Expectations

As another domestic soccer-less winter departs and MLS arrives, a quick post about perspective. Expectations for the Timbers' oh-my-god-oh-my-god-it's-here first MLS season should be one thing: measured. And with apologies to Protagoras, the measure of all things Timbers in 2011 is Vancouver Whitecaps. Some national voices have implied that for better or worse, the Timbers will be judged by Seattle's successful 2009 debut, and maybe they will be, but I don't think such a marker is accurate. Looking at the early struggles of most first-year teams, from Philadelphia last year to Toronto in '08 and Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA before them, there is no reason to think that the exception in debut seasons should become the rule for Portland. Vancouver is a very talented team with some glaring holes at the top of their attack. In the same way Portland's first 11 can compete with anyone, but our depth will be a concern. Given the abiding structural emphasis on parity in MLS, the fact Portland and Vancouver are similarly situated markets, and the fact that each has prominently signed USMNT stars (Jay DeMerit, Kenny Cooper) while locking up a more anonymous international Designated Player (Erik Hassli, and One Imminent and Anointed Mystery CM) Vancouver and Portland are much fairer foils to one another than any historical analogy, including the 2009 Sounders. I expect the Timbers to beat the Sounders every time the two teams meet, but NW expansion history or no, you'd be crazy to expect the Timbers to make the playoffs. There's going to be some beautiful football, some maddening injuries and the table- besides the team from Western Canuckistan- is mostly for speculation. The only result that matters is Timbers play relative to Vancouver. Measure your expectations accordingly.