Portland Timbers 2 with a current record of 2-18-5 and sitting dead last in the standings is coming to the end of a nightmare season in 2017. Along with their Cascadia rivals, Seattle Sounders FC 2 and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, the Timbers junior squad decided to focus on playing their youth this year and shed many of their experienced players through signings up to MSL with their parent club or not resigning other experienced players.
The 2017 Monarchs benefited from this decision by picking up Nick Besler (who recently signed with RSL), Taylor Peay, and Michael Gallagher from last years Timbers 2 squad.