When the Portland Timbers started off their preseason, the situation at left back seemed settled. With Zarek Valentin as a placeholder, the Timbers would have Chris Klute back soon once he finished his recovery from offseason meniscus repair surgery; a former defender of the year, Klute would then take up the mantle as the Timbers' new starting left back.
Of course, it hasn't quite worked out that way just yet.
After two weeks of training in Portland, the Timbers headed off to sunny Arizona to take part in the Desert Friendlies, with Klute still spending his time on the sidelines working on his recovery.