The Timbers need a big time Midfielder Forward that has great passing ability to set up cross pass schemes that throws off the defense. A player that is not selfish and is willing to pass several times to feed two forwards near the box. The Timbers tried to convert a goal on corner kicks which didn't always work even though Smith assisted on a wonderful goal mid season. Boyd is more reliable on a midfielder to set up a pass to enable him to score. I think Cooper is a more diverse Forward that got away.
Defender is our biggest need. Somebody that can control the ball and work it out rather than turtling up.
Starting Goalkeeper is bottom half of the league probably Right Back is awful. Left Back is serviceable but I wouldnt be opposed to an upgrade over Smith Center Back can be pretty good if we just feed Jean-Baptiste some more time (Him and Mosco can be a top level CB tandem) Midfield has some individually talented players but they dont seem to mesh well at all. Chara is a man but he is best served as a Defensive Mid who muddies up the Midfield. Nagbe will hopefully get some consistency in Porter's system. Kalif hasnt progressed much. I'd think next season is his last here if he doesnt grow as a player. Songo'o will hopefully get some consistency now that he has had his year to acclimate. Zizzo is not a full time starter on a good team. Give Alexander some effing minutes. Renken I hope gets a few chances in the 18 next year. Forward is actually pretty solid, but our inability to provide any decent service makes them look bad. People talk about Cooper and his goals this year. Boyd would have hung with Wondoloski in the Goals department with the service Cooper got. Dike I love the dude but if he is a full time starter, your team isnt good at all. Mwanga is very talented, I hope Porter uses him well. Valencia can also be very good, but I assume he will be brought along slowly next year. Fucito can leave. Rincon * See Charles Renken
losing Perkins def hurt. But if Gleeson can pan out and be that much cheaper... AND that money saved gets put into a proper #10... then I will learn to live with it.
