The Portland Timbers made the MLS Cup final. They may have fallen at the final hurdle, losing 2-0 to Atlanta United in that final, but this was still a very successful season.
The team went through several iterations of itself as Gio Savarese tinkered with his line-up and approach, keen to find the one the best served him and his players.
In the end, there was one unanimous philosophy that fitted the style of play of the Timbers down to the ground: the counter-attack.
Portland were arguably the best counter-attacking team in MLS, built on a workmanlike midfield that should shield the defence without much possession and a deadly attacking trio that could rip apart any defence when given time and space on the ball.