It’s credit to Claudio Bravo that, in a summer of significant absences for the Portland Timbers, his loss feels as significant as most. The team’s starting left back has been with the team for less than a year, but given the level he was playing at when he departed to prepare for the Olympics just over a week ago, his absence may prove as impactful as Yimmi Chara’s and Felipe Mora’s were for Copa América, or Eryk Williamson’s will be for the Gold Cup.
When the 24-year-old left back was acquired from Argentina’s Banfield this offseason, he was touted by Timbers’ President of Soccer Gavin Wilkinson as, potentially, one of the best left backs in Major League Soccer.