Early in every season, there always happens to be one Portland Timbers player that becomes a magnet for criticism. As a new season revs up and poor performances and results start to pop up, numerous players across the years have been on the receiving end of much consternation from fans — regardless of whether it was warranted or not.
In 2021, that early season lightning rod appears to have been Claudio Bravo. The 24-year-old Argentinian left back brought in on a TAM deal was the subject of much fanfare from the front office and technical staff, and very quickly became the subject of frustration for fans.