This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Once the Portland Timbers hoisted that MLS Cup trophy last December, the rest of Major League Soccer was officially put on notice. For the present, and for years to come.
The Timbers, having finally sprinted past the finish line the franchise envisioned when it joined MLS in 2011, showcased its deep, diverse roster of talent built to contend for the long haul in the stacked Western Conference.
Portland's run to the MLS crown ended in a 2-1 win against the Columbus Crew on the road. Of the 11 starters in the MLS Cup final, nine were under the age of 30. Only former Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers (34) and fellow center back captain Liam Ridgewell (31) eclipsed that age mark.
Borchers said the way general manager Gavin Wilkinson and coach Caleb Porter have constructed this Timbers roster reminds him of the initial build at RSL in 2007 and 2008. Portland, like RSL did nearly a decade ago, found its cornerstone pieces in gems like the midfielders Darlington Nagbe, Diego Valeri and Diego Chara. The Timbers' braintrust followed that up by finding threats like imposing Nigerian striker Fanendo Adi and speedy Argentine forward Lucas Melano.
"Those guys are all young guys and they've got a ton of great years left in their careers, so after that, it's all about getting those role players that just fit in and help those guys win," Borchers said.
Portland's front office found the right pieces in recent years. But due to its championship year in 2015, the success forced the Timbers to part ways with crucial players like left back Jorge Villafaña, sold to Mexico's Santos Laguna for nearly a $1 million transfer fee, SI.com reported. Also out are former RSL midfielder Will Johnson (Toronto FC), striker Maxi Urruti (FC Dallas) and winger Rodney Wallace, who moved to play abroad in Portugal.
"Gavin's done a great job on the budget, understanding the numbers and making guys fit," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said. "[The Timbers] had a couple casualties this year, because any time you win the championship in our league, that means you literally can't afford your roster, no matter what."
Faced with change, the Timbers rightly prioritized.
Portland locked up Nagbe (25), Chara (29) and Adi (25) to recent long-term extensions. Just last week, the Timbers also announced a new long-term contract for Wilkinson, the architect of the reigning MLS Cup champions, two months after owner Merritt Paulson gave Porter a lengthy contract extension of his own. The Timbers addressed positional needs in the offseason by signing former RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy and trading for outside back Chris Klute and forward Jack McInerney.
Just this week, the Timbers acquired Vancouver forward Darren Mattocks and Leicester City midfielder Jack Barmby on loan.
"I think you'd be crazy not to be impressed," RSL defender Chris Wingert said of the job Wilkinson and Porter have done.
Borchers credited Wilkinson and Porter for acquiring talent to complement the roster's young core, but the acquisitions have been ideal personalities to fit into the Timbers locker room to expedite the process to help defend an MLS Cup trophy.
"If it's a newer team, the dynamic is not quite there, not quite right, but when you have an established team that has won, it makes it a lot easier for those guys to get into the mix and transition," Borchers said.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Real Salt Lake at Portland Timbers
P At Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
Kickoff • 8:30 p.m.
TV • KMYU
Radio • 105.1 FM
Records • RSL (1-0-1), Portland (1-1-0)
Last meeting • Portland 1, RSL 0 (Oct. 15, 2015 at RSL)
About RSL • Defender Jamison Olave (quadricep) is probable for Saturday's match after spending most of this week rehabbing his leg strain in training. … Midfielder Javier Morales (ribs and quad) is probable, returning to training fully Wednesday. … Midfielder Danilo Acosta is with the U.S. U-20s for the Dallas Cup tournament. … Olmes Garcia (ankle) is questionable after suffering a first-degree sprain Tuesday in training. … Goalkeeper Nick Rimando has a 385-minute shutout streak in Portland dating to March 2012.
About Portland • Captain Liam Ridgewell (hamstring) is expected to miss 4-to-8 weeks according to reports from The Oregonian. … Also out are left backs Chris Klute (knee) and Andy Thoma (knee). … The Timbers acquired English midfielder Jack Barmy on loan from Leicester City this week and traded for Vancouver winger Darren Mattocks. … The defending MLS Cup champs are coming off a 2-1 loss at San Jose Sunday. … Portland led MLS in 2015 with 13 shutouts. … The Timbers have held RSL scoreless in four-consecutive matches, a streak that has lasted 427 minutes. … The Timbers haven't beat RSL at home since April 4, 2011.