Building up a contender is not an easy task for any team and especially for the Portland Timbers. With a team known to have a not-so-exorbitant budget to acquire big-name players, in the end, this team really steps it up every season.
For example, last season when the team didn’t have any identity and with important players out with injuries, the pieces of the puzzle started coming together and in the end, the team made it into MLS Cup.
However, this season we are looking at a team-building up and looking forward to making a contender out of its young players looking at any cost to make the big jump into the big team. As several prospects, academy players, and draftees are looking forward to making an impression on Giovanni Savarese and his assistants.
Betting on youth is one amazing investment and last season it proved right for the Timbers when they brought U-22 Colombian Santiago Moreno and the man really took the opportunity and made a big impression. Now with another prospect looking promising and looking forward to making the grade, and with David Ayala, this is the player to follow in this 2022 season.
Somehow, the return of defenders Josecarlos Van Rankin on another loan and possibly a purchase lifts the Timbers’ questions of addressing this area of the backfield. The impressive development of the 2022 draftee Justin Rasmussen with the big team raises many expectations for this club’s future based on its youth.
Another figure that needs to be paid close attention to is another prospect in Abraham Bahachille. The Venezuelan fullback and defensive midfielder can bring a lot of depth to the Timbers’ bench. Not mentioning Zac McGraw and Blake Bodily that 2022 is their year to make an impact in the starting lineup.
Although Steve Clark’s departure left a hole underneath the arches, the Timbers are betting on experience from David Bingham that can play a role in developing the likes of Hunter Sulte and Justin Vom Stegg. Still, the number 2 position can be given with no doubt and play a more contested role in challenging Bingham as Aljaz Ivacic can become the starter in a near future.
Defensively, the Portland squad is complete with its starters in Zuparic and Mabiala as center backs, Van Rankin and Bravo on the outside, but with stern competition from Mc Graw, Rasmussen, Bonilla, Tuiloma, and possibly Bahachille.
Still, with several potential academy players and draftees, the need for manager Giovanni Savarese to step up his work with these potential players in the future will be elemental for their development. The number of minutes given to some of them for sure will develop their skills and most of all their overall confidence.
Remember, defense wins games and for Portland, the need to win on the road is imperative to make up a good season and deliver much-needed wins as an away team to build up high levels of confidence.
So far, the Timbers defensive backfield looks complete and ready, and looking forward to many memorable afternoons that can turn many games into wins. The starting lineup for sure will look in the backfield with David Bingham, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Larry’s Mabiala, and Claudio Bravo.
End of Part I
Portland Timbers
