Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The 2007 campaign was one of complete turnaround for the Timbers, who went from a tie for last place in the league the year before to finishing second under first-year Head Coach and General Manager Gavin Wilkinson. The former Timbers defender helped build a defensive unit that finished best in the league with only 18 goals allowed on the season.

The club didn’t get off to the hottest of starts at 4-2-3, but ran off seven consecutive wins to put themselves in commanding position in the chase for the playoffs despite a run of 0-2-5 over the next seven. Winning three of the final five helped secure second and playoff showdown with the rival Vancouver Whitecaps.

After falling behind 1-0 in Vancouver, the Timbers surprised the defending champions with a stunning 3-0 victory at home against a defensive unit that had not allowed three goals in any game over the course of the season. The 3-1 aggregate series victory advanced Portland to a semifinal series with the Atlanta Silverbacks. A 1-1 draw in Atlanta was followed by a scoreless stalemate in Portland that forced a scoreless series overtime session and penalty kicks which the Silverbacks won 3-1 to move onto the Final.

The 2008 Season

With USL-1 Goalkeeper of the Year Josh Wicks finding his way to Los Angeles via transfer, the re-signing of the starting back four of Leonard Griffin, Cameron Knowles, Justin Thompson and Scot Thompson were critical for the team’s continuity coming into the new campaign. Replacing Wicks in goal will be Jordan James, who spent last season with Houston in MLS after an All-League performance for the Cincinnati Kings in the USL Second Division. James will compete with MLS loanee Ray Burse from FC Dallas.

Portland also sent Bryan Jordan to the Galaxy, but have brought in former Ivory Coast youth international Arsene Oka from the New England Revolution.

The biggest change for the Timbers is up top. After finishing as one of four teams tied for the fifth highest goal output on the year with midfielder Andrew Gregor handily leading the team in scoring, the club brought in two strikers to join former USL-2 Wilmington Hammerhead standout Chris Bagley, who enters his second season with the club. Returning to Portland, where he played under Clive Charles in college, MLS veteran striker and former US youth international Chris Brown brings nine years of MLS experience to the attack. He will be joined by Japanese star Takayuki Sazuki, who brings 2002 World Cup and 55 internationals caps, including 2006 World Cup qualifying, worth of experience to the club in addition to his success in the J-League.

The First Five

Based on last year’s results, the Timbers will face playoff participants in four of their first games, including two against the rival Seattle Sounders, who won the regular season and league championships. Portland opens at home April 17 against 2007 semifinalist Puerto Rico, who took Seattle to penalties, before facing Minnesota, who finished 11th last year, in their second game at home April 24. Two nights later at PGE Park the Timbers host the Sounders, whom they were unable to beat (0-2-1) last year. On May 8 the Rochester Rhinos (5th) visit Portland with the Timbers leaving town for the first time on the year two nights later to battle Seattle.