On Saturday, the Portland Timbers begin their 2014 MLS campaign against the Philadelphia Union full of confidence and excitement (7:30pm PT, ROOT SPORTS, 750 The Game). Coming off of a breakthrough 2013, general manager Gavin Wilkinson and head coach Caleb Porter made only a few changes to the squad in the offseason with a few key acquisitions as well as adding some young talent and depth in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.
- LISTEN: Talk Timbers on the 2014 season
Below is a round-up of some key soccer experts with their take on the Timbers upcoming 2014 season.
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/05/2014-portland-timbers-preview-no-2-bullet-and-shooting-top-armchair-analyst" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Timbers_Whitecaps_CM016_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px;"></a><br></p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/05/2014-portland-timbers-preview-no-2-bullet-and-shooting-top-armchair-analyst" target="_blank">"This team is built for a Supporters' Shield run, with talent and depth all over the field." - MLSsoccer.com</a> |
<p><a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/4339/mls-2014-preview-timbers-look-to-pick-up-from-last-season?cc=5901" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Timbers_Whitecaps_CM020_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px;"></a><br></p><a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/4339/mls-2014-preview-timbers-look-to-pick-up-from-last-season?cc=5901" target="_blank">"The 2013 campaign surpassed nearly everyone’s expectations. Now it’s time to take the next step." - ESPNFC.com</a> |
<p><a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/preview-portland-timbers-1.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Timbers.vsVancouver030114.CM263.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px;"></a><br></p><a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/preview-portland-timbers-1.html" target="_blank">"Porter has instilled in his team that even with a long season that every game matters." - SoccerbyIves.com</a> |
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/3/6/5456420/mls-season-preview-2014#map" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://portland-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Timbers_Whitecaps_CM026_0.jpg" style="width: 280px; height: 158px;"></a><br></p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/3/6/5456420/mls-season-preview-2014#map" target="_blank">"The Timbers look primed to roll out a side that can keep things locked down on defense while still bringing an attacking flair and fluidity that you rarely see in this league." - SBnation.com</a> |
<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/04/mls-power-rankings-which-team-leads-poll-season-opener" target="_blank">MLSsoccer.com's Power Rankings: #2</a> |
<a href="http://soccer.si.com/2014/03/06/2014-mls-season-preview-power-rankings/" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated's Power Rankings: #3</a> |
Also of note are these insightful interviews from Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, head coach Caleb Porter, midfielder Diego Valeri and forward Gaston Fernandez all done as part of FOX 12 Oregon's Countdown to Kickoff season preview special.
<p class="rtecenter">FOX 12 Oregon's Countdown to Kickoff<br>
Merritt Paulson</p><script type='text/javascript' src='http://KPTV.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=595208;hostDomain=www.kptv.com;playerWidth=300;playerHeight=177;isShowIcon=true;clipId=9898434;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Video%2520Player;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed;galleryType=wncategory'></script> |
<p class="rtecenter">FOX 12 Oregon's Countdown to Kickoff<br>
Caleb Porter</p><script type='text/javascript' src='http://KPTV.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=583217;hostDomain=www.kptv.com;playerWidth=300;playerHeight=177;isShowIcon=true;clipId=9898460;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Video%2520Player;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed;galleryType=wncategory'></script> |
<p class="rtecenter">FOX 12 Oregon's Countdown to Kickoff<br>
Diego Valeri</p><script type='text/javascript' src='http://KPTV.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=700808;hostDomain=www.kptv.com;playerWidth=300;playerHeight=177;isShowIcon=true;clipId=9898450;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Video%2520Player;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed;galleryType=wncategory'></script> |
<p class="rtecenter">FOX 12 Oregon's Countdown to Kickoff<br>
Gaston Fernandez</p><script type='text/javascript' src='http://KPTV.images.worldnow.com/interface/js/WNVideo.js?rnd=473636;hostDomain=www.kptv.com;playerWidth=300;playerHeight=177;isShowIcon=true;clipId=9898456;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=Video%2520Player;advertisingZone=;enableAds=true;landingPage=;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript;controlsType=fixed;galleryType=wncategory'></script> |
-----
