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Meet the 2016 Timbers: Projected starting 11

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Jamie Goldberg/Staff

The starters

Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter has made it fairly clear who he expects to start in Portland's home opener against the Columbus Crew on March 6. In the following slides, we'll introduce you to the Timbers' projected starting lineup.

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Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff

Adam Kwarasey

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6' 3"

Age: 28

Weight: 168

Key Fact: Kwarasey recorded a league-leading 13 clean sheets in 2015. Kwarasey also converted the final penalty kick to lead the Timbers past Sporting Kansas City in the knockout round of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.

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Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff

Alvas Powell

Position: Right back

Height: 6' 0"

Age: 21

Weight: 165

Key Fact: Powell made a career-high 31 starts in 2015 and was a mainstay on a Timbers' back line that led the league with 13 clean sheets.

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Nat Borchers

Position: Center back

Height: 6' 2"

Age: 34

Weight: 175

Key Fact: Borchers was a leader on Portland's back line and part of arguably the best center back pairing in MLS in 2015. In the playoffs, Borchers made a key block late in the second leg of the Western Conference Championship series to preserve Portland's series lead.

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Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff

Liam Ridgewell

Position: Center back/left back

Height: 6' 2"

Age: 31

Weight: 170

Key Fact: Ridgewell started 32 games and wore the captain's armband in the majority of his outings in 2015. Ridgewell's steady, veteran presence was a big reason why the Timbers had one of the best defenses in MLS last year.

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Jermaine Taylor

Position: Center back/Outside back

Height: 5' 10"

Age: 31

Weight: 195

Key Fact: Taylor spent five seasons in MLS as a steady mainstay on the Houston Dynamo's back line before moving to the Timbers this season. The Jamaican international should feature in the starting 11 early in the year, at least while the Timbers deal with injuries.

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Troy Wayrynen/AP Photo

Diego Chara

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 8"

Age: 29

Weight: 150

Key Fact: Chara has been a key piece of Portland's midfield since 2011 and took on an especially critical role last season after the Timbers switched to a formation where they use one defensive midfielder.

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Jay LaPrete/AP Photo

Darlington Nagbe

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 9"

Age: 25

Weight: 165

Key Fact: Nagbe had a breakthrough late in 2015 after the Timbers made a tweak to their formation. He recorded two goals and one assist in the final two regular season games of the year.

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Paul Vernon/AP Photo

Diego Valeri

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 10"

Age: 29

Weight: 165

Key Fact: Valeri recorded a goal and four assists in five postseason appearances in 2015 as the Timbers won the MLS Cup. This is the first year since 2013 that Valeri has entered preseason healthy.

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Lucas Melano

Position: Forward/winger

Height: 6' 1"

Age: 22

Weight: 160

Key Fact: Melano joined the Timbers in the summer of 2015 and came alive late in the year, scoring a critical goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs and recording the game-winning assist in the MLS Cup final.

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Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff

Dairon Asprilla

Position: Winger

Height: 5' 11"

Age: 23

Weight: 165

Key Fact: After struggling to earn a starting spot for much of 2015, Asprilla came alive late in the year, recording the game-tying assist in extra time during the knockout round and scoring a wondergoal against FC Dallas later in the playoffs.

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Paul Vernon/AP Photo

Fanendo Adi

Position: Forward

Height: 6' 4"

Age: 25

Weight: 185

Key Fact: Adi had a breakout year in 2015, setting a Timbers MLS-club record with 16 regular season goals. Adi also scored twice in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.

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The other key contributors

While only 11 players will be part of the Timbers' opening day lineup, there are a handful of other players on Portland's roster that should also play critical roles this season. In the next five slides, we will take a look at five players that should be significant pieces for Portland this year.

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Chris Klute

Position: Defender

Height: 6' 1"

Age: 25

Weight: 170

Key Fact: The Timbers brought in Klute to challenge for the starting left back spot, but he has been dealing with a meniscus injury and hasn't yet been able to participate in training. When he is healthy, Klute will compete for a spot on the field.

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Jack McInerney

Position: Forward

Height: 5' 10"

Age: 23

Weight: 150

Key Fact: The Timbers brought McInerney in to replace outgoing forward Maximiliano Urruti and play a key role off the bench this season. McInerney scored 12 goals with the Philadelphia Union in 2013.

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Greg Wahl-Stephens/AP Photo

Ned Grabavoy

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 7"

Age: 32

Weight: 160

Key Fact: Grabavoy has played 13 seasons in MLS and has spent the majority of his time in the league as a starter. He's expected to provide critical depth in Portland's midfield this season.

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Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff

Jack Jewsbury

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6' 0"

Age: 34

Weight: 185

Key Fact: Jewsbury is a 13-year MLS veteran and has been a versatile piece of Portland's roster since 2011. He scored three goals in 2015, including two game-winning goals.

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Ben Zemanski

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5' 11"

Age: 27

Weight: 150

Key Fact: Zemanski missed the entire 2015 season while dealing with a torn ACL, but is back this season. Zemanski started seven games in 2014 and should provide critical depth at defensive midfield this year.

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Other players to watch out for

Over the last month, Timbers coach Caleb Porter has been able to give a handful of other players significant runs in preseason games as he has evaluated his depth heading into the season. In the next four slides, we will take a look at players that are worth keeping your eye on this season.

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Zarek Valentin

Position: Defender

Height: 6' 0"

Age: 24

Weight: 170

Key Fact: Valentin most recently played for Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. He previously played under Caleb Porter at the University of Akron before being drafted by Chivas USA in 2011.

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Taylor Peay

Position: Defender

Height: 6' 2"

Age: 24

Weight: 180

Key Fact: After being drafted by the Timbers in 2014, Peay managed to make three starts in 2015 and showed well on the field. He could play a bigger role as a depth piece this season.

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Courtesy of MLS

Andy Thoma

Position: Defender

Height: 5' 11"

Age: 22

Weight: 165

Key Fact: Thoma featured with T2 last season after being drafted by the Timbers in 2015. He will get the opportunity to challenge for minutes with the first team this year and will likely play a role in U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League games.

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Jake Gleeson

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6' 3"

Age: 25

Weight: 200

Key Fact: Gleeson has been with the Timbers since 2011 and will finally get the chance to be the No. 2 keeper this season. In his lone appearance in 2015, Gleeson helped preserve a clean sheet in the Western Conference semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps.