re: Your 2017 Major League Soccer Thread: Previews, Highlights, News, Comments

Portland Timbers
Nickname: Timbers
Colors: Ponderosa Green & Moss Green
Kit Sponsor: Alaska Airlines
Ground: Providence Park (21,144), turf

Owner: Merritt Paulson (USA)
Executive: GM Gavin Wilkinson (NZL)
Manager: Caleb Porter (USA)

MLS Cups Won: 1 (2015)
Supporters Shields Won: 0
US Open Cups Won: 0
2016 Record: 12-14-8, 7th place Western, 12th place overall

Farewells: D Nat Borchers (retired), M Jack Jewsbury (retired), M Ned Grabavoy (retired), D Steven Taylor (to Ipswich Town), F Jack McInerney (unsigned), M Lucas Melano (to Belgrano)
Greetings: M Sebastian Blanco (from San Lorenzo), M David Guzman (from Saprissa), F Jeremy Ebobisse (from Duke), M Dairon Asprilla (from Millonarios), D Lawrence Olum (from SKC), Roy Miller (from Saprissa), GK Jeff Attinella (from Real Monarchs)

Outlook: Portland fizzled last year in defense of their MLS Cup and in response additional reinforcements have been made for the attack, defense, and in depth. The front four of Fanendo Adi, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, and Sebastian Blanco should be among the very best in MLS. Adi is a physical wrecking ball at striker. Valeri is one of the best #10 CAMs in the league, striking and distributing with equal skill. Nagbe can outduel most defenders and should create havoc on the left wing, which he prefers to the right. The addition of Blanco on the right allows Nagbe to move left and gives the Timbers another fast, dynamic, and skilled winger. Diego Chara is a #8, good on both ends of the pitch. Experienced Costa Rican international David Guzman was signed as the first true #6 in a while for Portland and will help defend the rear. The Timbers had the worst defense in their conference last year and it was a prime reason for their lack of wins, along with terrible away form (lack of mental strength and focus) and inconsistency on the wings. Concerns still remain for the back line. CB Liam Ridgewell was solid but his partner is an open question. Nat Borchers retired and his heir apparent, young Nigerian international Gbenga Arokoyo, ruptured his Achilles in January. Roy Miller and Lawrence Olum will attempt to fill the role. Miller is a Costa Rican international that has spent the last seven years at New York Red Bulls and Saprissa while Olum has spent the last several years on and off with SKC, among others. One of them needs to put in solid play and claim the position. Outside backs Alfas Powell and Vytas will move forward in attack. Both are internationals for their respective countries, Jamaica and Lithuania, and both are pivotal to Portland’s chances for success. GK Jake Gleeson stepped in for injured Adam Kwarasey and played well. Portland has a lot of depth. D Rennico Clarke, D Marco Farfan, and F Victor Arboleda are all young, talented players that will play. Experienced Chance Myers arrives from SKC and will help out at FB. Zarek Valentin has ability on the back line. Ben Zemanski is an experienced defensive MF. Jack Barmby can assist the top of the midfield. Dairon Asprilla returns from Millonarios to reinforce the wing. Young Jeremy Ebobisse is a very talented rookie striker. Caleb Porter will deploy his 4-2-3-1 and ask his squad to press, control possession, and be multifaceted in attack through the wings as well as central midfield. Guzman and Chara need to shore up the midfield defense and the outside backs need to cover space. Portland should be very good this year.

Real Salt Lake
Nickname: Claret & Cobalt
Colors: Claret Red, Cobalt Blue, & Real Gold
Kit Sponsor: LifeVantage
Ground: Rio Tinto Stadium (21,030), grass

Owner: Dell Loy Hansen (USA)
Executive: GM Craig Waibel (USA)
Manager: Jeff Cassar (USA)

MLS Cups Won: 1 (2009)
Supporters Shields Won: 0
US Open Cups Won: 0
2016 Record: 12-12-10, 6th place Western, 9th place overall

Farewells: F Burrito Martinez (to Velez Sarsfield), M Javier Morales (to FCD), D Jamison Olave (unsigned), F Devon Sandoval (to San Francisco)
Greetings: M Albert Rusnak (from Groningen), F Brooks Lennon (from Liverpool), D David Horst (from HOU), F Chad Barrett (from SJ), M Luis Silva (from Tigres), D Reagan Dunk (from Denver), F Sebastian Saucedo (from Veracruz), GK Matt Van Oekel (from Edmonton)

Outlook: For ten years Javier Morales pulled the strings at RSL, leading the club to much success and amassing 240 appearances. He is now gone and RSL begins somewhat of a new era on the pitch. Enter Albert Rusnak to drive the offense. The 22 year old Slovak has spent the last two years playing a lot of football in the Eredivisie and helping Groningen to the Europa League. He will lead the attack from central midfield. On his left will be Joao Plata, a dynamic winger that can score, create chances, and distribute. 21 year old Jordan Allen will have the opportunity to stake his claim on the right. Yuri Movsisyan is again up top as a pure #9. Brooks Lennon returns for a year from Liverpool, where he has shown a lot of ability. He will see time on the pitch although he will also be heavily involved with the USMNT U20. Chad Barrett is a veteran who offers quality depth. In midfield, returning veteran Luke Mulholland offers stability as a #8. RSL icon Kyle Beckerman still guards the rear although he is finally beginning to show some wear and tear as he approaches 35 years of age. Sunny will also see minutes as a defensive MF in Beckerman’s relief. Luis Silva has flashed glimpses of talent as an attacking MF but has disappeared the last two years at RSL then Tigres. He returns with the hope of showing some of the ability he displayed at DC United. Young Jamaican international Omar Holness will get his looks. Sebastian Saucedo is a creative attacker who is also a part of the USMNT U20 squad. Tony Beltran, still in his 20s, returns at RB for his 10th year at RSL with over 220 appearances. Superdraft pick Reagan Dunk will see minutes as Beltran’s understudy. On the other side of the backline, a pair of erstwhile veterans in Chris Wingert and Demar Phillips will battle for minutes. At CB, Justen Glad, Aaron Maund, Chris Schuler, and David Horst will all have roles. Glad saw a lot of time last year and is promising at the position. He will be drawn away often with the USMNT U20 team as they prepare for the World Cup. Maund has significant experience from the past few years. Schuler has been inconsistent and hampered by injuries. Horst arrives from a difficult season with Houston. While slightly unsettled, enough depth exists at CB position to provide a level of security. Nick Rimando returns as GK and will turn 38 years old this summer. Matt Van Oekel, from Edmonton, and young Lalo Fernandez of Real Monarchs will compete to be Rimando’s backup. Jeff Cassar enters his fourth year managing RSL with a record of ho hum results and there is a thought that this season could be make or break for him. Popular and successful former NY manager Mike Petke was recently hired to lead the club’s USL affiliate Real Monarchs. Draw conclusions as you see fit.