For the team that missed out on the MLS playoffs in 2011, the Portland Timbers are thinking big in 2012.

Big as in hoisting the MLS Cup championship trophy at the end of the season.

The Timbers say there is no reason they should be excluded from the championship conversation. The addition of quality players - particularly forward Kris Boyd and midfielder Franck Songo'o - to the returning core group has the team believing they can not only snag a playoff berth, but win the league championship.

"I don't see why not. I think anything is possible," Portland coach John Spencer said. "I don't see why - if we can stay healthy - we can't be in the race like everybody else is."

The Timbers will begin their second MLS regular season with a game against former Jefferson High and Oregon State star Danny Mwanga and the Philadelphia Union tonight at Jeld-Wen Field. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN 2.

Few MLS experts agree with the Timbers self-assessment for the 2012 season. Most observers have written off the Timbers for a playoff spot, and ignore their prospects of winning the championship. The Timbers aren't concerned about what others are saying.

"We know it's going to be difficult. But we believe in ourselves," forward Kris Boyd said. "I think you've seen in the friendlies that we've got some quality players that can punish teams. That gives us a chance."

Boyd is one reason for the Timbers' increased optimism. The Timbers are shelling out $1.2 million for the Scottish striker in 2012 and they hope he can regain the form that made him the most prolific goal scorer in Scottish Premier League history.

Boyd may have upped the ante in terms of pressure after he scored a goal in his Timbers' debut against Swedish team AIK in the team's final preseason game March 4. If Boyd is feeling any pressure ahead of Monday's game, he's not letting on.

"It's another game, the butterflies are out of my stomach," Boyd said.

More importantly for Boyd and the Timbers, he was able to log 75 minutes against AIK as he continues to improve his fitness. And Boyd and the Timbers need the time together to develop chemistry.

"The more we can see him and his tendencies on the field, (we can learn) what movements he likes to make," midfielder Jack Jewsbury said. "It's been great to get to play with him these last few days."

The Timbers also have high hopes for Songo'o, the midfielder from Cameroon. Songo' o emerged as the team's best player - he posted a team-leading four assists - during the preseason. However, Songo'o injured his right knee during a scrimmage against Oregon State Feb. 23 and then returned to Spain to acquire his visa the following day. Songo'o was a likely starter as an outside midfielder, but his lack of training since the injury - he returned to training Saturday - will likely keep him out of the starting 11 Monday night.

If the Timbers are going to reach the playoffs - let's drop the championship talk for now - they'll need more consistency in 2012.

They opened the 2011 season with five consecutive home wins but were winless in their first seven road games. They endured a seven-game winless streak in the middle of the season and then strung together five straight games without as loss as they made an ultimately unsuccessful run at the playoffs. The Timbers won just two of 17 road games in 2011 and a few more wins away from home would help the Timbers move closer to a playoff berth in 2012.

Reaching the playoffs is the expectation within the franchise. However, the Timbers say that reaching the playoffs should be just the first step in what they hope will be a long and successful season.

"They may say, 'Let's lower expectations and let's be realistic,' but for me, being realistic is expecting to win a trophy every year," goalkeeper Troy Perkins said. "I know John says the same thing. He wants to hold up the (MLS) Cup at the end of the season and we certainly have the team to do so. If we're not at least in the (championship game), we've let ourselves down again."

--

; follow him on

.