Portland Timbers FC: 2017 Season Preview
By Tyler Fisher
2015 MLS Cup Champions Portland Timbers FC look for their second championship in club history in upcoming season.
The Portland Timbers had a successful 2015, winning their first MLS Cup. However, being among the favorites in 2016 was a pressure there were unable to live up to. With a 12-14-8 record, the Timbers finished with 44 points and seventh place.
Just two points out of the wildcard spot for the playoffs. The 2015 champs made unforgiving history by becoming the first MLS Cup champions to miss the playoffs in the next season. Not something that went over well with head coach Caleb Porter.
Transfers In.
Just like every other team in the league, Portland has had a handful of transfers in, as well as transfers out. Here are the transfers in.
- D – Marco Farfan (10/14/16 – Homegrown)
- GK – Jeff Attinella (12/20/16 – Trade from Minnesota)
- M – David Guzman (12/22/16 – Transfer from Saprissa)
- D – Roy Miller (1/4/17 – Transfer from Saprissa)
- M – Victor Arboleda (1/12/17 – USL)
- D – Rennico Clarke (1/12/17 – USL)
- GK – Kendall McIntosh (1/12/17 – USL)
- F – Jeremy Ebobisse (1/13/17 – SuperDraft)
- M – Dairon Asprilla (1/23/17 – Loan Expired)
- D – Chance Myers (1/23/17 – Free Agent)
- M – Sebastian Blanco (2/2/17 – Transfer from San Lorenzo)
- M/D – Lawrence Olum (2/3/17 – Trade from Sporting Kansas City)
Transfers Out
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A new number of long time, and fan favorites, moved on from the club in the off-season. Here are the transfers out from Portland who had their swan song.
- M – Ned Grabavoy (10/24/16 – Retired)
- M – Jack Jewsbury (10/24/16 – Retired)
- M – Nick Besler (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- F – Neco Brett (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- GK – Wade Hamilton (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Chris Klute (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- GK – Chris Konopka (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- F – Ben Polk (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Jermaine Taylor (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Andy Thoma (12/12/16 – Option Declined)
- D – Nat Borchers (12/12/16 – Out Of Contract/Retired)
- D – Taylor Peay (12/12/16 – Out Of Contract)
- D – Steven Taylor (12/15/16 – Mutually Agreed to Part Ways)
- F – Lucas Melano (1/9/17 – Loaned to Belgrano)
Predicting Opening Lineup
This year’s rookies might have a chance to crack the senior squad. However, head coach Caleb Porter will stick to what he knows best and will put his best lineup out for opening weekend. The predicted lineup below is solely based on returning players, and those who have had experience. Porter will want to go with players who will get the job done.
Gleeson
Vytas–Powell–Ridgewell(c)–Valentin
Nagbe–Chara
Blanco–Valeri–Zemanski
Adi
2017 Prediction
The new and improved Timbers FC squad will have some chemistry building to work on during preseason. If all goes well, we might see the Green and Gold back in the playoffs – if they manage to stay healthy.
They lost Ridgewell a couple of times and had Adi out for a short time last season. If players can stay healthy, there is a good chance for a high finish at the end of season.
Predicted Finish: 3rd Place.
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