MLS Transfer Window Talk: How Would You Change the Portland Timbers?

So I thought this could be a fun discussion topic as we enter the mid-week lull. I know most of you are pretty anxious about this weekend's game against a resurging Sporting KC side. Truth be told, I've always seen how skilled Kansas City's side can be, at least on paper, so it doesn't surprise me at all that now that their road game stretch is finished they've begun to improve rapidly.

As July approaches the hot topic for many blogs, teams, fans and pundits will be who's coming and who's going. The Portland Timbers are certainly no exception and with last week's performance I'm expecting quite a few changes to be made. Some players will probably get traded away and other will get brought in from abroad and within MLS's current ranks.

So here's where it gets fun. Let's say you were the General Manager/Head Coach of the Portland Timbers (as we all like to pretend to be from time to time). What changes do you make? What players do you bring in? Which players do you trade away and for what? Obviously this is just speculation, but it's always fun to see how others would shape their team of choice given the chance.

Here are some changes I would make:

First, I'd transition from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 and bring Darlington Nagbe from the the mid winger position to being just to the right of Jorge Perlaza. Kenny Cooper would continue to occupy the left. Jorge Perlaza would, obviously, be the point man.

Our current midfield might suffer a bit but as it is now it's not all that great. Captain Jack Jewsbury would play in the center as the true box-to-box midfielder he while Kalif Alhassan and Diego Chara get moved out to the left and right, respectively. I'm not sure how Diego Chara would handle being a winger, but he's small, fast and a fighter like Alhassan so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he could handle it.

Now we turn back towards the backline. Without a doubt I'm looking to bring in players here. The current backline is consistently outplayed and out-maneuvered by more technically skilled opponents.

Unfortunately, despite being somewhat of a hero at this point, I'm going to look to put Mamadou "Futty" Danso back on the bench and, hopefully, trade Kevin Goldthwaite (maybe David Horst) + allocation money to another team for a veteran MLS center back. I'm particularly keen on current Colorado Rapids defender Drew Moor, although he might still be a little young. However, perhaps since the Colorado Rapids are struggling themselves they'd be willing to make a trade.

Then there's the right back position. I'm sorry but Jeremy Hall isn't cutting it for the first team. Those of you who followed the blog during pre-season will remember that this was actually the spot Kerrea Gilbert was supposed to play in. Maybe it's time to give the player another shot at getting his visa because the team could sure as hell use an Arsenal-trained right back defender right now.

Anyway, those are just my suggestions. Obviously, they're just opinions. But opinions are fun and speculating on said opinions is even more fun! So what would you change about the current team? Speculate in the comments below!