The Portland Timbers Recap of the 2014 Campaign

What a challenge, the Portland Timbers had to endure throughout this past 2014 campaign, as many encounters that saw this squad rising to the occasion.

By tackling many obstacles and playing with rivals that looked in part more superior as well reinforced, Manager Caleb Porter did an all-around feat with his chaps.

Never giving up and tackling challenge after challenge, very well experimenting since day one with different lineups in its initial eleven.

The Timbers Boss never gave up in his desire to contend in this edition of Major League Soccer, that at times this squad almost touched the infamous cellar of its division.

I do mean taking a squad that at times many thought suddenly was on the verge of collapse; its skipper rose to the occasion and lifted its spirits high!

With the arrival of two experienced reinforcements to face a new campaign, top man Gaston Fernandez and Norberto Papparato. 

Those two became a part of this Rose City squad and joining the likes of its countrymen in front man Diego Valeri and Maxi Urruti.

Giving this squad and attack a bit of Argentinian feel, with hopes of what it was the defense of their first place finish atop the Western Division and trying for an encore of their 2013 performance.

That year was the turning point of the Portland Timbers, by seeing an overall recovery and sudden climb into their division spots and introducing themselves as one of the new elite squads of this league.

Something not foreseen by the Timbers, it was the level of competiveness MLS showed throughout this campaign, where many players felt the heat and the pressures from its league foes.

So far many matches this club showed off a nice record of 12 wins, 9 loses and 13 draws that gave this club a nice 49 points overall and falling short of the post season by just one mingy point. 

Still a grand performance this club showed off, by evaluating these campaign ups and downs as well many of its awesome followers’ having some doubts of this squad.

Seeing a not so effective defensive backfield, the Timbers Boss really felt pressured to make up some progress and with a variety of moves, which at times the man at the helm wasn’t getting anywhere.

The Timbers front office started taking matters into their own hands and suddenly netting a couple of of players from two different European leagues along of sending some players in trades.

 As the Timbers struggles in offense and its defensive backfield, which saw the arrival of Nigerian giant forward Faneando Adi on loan from FC Copenhagen and Liam Ridgewell cut from West Brom Albion that gave a boost to its backfield.

Sending a message to many players in this squad, that there is no such thing than a free ride and it was time to start producing or face the music. 

Suddenly the Rose City chaps started implementing a new game and suddenly started fighting to be among the top five squads being the Caps as its Cascadia rival one of its fiercest competitors.

The arrival of Liam Ridgewell along his Premiership experience became vital in the Timbers backfield that all of a sudden turned up to be a wall to opposing strikers.

Suddenly the Timbers backfield changed the image of wimpy to a respected and determined one in its transformed foursome. 

Seeing the likes of Jorge Viilafaña renewed career, alongside Norberto Papparato that finally started producing with longtime starter in Pa Modu Kah and Jamaican sensation Alvas Powell- giving their longtime goalie Donovan Ricketts a reason to relax. 

Very well its midfield with captain Will Johnson's leading the way and its prime-time midfielder Diego Chara playing both offensively and defensively in a very effective way, this club was looking like its previous campaign.

Alongside one of the Timbers one day legend in its prime-time player and leader of its offense in Diego Valeri considered a natural in the midfield and leading his club once again in various sectors. 

Another area that skipper Porter needed his magic was its frontal attack, where Darlington Nagbe alongside Rodney Wallace were always there and really produced in the clutch.

A winner in Gaston Fernandez with his experience and leadership saved many matches for the Timbers seeing his participation being much appreciated and don’t forget Maxi Urruti that he contributed to the cause and delivered as expected.

Overall Manager Caleb Porter was a sort of a Dr. Jekyll and nothing to hide miracle men at the helm of the Rose City squad. 

When the going got tough, he made his boys tougher and really determined not to look back if not focus on the future and look for top notch results.

At the end, this squad of the likes of the Portland Timbers is poised for much higher feats and achievements in years to come, injecting a little of ambition and with the right formulas put again by boss Caleb Porter.

One day maybe not so further away, we will see in Rose City a shield if not several adorning the halls of Providence Park as a tribute to its many die hard follower’s, giving them a sunshine to make them happy. 

If I Root, I Root for the Timbers!

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