That 2016 year was when Sigi Schmid got fired mid-season, after a disastrous loss in Kansas City where his team clearly quit on him.
After Schmid was fired, they only lost twice in their last 14 games under their new, and still current, coach. I think that's less "taking it easy" and more doing the same thing that the Timbers did this year - greatly underperforming under a long-term coach and hitting rock bottom before a change was made.
At any rate, yes, it is possible for teams to take the entire season seriously, and we are in agreement that the Timbers should definitely do that.
Sounders? They were bottom of the table in 2016 and 17 when they made the cup due to getting hot. 6th overall in 2020. 2019 a respectable 4th.
I think they learned in 2014 teams can't go all in to get both and finally won.
And to be clear, this stinking it up from early on by ptfc for the last 10 years has to stop.
That 2016 year was when Sigi Schmid got fired mid-season, after a disastrous loss in Kansas City where his team clearly quit on him.
After Schmid was fired, they only lost twice in their last 14 games under their new, and still current, coach. I think that's less "taking it easy" and more doing the same thing that the Timbers did this year - greatly underperforming under a long-term coach and hitting rock bottom before a change was made.
At any rate, yes, it is possible for teams to take the entire season seriously, and we are in agreement that the Timbers should definitely do that.