Sounders v2.0?

This might be a crazy thought, but as I read more and more about the Portland Timbers roster, I start to feel the same thing as I did in 2009 with the Sounders. No, I'm not talking all out support and excitement for the team (in fact I despise this timbers team and they have yet to play a game), but rather my feelings towards the roster. At first their roster moves didn't strike me anything strange, but with every growing rumor and transaction, I feel like they are becoming Sounders v2.0.

Let's see where the similarities lie by first taking a look at how the team was constructed prior to their inaugural season. They began by signing several former USL Sounders - 2008 USL MVP Sebastian LeToux, Roger Levesque, Zach Scott, Chris Eylander and Sanna Nyassi - as well as the USL MVP Osvaldo Alonso from Charleston. Then they brought Kasey Keller back from overseas and selected a forward from the University of Akron named Steve Zakuani with the 1st overall pick in the college draft. Next came the expansion draft where they stocked up with some talent - Nate Jaqua, Nathan Sturgis, Peter Vagenas, Tyson Wahl, James Riley, Brad Evans followed by the signing of a relatively unknown hot shot forward from Columbia named Fredy Montero and his teammate Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. Then they made their biggest splash, bringing in Freddie Ljungberg as a DP. Finally, seeing that their defense was thin, they traded for Patrick Ianni and Tyrone Marshall. The foundation for their successful year was complete.

Fast forward to 2011 and the construction of the timbers roster is becoming eerily similar. They began by signing 4 players from the USL team (including 2010 USL MVP Ryan Pore) plus a star forward from Austin named Eddie Johnson. Portland then brought in a veteran keeper of their own in Troy Perkins. In the expansion draft they stocked their team with undervalued players such as Adam Moffat (a Crew midfielder like Brad Evans), Eric Brunner (a outside defender like James Riley), Anthony Wallace and Peter Lowry. Just like Seattle with Jeff Parke, they then selected two players who were out of contract and headed out of MLS (John Bornstein and Robbie Findley) just in case. In the college draft they selected a forward out of the University of Akron (sound familiar?) named Darlington Nagbe. Most recently they made their big name signing - former National team star Kenny Cooper and are now being rumored to have signed a Colombian forward by the name of Jorge Perlaza.

So let's review he similarities:

• Several USL players making the jump, including a former league MVP
• A USL Best XI player from another team
• A rookie forward out of the University of Akron
• A veteran goalkeeper
• Undervalued talent including a Midfielder from Columbus in the expansion draft
• A Colombian forward
• A tall striker coming back to MLS after a failed stint overseas
• Rights to star players no longer in MLS just in case
  

The only differences lie in that they don't have a big name midfielder (although they are rumored to be signing one from Europe) and they haven't done much to steady their defense. As I look at this team on paper, I see a lot of goals being scored - by both Portland and their opponents. As what might not be a surprise, that was also the experts view of the Sounders before their first year.

Seeing the success that Seattle had, Portland is wise to follow their formula. Hopefully for all us, history won't repeat itself in 2011.