In just a few short weeks time, the Portland Timbers will be embarking upon yet another great MLS adventure. Seeking to put the heartbreak of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016 behind them, Giovanni Savarese and his team will be eager to construct a successful 2023 season – one that includes a return (and potentially a deep run) in the playoffs.
Doing so is of course no simple task. MLS regular seasons are eight-month-long, 34 game gauntlets, where the teams that rise to the top are usually the ones that stay the healthiest and most resilient.