Portland Timbers had an awesome title run in 2015. Last season wasn't so wonderful. What's the biggest thing you're looking for in 2017 so it doesn't mirror 2016?
Looking back at 2016, one thing stands out: the Timbers gave up 53 goals on the season, more than any other team in the Western Conference.
There were plenty of factors that played into the Timbers' struggles on defense — injuries across the back line and in the midfield, a failure to adequately replace left back Jorge Villafana and left winger Rodney Wallace, and the team's puzzling mental block on the road all come to mind — and how well the team has addressed them remains to be seen.