The Portland Timbers 2 fell agonizingly short of a first berth in the USL Cup Playoffs, becoming the first side to lose out on a postseason berth on goal difference in league history, but the manner of the side’s performances down the stretch has provided major impetus not only for the team, but for some of its key players this offseason.

Led by USL All-League Second Team selection Villyan Bijev, T2 went on a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season as the former Liverpool signing ended his first season in Portland with a flourish. Add in strong progressions by the likes of goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh and a good return to form from injury for Rennico Clarke, and there could be much to look forward to next season.

2016 USL SEASON IN REVIEW

Record: 12-14-4, 40pts
Place: Ninth in the Western Conference
Goals For: 38
Goals Against: 42
USL Cup Playoffs: N/A

2016 leaders: Villyan Bijev (8 goals, 10 assists), Kendall McIntosh (65 saves)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Portland had its ups and downs over the first half of the season, but the turning point arrived in early August when side broke an eight-game winless streak with a 4-3 victory against the LA Galaxy II after overcoming a three-goal halftime deficit. From there, the likes of Bijev, Neco Brett and others took off, as the side was held scoreless just once the rest of the way.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The first two-thirds of the season, which saw the side accrue a record of 5-11-4, proved just too much of a hole to climb out of in the end. With a number of new faces coming into their first professional seasons, T2 was unable to put together a serious run of form to stay in touch with the playoff sides, and two-goal or greater losses to the likes of Vancouver, Sacramento and LA proved to be crucial in the end.

GOALS OF THE SEASON

Villyan Bijev led the league with 10 assists, but also led T2 with eight goals, which included this outstanding solo effort against Arizona United SC in the final game of the regular season.

Bijev’s precision in finishing made him a threat to score from distance as well, as illustrated by this long-range drive against Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC 2.

SAVES OF THE SEASON

Wade Hamilton saw regular minutes for T2 this season, and pulled off one of their best highlights of the year with an excellent double-save against Rio Grande Valley FC.

Kendall McIntosh put in strong work as T2 surged in the final third of the season, including this 10-save performance that earned a 1-1 draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

HE SAID IT

“We needed to be patient with that group. There were some times throughout the year when we had some really good halves [of soccer]...So we just needed to be patient with [the players] and it just kind of all came together towards the end of the year there and we went on a run.” – Portland Timbers 2 Head Coach Andrew Gregor