Nat Borchers (12/8/14 - trade from RSL)
D Jeanderson Pereira (12/8/14 - free)
M Nick Besler (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
D Andy Thoma (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)


OUT:
M Steve Zakuani (retired)
D Michael Harrington (12/8/14 - traded to Colorado)
M Kalif Alhassan (12/8/14 - option declined)
M Steven Evans (12/8/14 - option declined)
D Bryan Gallego (12/8/14 - option declined)
D Pa Modou Kah (12/8/14 - option declined)
D Rauwshan McKenzie (12/8/14 - out of contract)
D Danny O'Rourke (12/8/14 - out of contract)
F Jose Valencia (12/8/14 - sold to Club Olimpo Bahía Blanca)
GK Donovan Ricketts (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to Orlando City)


MANAGER: Caleb Porter


Last season Portland struggled to turn losses into draws, and draws into wins. This season may be no different, as the injury bug has already devastated the team. A few more and they might as well call it a day.


Up front, the Timbers hopes rely upon Fernando Adi to get the goals to make things happen. While he has the potential, I'm still not sold on Adi.

In the mid, Diego Valeri will be missing as he recovers from injury, so Gaston Fernandez will get the chance to show his skill in the creative/attacking role behind Adi. Out wide, Wallace and (soon to be US citizen) Darlington Nagbe look to finally make a real name for themselves in MLS. Holding things down in the middle of the park will be veteran Diego Chara, and with the injuries to captain Will Johnson and also his replacement Ben Zemanski, aged veteran Jack Jewsbury. Look for Nick Besler to compete for time alongside Chara while Johnson continues his rehab.

Defensively, after leaking 52 goals in 2014, the league's worst record, DP Liam Ridgewell is now being teamed with the best beard (very Timbers worthy) Nat Borchers. They could potentially be one of the best CB pairings in the league. The defensive questions however remain with Villafana and Powell in the fullback positions, serviceable players, but nothing to inspire you.

In goal, Ghana international Adam Kwarasey looks to replace Donovan Ricketts after a season to forget for the big man and the Timbers. While a dramatic improvement on paper, its hard to blame Ricketts for the Timbers defensive whoas from last season. Early doors, it looks to be a push.

Overall, Portland looks strong, yet frail. A DP addition in the midfield or forward position come summer would go a long way to saving what could be a brutal start for the Timbers. With two powerful additions to the conference, the Timbers may be competing with San Jose, Houston, and Colorado as the also rans.


2014 Western Conference Finish: 6th
Predicted 2015 Western Conference Finish: 9th


Thank you for reading my season preview for the Portland Timbers. Feel free to check out any or all of the other season previews, including the overall recap, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.