—by Chris Rifer

Oh, the preseason. The time when as supporters we’re so starved for real soccer that we’ll read everything into anything. The Timbers beat Galaxy 4-1? PTFC is the team of destiny. Portland draws Montreal 0-0? It might be a long year on Morrison Street. Portland tops Houston 2-0? Everything is coming up roses.

In the end, the results mean nothing at all. Remember last year? The Timbers defense looked impenetrable throughout the preseason. The team went undefeated. Then the first half hour at Colorado happened.

So yeah, the point is, the results these next couple weeks mean painfully little. Still, we have to talk about something, right?

Over the next few weeks before meaningful soccer is played we will talk more about what this season means to the club. Unlike last year, this year comes with expectations. In many ways, 2012 is more important than 2011 for PTFC.

There are also a few players staring in the face of a massively important season personally. Here are a few who have a lot of chips on the table in 2012.

Freddie Braun

Impressed in the reserves in 2011, but never could consistently break into the eighteen. While it seems likely the experiment at right back is over, there is some opportunity as a defensive midfielder. Jack Jewsbury is 30. James Marcelin has done well as a Timber, but certainly hasn’t locked down a position as Captain Jack’s heir apparent.[1] Lance Davids is pedigreed, but has seemingly been quiet in the first week of his trial and would occupy a precious international roster spot.

At 23, however, Freddie’s developmental honeymoon is coming to a close. If he wants to establish himself at the MLS level he will have to make an impression early in 2012. Otherwise, Freddie may be headed out on loan to the second division. Once there, it’s a bit of a hill to climb to get back.

Bright Dike

Much like Freddie, at 25 there is a certain feeling of now-or-never for Bright. The season seems to be setting up well for him, though. After breaking through in 2010, and being thwarted by injury in 2011, there is a feeling that Dike only needs a chance to make a name for himself.

It looks like he is going to get it this year, as both Trencito and Eddie Johnson are likely out for lengthy periods of time with injuries. Dike’s best case scenario – barring further injuries to the strikeforce – is likely becoming a consistent substitute. Interestingly, what happens on the right wing may be the most important factor for Bright. If Darlington Nagbe takes up the starting spot on the right, then Bright would presumably occupy the third striker spot. In that case, he would get an awful lot of 70^th minute appearances.

If somebody else – Sal Zizzo or Franck Sango’o – lay claim to the right midfield, then the going gets tougher as Nagbe would likely move up front and Bright would have to battle Perlaza for the opportunity to become a super-sub. I’m not saying he couldn’t win that battle, but it would certainly be tough.

David Horst

This designation seems a little bit cruel considering he is injured, but he faces a mountain to climb to work his way back into the lineup. With Brunner, Mosquera, and Futty looking like they’re in fine form early on, and with the club putting a lot on the development of Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Horst is going to have to get healthy and get back in form quickly if he wants to preserve his spot in the team and the league.

David was a borderline MLS player before coming to Portland, with Real Salt Lake consistently loaning him out to the second division. In 2011, however, Horst seemed to put himself on surer footing by being a very dependable backup center back, including a near-herculean[2] performance at home against Chivas USA. The injury, coupled with the arrival of Mosquera and Jean-Baptiste, seemingly put Horst back on the ropes. Last year he established himself as a pretty rough and tumble guy, though, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we haven’t seen the last of David Horst.

Timbers Notes

• The injury to Eddie Johnson is tremendously disappointing. In a year filled with disappointment at striker, there were a couple times in 2011 where Eddie looked like he might be the lone pleasant surprise. And just as he was rounding into form, the concussions began. I really hope Eddie can recover and bounce back, but the team is taking this with the appropriate seriousness.
• The once loaded strikeforce is starting to look a little bit threadbare now with Eddie and Trencito sidelined indefinitely. Enter Sebastian Rincon. There have been a lot of rumors flying around about Rincon, but it seems very likely he will make the team. Merritt reported last week that Rincon held a green card, meaning he wouldn’t take up an international roster spot. Behind Boyd, Perlaza, and Dike there should be room for another young striker to develop alongside Brent Richards. Plus, considering his relationship with Trencito, having him in the club will also help keep the Little Train motivated and happy in Portland.
• Speaking of Kris Boyd, where is he? This is probably premature, but considering the timelines reported by the club the last couple weeks, it seems like we should be seeing the Scotsman in green by now. Last time the Timbers signed a highly touted player from the British Isles . . . never mind. It’s probably nothing; these sorts of things can take time and are hard to predict with precision. Still, it’s hard not have flashbacks to Kerr . . . ugh, never mind.[3]
• Oh, and can somebody please tell us how Lance Davids is doing? He’s a pretty well credentialed player and has been with the club for a week, and yet we haven’t heard a peep about him. I imagine that may change with Lovel Palmer[4] seemingly sidelined for a good chunk of the preseason, if not more.
• For what it’s worth (next to nothing), Sunday marked John Spencer’s first win over longtime friend and former boss Dominic Kinnear, after two regular season losses and a preseason draw last year.
• Finally, a big happy birthday to Eric Brunner! May somebody appreciate your considerable soccer talents in your 27^th year on this planet.[5]

And with that, enjoy the next few matches – we’ll catch up again before the AIK tournament.

Onward, Rose City!