The Portland Timbers had a busy offseason as they recharged ahead of the 2017 MLS regular-season. Two key additions included the signing of Designated Player Sebastián Blanco from Argentina's San Lorenzo as well as Costa Rican midfielder David Guzmán from Saprissa. The club was also active on draft day, trading up to select forward Jeremy Ebobisse with the third overall pick–a player many had tagged as possibly the strongest player available in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
The moves caught the eye of MLSsoccer.com's Sam Stejskal who believes the team has "the best front six in the league" as you factor in the additional strengths of midfielders Diego Valeri, Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe and Fanendo Adi.