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Portland Timbers: 2020 Preview – A run at MLS Cup glory?

By Matt Coles

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 26: Tomas Conechny #19 of the Portland Timbers celebrates his goal in the second half with teammates against the Montreal Impact during the MLS game at Saputo Stadium on June 26, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Impact defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 26: Tomas Conechny #19 of the Portland Timbers celebrates his goal in the second half with teammates against the Montreal Impact during the MLS game at Saputo Stadium on June 26, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Impact defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Portland Timbers
MONTREAL, QC – JUNE 26: Tomas Conechny #19 of the Portland Timbers celebrates his goal in the second half with teammates against the Montreal Impact during the MLS game at Saputo Stadium on June 26, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Impact defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

With less than a month to go until the start of the 2020 MLS campaign, we are taking a look at how each team has evolved since last year and their chances this term. This time, the Portland Timbers.

In 2019, for the third successive season, the Portland Timbers made it into the postseason. It was their fifth trip to the MLS Cup playoffs since their inception into the league in 2011 but they fell at the first hurdle to Real Salt Lake, a late goal from Jefferson Savarino knocking the 2015 champions out.

Portland enjoyed a great run in the U.S. Open Cup, beating three MLS sides en route to the semi-finals, including a huge win over the Galaxy. They also defeated Seattle and LAFC, becoming just one of two sides to win at Banc of California Stadium in 2019. Their domestic cup run ended in the last four when they lost out to Minnesota United 2-1.

Related Story. Portland Timbers: Best-rated starting XI of 2019. light

Here is how Portland shape up ahead of the 2020 season.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 21: Diego Valeri #8 of Portland Timbers reacts in the first half against the Seattle Sounders during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 21, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 21: Diego Valeri #8 of Portland Timbers reacts in the first half against the Seattle Sounders during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 21, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Best Performers

Three members of last year’s Portland Timbers squad scored an average WhoScored rating of at least 7/10 across the regular-season campaign, with a certain Argentinian leading the way once more. Diego Valeri finished the season with a 7.29/10 average rating thanks to eight goals and 16 assists in another stellar campaign.

Sebastian Blanco came home with a 7.25/10 rating to finish just behind Valeri in the Portland rankings. His six goals and 11 assists in 30 appearances were vital throughout the year and he was rewarded with a multi-year extension making him a Designated Player in the process.

Jorge Moreira was the only defender at the club to secure a rating of at least 7/10 as he spent the season with the side on loan from Argentinian side River Plate.

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