2018 Season Preview: Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers look to take the step forward from their recent string of success by making another postseason run in 2018.

The Portland Timbers wrapped up the 2017 season atop the Western Conference for the second time since 2013, a nice turnaround after just missing the playoffs in 2016 following their MLS Cup victory a year prior. The recent string of finishes meant the choice of head coach Caleb Porter to step down from his role was a bit surprising, but the club responded by replacing him with a proven winner in Gio Savarese.

Savarese will look to keep Portland’s success going in 2018 and has already added several impressive pieces to the Timbers’ roster that should help him in his debut season at the helm.

2017 Recap

Record: 15-8-11

Finishing Position: 1st in the Western Conference. 6th in the Overall Table.

After using the 2016 offseason to reshape much of the team following a disappointing season, Portland started and finished 2017 in strong form, only slightly dipping during the grind of playing through the summer. However, despite going 7-3-1 between August and October on their way finishing in first place in the West, the Timbers were upset by the Houston Dynamo in their only playoff matchup. Portland failed to score in a goalless draw for the first leg in Houston before giving up two goals to the visitors when they returned home for the second leg.

Head coach Caleb Porter opted to resign from his duties shortly after the Timbers crashed out of the playoffs. Just a few days after the MLS Cup Final, Portland traded standout midfielder, Darlington Nagbe to Atlanta, several days before Savarese would officially be announced at the new head coach.

Transfers Out

Transfers In

Julio Cascante (transfer from Saprissa)
Andy Polo (on loan from Morelia)
Foster Langsdorf (Homegrown)
Eryk Williamson (Homegrown)
Andres Flores (free transfer)
Modou Jadama (free transfer)
Cristhian Paredes (on loan from Club America)
Samuel Armenteros (on loan from Benevento Calcio)

Predicted Starting XI

Projected Starting XI for @TimbersFC head of their 2018 season. #MLS #MLSMultiplex pic.twitter.com/vzBjbmc2gU
— Jordan Jacobsen (@jordyjac33) February 23, 2018

2018 Predictions

Head coach Gio Savarese comes to the Timbers following a very impressive stint with the New York Cosmos in NASL. He joins the Timbers with arguably the deepest

Savarese’s Cosmos were typically fueled by having a strong attacking midfield, which means he likely will rely heavily on 2017 MLS MVP Diego Valeri. Valeri will likely have no problem in Savarese’s system (really it’s a match made in heaven), and the new head coach will have a plethora of impressive midfielders to work with, as Portland has arguably the deepest midfield in the league heading into the new season.

Along with added firepower in the midfield, the Timbers also added to their backline once again. Julio Cascante was acquired with Targeted Allocation Money and will likely start next to the oft-injured Liam Ridgewell, while Roy Miller and Larrys Mabiala provide experienced depth and will also push for starting minutes.

The biggest question mark points up top. Long-time target man Fanendo Adi returns to the club after suffering a knee injury last season, but the club opted to bring in another striker this offseason with Samuel Armenteros. The experienced forward was signed using TAM comes to the Timbers on loan after making a handful of appearances in the Italian Serie A.

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Health will be the Timber’s toughest opponent heading into the new year after injuries finally caught up with the club last season. The added depth will help in preventing the issue again, but if Portland can stay healthy in 2018, they looked primed to make multiple runs in multiple cup competitions without missing a beat.

Predicted Finish: 1st in the Western Conference.