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Long live Caleb Porter. For the first time in MLS history, the Portland Timbers enter a season following real success. The 2013 campaign paid off with winning the West, a trip to the conference finals, entrance to the CONCACAF champions league, and awards for both players and coach. The only question remaining is whether or not they can build on that success and go even further. With two big additions to the starting lineup, Portland’s outlook is rosy.
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Paparatto is my key addition to the Timbers this year. If he can come in and play solid defense, both on the ground and in the air, Portland’s chances of success are stellar. As much as I love Futty, he is widely known for making big mistakes at big times (see Robbie Findley’s goal in the conference finals). While the Argentine defender has had his share of mistakes in preseason, I’m willing to let the own goal slip and give him a chance to start fresh against Philadelphia this Saturday. Someone who can consistently defend set pieces is exactly what’s needed. Paparatto looks to be just that piece.
Even with the addition of Paparatto, Portland’s backline still has questionable depth. Peay looked good in preseason and Gallego should know the system and be willing to step in if need be. But with CONCACAF, USOC, and MLS games all coming, any injury leaves Donovan Ricketts with a thin defense in front of him.
Speaking of the big Jamaican between the sticks, Jake Gleeson and Andrew Weber are numbers two and three in 2014. Are they enough if Ricketts himself goes down? Starting Gleeson is a thought that I’m sure sure sends chills down the spines of most PTFC fans; it definitely does so to me. Merritt Paulson, thanks to a deleted tweet, thinks this will be an important year for Gleeson’s development. Hopefully he’s right.
With Rodney Wallace out until April at the earliest, Steve Zakuani, Schillo Tshuma, and Jorge Villafana can all step and contribute. Should the former number one SuperDraft pick Zakuani come back from injury able to work (and play) like he used to, Portland will have immense depth on the wings. Tshuma has looked good in preseason so far with both the reserves and the starters. Porter has a history with Villafana and through preseason he has showed the ability to play left back, left wing, and as a forward too. This is the level of depth that wins trophies. When starters can rest and the fans don’t have to worry, everyone wins.
The biggest story of Portland’s offseason is Gaston “La Gata” Fernandez. The 30 year old Argentine attacker can play on the wing, as an attacking mid, and up top too. While he hasn’t piled on the goals in preseason, he has shown an ability to create and move through defenders like 2013 MLS newcomer of the year Diego Valeri. The most important thing that La Gata brings is versatility. His ability to move between positions and play off the ball opens up new formations and lineups for Caleb Porter, and takes attention away from players like Maxi Urruti and Darlington Nagbe.
I think Nagbe can take a big step forward this year thanks to the arrival of Fernandez. Nagbe did something I love to see against Portmore United, he took a shot from outside the box and put some power into it. While he didn’t score, it was dangerous. Fernandez’s goal threat is going to provide the 23 year old with space to take more shots. If he doesn’t hesitate and keeps the power up he won’t just score himself, he’ll setup others to do so off of rebounds.
So can the Timbers compete for the Supporter’s Shield and the MLS Cup? My answer is no to the shield and yes to the cup. The Supporter’s shield is going to stay in the East this season, but I do expect Portland to win the West. All that stood in the way of the cup last year was Real Salt Lake and they’re still the Timbers’ main competition in the playoffs. RSL only gave up two points to Portland in 2013. If Caleb Porter, Norberto Paparatto, and Gaston Fernandez can best Javier Morales and Nick Rimando, the Timbers Army will be singing with (and drinking from) the MLS cup.
(image courtesy of timbers.com)
