Marcos Flores Linked with the Portland Timbers Again

by Geoff Gibson on May 24, 2011 7:56 AM PDT

Last March there was a report coming out of Australia that Adelaide United player Marcos Flores could be heading to the Portland Timbers before the transfer window closes as the team's Designated Player. This report ended up being false, at least according to its time table. Yesterday a fresh report popped up on Adelaide Now (Adelaide's newspaper) that the Timbers might be interested in him. Here's the exact quote:

The Argentinean could almost double his salary if he walked away from the Reds and into the arms of another club with US club Portland Timbers and Argentina's Godoy Cruz also signalling interest.

By no means and out an out confirmation, but interesting nonetheless that, according to this newspaper, the Timbers have signaled "interest" in Flores. I don't personally believe it, but I don't have any backroom knowledge of the Timbers summer transfer window plans either.

Still, while we're on the subject, let's take a few minutes to discuss why the Timbers would even need Flores right now.

I have no doubt that Flores is a great player. He won the A-Leagues most prestigious award for this past season and from the highlight videos I've seen he's a great center midfielder. But then again the Timbers seem to be doing phenomenally with both Jack Jewsbury, the captain, and Diego Chara heading up that section. Were Flores to be transferred over one of those players would definitely have to come out and I'm not sure John Spencer is willing to do that right now.

The again if the Portland Timbers were looking for a true Designated Player, perhaps Marcos Flores would fit the bill quite nicely. The same report out of Australia said that Flores is being tempted by another A-League club worth almost $200,000 more per season than his current deal with Adelaide United ($350,000). Those numbers in MLS would place him squarely at a true Designated Player price (remember Diego Chara is only a Designated Player due to his transfer fee).

I just crunched the numbers for the Timbers' total roster salary and it comes in almost perfectly under the $375,000 required for a DP which means the Timbers are probably holding out for somebody. Could that somebody be Flores? Again, I doubt it, but crazier things have happened.

[via Adelaide Now]

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That is a lot of money!

He makes 350k currently in Adelaide. Based on the exchange rate, that’s a bit over 380k USD. Cost of living I would say is comparable between Adelaide and PDX. (PDX might be a bit cheaper, but I would call it close) Reports that he could nearly double his salary abroad? That would put us around 700k…Do we honestly have that kind of cash available?

by SMP PDX on May 24, 2011 8:28 AM PDT reply actions

Yep

They have the 375,000 needed in the salary cap for him. And I’m sure Paulson has the money for a marquee DP signing.

I just don’t think the Timbers need him.

RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS

by Geoff Gibson on May 24, 2011 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

We need him!!

I feel like we could really use a player like Flores and honestly I feel like he could be the last piece to our puzzle. Let me explain. Although I absolutely love the Jewsbury/Chara combination in the center, I think it has become fairly obvious over the past few games that there is significant disconnect between the center mids and forwards. I have been to every home game as well as watched all the away games, and even since the beginning all our plays seemed to have developed from the wings, either off a cross or from Alfassan cutting in. This really seemed to work at the beginning of the season but over the last 3-4 games, the production has really slowed down, since teams seem to have figured this out. Just look at the last 3 games, all of our goals came off set pieces and our forwards were not given any real clear cut chances, none having scored over the past 4 games.
So I don’t drag this post on for too long, I think introducing a creative midfielder in the middle of the pitch would really start to open things up for our forwards and give us more attacking options. Although Jack and Chara have been doing a amazing job in the center, it has mostly been defensive/holding contributions rather creating chances, with the exception of captain Jack’s set pieces.
Ideally what I would like to see at this stage, and I believe would make us a better team, is to change up the formation a little. Play our impenetrable 4 in the back, Chara and Jewsbury as center mid/defensive mid, get an attacking midfielder like Flores into the mix, and give Alfassan and Nagbe/Zizzo a more free attacking role. Yea I know this would only allow for one true forward, but I think this line-up would actually prove to give us more attacking potential, yet keep our defensive strength.
Having said that, I am happy either way things go considering we are doing so well and we have such a likable team. PTFC!!

by Benp126 on May 24, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

Do you mean changing up for the formation?

To possibly a 4-5-1 with Cooper up top?

RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS

by Geoff Gibson on May 24, 2011 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I would not call Portland's defense "inpenetrable."

It’s not like the team has a World Cup-caliber back line. It’s good, yes, but it’s not without its flaws*.

*Rodney Wallace

I write for Stumptown Footy, SB Nation's Portland Timbers blog.

by thehemogoblin on May 24, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't disagree with much of your post...

but who goes up top, Cooper or Perlazza? Does the other hit the bench?

If we brought in Flores, it’s clear he would play as a creator in the mid. Could Jewsbury drop back into a defensive spot, perhaps for Wallace or Hall? He’s played on the backline before, right?

by SMP PDX on May 24, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

I would prefer Cooper personally

I think Cooper is overall a better forward than Perleza, although Perleza’s speed would suit the style pretty well.
I think Jewsbury has been playing to well in the center to be dropped into a wide defensive position. I think the whole basis of allowing our wide midfielders more offensive freedon depends on having extra defensive cover in the midfield, in the form of 2 defensive midfielders.
Geoff: I was thinking a little more of a 4-3-3 style with two offensive wingers, but easily changeable to 4-5-1 depending on the state of the game.

by Benp126 on May 24, 2011 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions

You could move Nagbe up as the third striker

Is that what you were thinking?

You could move Alhassan as well, but I think he’s better off in the middle personally

Blazers win!

by The X-man on May 25, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Grain of salt

Of all the youtube clips of potential signings I’ve seen, this guy’s was the most impressive by far.

by bndwgn on May 24, 2011 9:58 AM PDT reply actions

Definitely,

although I don’t know if he could do those kind of things in the MLS, the A-League defense looks suspect to say the least. He definitely looks to have some of the best vision i’ve ever seen though. Those passing lanes he exploits are scary good.

Mike Rice: "Camby nearly rejected that with his Armpit!"

Mike Barrett: "Now that would be a fragrant foul."

by TheNoPoFuzz on May 24, 2011 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions