Portland Timbers here we go! The chanting of returning fans will come to the colossus of Goose Hollow Providence Park. However, with a limited number, still seeing some faces in the stands and gradually increasing will be the highlight of this season.
The team needs to address some issues in its defensive backfield, the need to make some moves in the offseason, the departure of some noteworthy players like Marco Farfan that if he would stay maybe he makes the break he was seeking but instead he moved down south to Tinsel Town LAFC.
Following him out the door were Jorge Villafaña, to cross-city rivals LA Galaxy, and center back Julio Cascante going to expansion side Austin FC. Still the man that knows his trade Gavin Wilkinson made his magic work once again.
With its current base of players in the team defensive backfield, with center backs, Larrys Mabiala, Dario Zuparic, Bill Tuiloma, and Zac McGraw– the latter ones in need of making their mark in this season.
As Pablo Bonilla has done his best to get into the starting eleven numerous times, he will have company in newcomers Claudio Bravo from Argentinian side Banfield and Marcoantonio Van Rankin from Mexican side Chivas.
Photo Credit Portland Timbers FC.
The need of these new players is to prove their mettle and pedigree these come heavily referenced from their respective leagues.
Also needed is a strong bench with experienced players in a couple more defensive backs and one center back, players of experience available in the free-agent market will be a Portland Timbers front office may need to make.
As news broke out of negotiations breaking between a club from Brazil and the Timbers for a center back, the need of incorporating three more players of experience is imperative for this club in case some players go into injured reserve.
In the end, the team had some trialists on observation and with a possibility of going into this option and maybe see the next generation of Timber players make their big jump into the big team.
The Timbers need to reinforce the defense despite getting a couple of top-class players, but if you recall these can get a call by their respective national teams as in the case of Claudio Bravo with the Argentinian Olympic National team.
Good job for the Portland Timbers addressing their defensive needs, but still they are lacking players that can give their bench more depth, time will tell and maybe their GM Gavin Wilkinson can have an ace under his sleeve.
Photo Credit and Property of C.D. Guadalajara
