With the Portland Timbers starting their second season in MLS, I wanted to take a look at the components making up the 2012 edition of the Portland Timbers team including the front office. While I expect there will be roster movement this summer when the international transfer window opens, I anticipate the core of this team to remain intact for most of the year. While I've already broken down the schedule, I'll break down the preview into eight distinct areas:

Section 1: Park and Intangibles

Section 2: Eastern Conference Rivals

Section 3: Western Conference Rivals

Section 4: Coaching, Front Office & Broadcast Team

Section 5: Goalkeepers

Section 6: Defenders

Section 7: Midfielders

Section 8: Forwards

Section 1: Park And Intangibles

JELD-WEN Field has become one of the preeminent soccer grounds in North America, and this year promises even more to build upon. Most MLS cities would give anything to have what Portland possesses with our grounds: easy transit access, downtown location, seats just off the pitch, and a rabid fan base. It was already able to trap noise fairly well being dug into the ground, and now the team has pulled up some of the tarps covering higher level seats thus expanding the seating capacity to just over 20,000 fans. Just imagine the noise and spectacle with 2,000 more fans joining the fray. The team also sold out of most home matches with only obstructed view seats available, so they’ve managed to capitalize on a great demand in the area.

The Timbers are also investing in the soccer infrastructure in the greater Portland metropolitan area, giving fans the chance to interact more with the club. Their new practice facility just off Highway 217 in Beaverton is near completion, and will give the team a permanent structure in which to practice. In previous seasons, the club mostly trained at the stadium but would move to other locations when the stadium was not available. Now, they will have a dedicated area that includes both natural grass and turf fields, giving them the chance to practice on the varying surfaces MLS clubs use. The training facility will also have medical and rehabilitation areas to help players deal with injuries, while the Providence Health Sports Center at the stadium will bring more health care professionals close to assist the Timbers anytime.

The Timbers are also busy building their youth academy, which has already started to pay dividends. Under the watchful eye of the team, the Oregon Soccer Association, and selected youth coaches, the Timbers have created premier youth teams at various age levels that will play other highly competitive clubs in various tournaments. Nothing prepares talented youngsters more than having dedicated coaches, top flight facilities and matches against superior talent, and the Timbers hope this approach will pay dividends by producing viable soccer talent. The pinnacle of their academy system will remain the Timbers U-23 PDL team, the 2010 PDL champions, whereby collegiate and amateur players can train under the watchful eyes of the Timbers. The Timbers Pre-Academy ODP ’95 Boys played a tournament in Arizona in mid-January, and there are more tournaments and players taking part in the academy this spring.

As we’ve talked about before, the academy approach gives clubs the best tools to build talent for their future. The Timbers have already signed four men from their U-23 team onto first team contracts: goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, midfielder Freddie Braun, defender Ryan Kawulok and forward Brent Richards. Considering that MLS clubs have a cap of 30 available spots, 4 of them being filled by players developed into your system in just a few years is a really good number. I would expect that to continue as the Timbers continue to develop and hone their academy system.

Being a solid franchise off the playing field is important as well, and the Timbers have responded to community needs time and time again through their various community endeavors. With their foundation providing grants and support for local clubs, the Timbers are doing what they can to promote the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. They are also reaching out to promote the game to interested groups with school assemblies, soccer camps and other appearances. The Timbers have also reached out to their alumni and will continue to have alumni ambassadors make appearances for the club. Not only is it great to interact with the Timbers heroes of today, but I also get a kick out of hearing stories of past eras.

Now that they have their first year under their belts, I expect great things from them. It all starts with having a great stadium and a solid game plan. Over the next few days, we’ll preview the Timbers rivals in the MLS, and break down the 2012 roster by position in preparation for the March 12 home opener against Philadelphia.