Portland Timbers Roster Outlook
by Ryan Gates on Feb 13, 2012 1:13 PM PST
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PrintFinally under a month to go until the Timbers kick off the 2012 season! Currently Portland has 8 players who are not signed to contracts that are fighting for 4 spots. The break down of the 26 (27 with Valencia) spots is as follows:
Keepers: 2 - Troy Perkins and Jake Gleeson
Defenders: 10 - Eric Brunner, Futty Danso, Lovel Palmer, Mike Chabala, David Horst, Rodney Wallace, Steve Purdy, Chris Taylor, Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Hanyer Mosquera.
Midfielders: 9 - Eric Alexander, Kalif Alhassan, Freddie Braun, Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, James Marcelin, Darlington Nagbe, Charles Renken, and Sal Zizzo.
Fowards: 5 (6) -Brent Richards, Jorge Perlaza, Eddie Johnson, Bright Dike, Jose Adolfo Valencia, and Kris Boyd.
More on the 8 after the jump.
The 8
I divided the 8 into 3 categories: Locks, Definitely Maybe, and Longshots.
Locks:
Joe Bendik: The only lock out of the 8. Gleeson may miss 2 months at the least due to Olympic qualifying and the Olympics and unless Portland wants to use MLS' stash of goalies.
Definitely Maybe:
Franck Songo'o: It is pretty worrisome that Portland has not yet signed him even though they stated they are in contract negotiations. Which is the only reason he is in this category but he could be as big of a lock as you can get but the biggest issue is the fact that he won't come cheap.
Ryan Kawulok: Should he could play a little bit of Right Back and can play at CB. With deep bench players versatility is always a plus.
Lance Davids: Another player who can play on the wings but brings a little bit more experience to the Timbers compared to the other wing players. If Songo'o doesn't get signed I think he would be the a good replacement.
Longshots:
Brendan King: A young player, which could work in his favor, but plays a position where there are a lot of players a head of him. A lot of praise has been sent his way from some of the veterans but nothing from the coaching staff.
Miguel Ibarra: Another young player who plays in the midfield and at some point Portland has to get an older player to play there :)
Sebastian Rincon: Portland is taking a look at him for a possible future buy but not this year.
Jose Balcazar: A huge unknown as there is not a lot out there on the interwebs about him nor from the practice reports.
Anyone you would think Portland has to sign?
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Locks
I agree Bendik is a lock.
Songo’o is a lock.
The way I look at it is King, Ibarra and Davids are fighting over one spot. I would put Balcazar in this category as well, but little is known about him.
Rincon will get signed, especially if EJ retires.
Kawulok will get signed if he can play some RB
This
Rincon is probably more likely, given MP’s tweets, his friendship with Valencia, and our needs for forwards than King, Ibarra, and Davids, who I think are all fighting for the last spot.
Kawulok playing well as a RB I think earns him a spot, we frankly need more depth there, and that allows Braun to move back into the midfield during reserve games (if Purdy isn’t playing, or he can play in the middle with Horst/Futty/Mosquera)
Sogno'o and Davids are most intriguing
but with our international slots running thin is there even a chance that both are signed?
I belive we have 2 left
with Valencia not being accounted for this season. And Danso, Chara and Perlaza are in the process or have already gotten their green cards.
Is Davids Plan B?
I wonder if the FO did not foresee problems reaching agreement with Songo’o. I’m not going to reconstruct the timeline, but it seems like Davids trial was announced after Songo’o was here. I don’t see them signing both, and I haven’t heard anything about negotiations with Davids, so my guess is he is Plan B.
In addition to Bendik and either Songo’o or Davids, I put my money on Kawulok and maybe Ibarra. No expectations of a starting job, just a year to develop on the next level and see how they do. From write-ups, the two seem to be doing the best among the newcomers. Sort of like Chris Taylor and Spencer Thompson last year.
One big question
I’m hoping someone can answer …
What happens to the players that aren’t signed, young guys with promise like Ibarra and King? Can they join the U23s? Is there any way for the Timbers to keep them around or at least hold onto their rights without having them on the roster?
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
I think I know
According to MLS’s website.
Unless claimed on waivers, a player who was drafted by a particular team through the SuperDraft or supplemental draft and did not sign with the League, is placed on that team’s "College Protected List" until the second December 31 following the draft in question, after which the team loses the rights to the player.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Ah yes, that sounds familiar
So could the Timbers sign a guy like Ibarra, and then loan him to a 2nd division team or the U23s? Kinda like what we did with Pore last year?
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Feb 13, 2012 2:45 PM PST up reply actions
Not really
They are not on the roster so we cannot negotiate loans for them. However we do still hold their MLS rights so no other team can sign them, I am not sure if we could trade their rights like you can in the NBA.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
You can trade a players rights even if they are not signed to the team regardless of whether they have just been drafted or left the team in another way like Bornstein and Finley.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Feb 13, 2012 3:19 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yes
Is that true for College protected list? That is what I am unsure about.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
It is indeed.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Feb 13, 2012 3:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
But does the College protected list still work for players that come to camp but are not signed and don’t make the team? (Sorry if I’m being dense.) They have effectively been released at that point. Now perhaps since they never signed with MLS, that would mean we retain their rights and there are no waivers to clear. I certainly understand that if we draft a player and they don’t show/head abroad/etc. then this is a protection mechanism to keep them from just being able to pick another team for a certain period of time. If I recall, Dike was drafted in the 1st round by Columbus, was cut prior to the season and that was the reason we were able to sign him as one of our first MLS signings. (Perhaps that was because he signed with MLS, was cut, then cleared waivers?)
Dike is different
He had signed or at least had a guaranteed contract because he was signed in the first round of the draft. However other players who are drafted but not signed to a contract are added to the Timbers Protected list until Dec of 2012.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Also
The USL Timbers signed him so it wouldn’t have mattered.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Outside mid
But played a few games at Fullback….
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Davids can play Right back too so he might get signed
since we are thin at RB. If they can get him for a reasonable cost. I only see them signing soongo or davids for financial/international spots reasons.
If they go with another RB it will be Kawulok
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 13, 2012 3:58 PM PST up reply actions
Davids
Could be as much as Songo’o though. He’s a guy I have a feeling we are looking at, but are actually going to pass. He’s played for some good clubs in Europe, and appears to have established himself more there than Songo’o has, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he was more expensive. Add in the fact he’s currently under contract in Belgium and I just don’t see how he comes here unless Liege is trying to cut his salary and is willing to basically loan him to us for free.
I see Davids as the younger Jack Jewsbury. Can play basically anywhere in the midfield, or as a RB. Maybe looking for another relatively expensive, yet talented and versatile player to possibly fill that role should he get moved (I like Jewsbury plenty, but he could potentially end up being the weakest link in the midfield this year, and frankly, he’s not an above average dmid, though he does have some enviable consistency currently. I just like the idea of selling high, when the 30 year old in your midfield just had the best season of his career)
in theory
I agree with you, but Jewsbury seems to bring so many intangibles that we can’t cut ties with him yet. Especially after all the talk of always being captain, etc.
From a pure soccer standpoint I think you are completely right about moving him now and that he may be the weakest link. But that runs the strong risk of pulling a Philly and gutting the team for the short term.
Isn’t it great that we can say that our leading point man from last season may be one of our weak links this season?
The problem is
That even as captain, he really isn’t someone you build a midfield around. Chara seems like he could be. In that vein, if someone is offering alot to trade him, you really have to consider it. Yes we’d miss his consistency and perhaps him being a captain (I like mine to have a bit more fire than he displays, personally), but I’m not sure we don’t have other capable players already on the bench (Alexander, Marcelin) not to mention Davids.
Not enough fire?
Since the end of last season I’ve honestly been secretly hoping we track Captain Jack ‘cause he makes so much and we could sell high on him. To say he doesn’t have fire though I think is not true. Who on the team displayed more fire? Perkins is about the only person I can think of that did and while he’d make a good captain it doesn’t really work having a keeper as your captain
Brunner
Futty, heck even Cooper at times.
When Cruz went after Chabala and left him lying in a heap during the Houston game, Jewsbury didn’t even say anything to him, and was hardly going after the ref about it. That was the final straw to me. Its not that he’s not passionate or that he doesn’t desire to win, its that when he’s out on the field, he’s much more of an iceman; cool, calm and collected, and I just like my captains a little crazy in the head.
I differ there
I want my Captains with ice in their veins so when the going gets tough they can look to him and calm down a little.
I want someone else to be the enforcer. Gattuso was never the captain of Italy (I may be wrong) but he as their enforcer. The only problem with the hit happening on Chabala is that they hit the one guy on the field that would go crazy after such a hit…
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Something
His ex teammates pretty much already knew.
I don’t think you need a captain to be the guy everyone looks to. The captain is the guy that talks to the Ref, and gets a little more leeway in being argumentative on the field, and I don’t see anything wrong with having some cool guys out there but someone going nuts when elbows are being thrown out there until the ref understands something is going on isn’t bad imo. Again, just a personal preference though.
The role of captain is vastly overstated in the modern game
All that the captain is, as you say, is the guy that talks to the ref. Otherwise, it’s purely ceremonial and a nice honor but not worth expending brain cells worrying about who they make be the captain.
Thanks Ryan. You fuel some fun speculation. I’d agree that Bendik would seem to be a sure thing and Songo’o most likely is as well. Of the remaining picks and trialists, there’d seem to be two spots, of which I’d love to see Kawulok get one. The other wildcard, of course, is Eddie’s health. I hope he recovers well, but I kind of hope, for his sake, that he walks away. Risking a fourth concussion just really sounds like a dangerous idea. If things did happen to work out that way, I wouldn’t be surprised for the Timbers to go for something big with that spot. They would have lost two of their top five strikers for 2012 (not including Nagbe) and have an unexpected vacancy at one of their DP spots. I’m not sure how such a signing would work for 2013 and beyond, but sometimes things have a way of sorting themselves out. For example, I don’t know the term of Chara’s contract, but he would seem to be a non-DP possibility once Portland was done amortizing his transfer fee (I think I’ve seen his actual wage is only in the $150,000 range).
by oddcontemplation on Feb 13, 2012 3:22 PM PST reply actions
Bentley?
What do people think of adding him on loan for the year? It would be a short term thing, a little against the build for the future mentality, but man, think of the crosses and goals Boyd could put up…
Just an idea.
No way, he wants a short term loan
until the summer. If the past dicates the future, he’s been consistently injured since 2010. If he was willing to play for Free I still wouldn’t be interested as he would stand in the way of growth of our youngsters.
I still don't think
We are that thin at forward. While Perlaza isn’t likely to dazzle with goal totals, he’s a very serviceable MLS forward. Nagbe has the potential to be something very very very good. Dike has looked beastly since slimming down and is clearly hungry. Richards has been a goal scorer at every level he’s played at, and although he’s not likely ready for MLS first team, he’s might not be that terrible in spot minutes. Rincon is a question mark for me, but obviously he’s rated by the coaching staff, and has great pedigree (and a green card to go along with it!). That’s not even including Boyd.
Looking at other MLS clubs, I’d take our Forwards without hesitation, even without Johnson, over Chicago, NE, Chivas, DC, Houston, Dallas, Columbus, Toronto, Montreal, and probably SJ and Colorado (although Boyd will have to match Wondo/Casey). Seattle, Philly, and possibly even Vancouver and RSL are all on a similar level. Its true we aren’t as deep as we were, but I don’t think we are scrambling by any means.
Third keeper is the only "lock"
With Songo’o being very likely if they can work out a deal.
My guess is they’ll leave a roster spot or two open like they did last year. Also, I hate to say it but EJ should not take a roster spot this year. He really shouldn’t play at all, not with three concussions in less than one year.
That said, if they don’t sign Songo’o with an International slot to spare, one of the leagues lower payrolls again (Boyd not included), and if the midfield wingers don’t produce there could be mutiny from the supporters… again, that’s if they don’t sign Songo’o.
That's what she said.
Pitchforks, torches, and Mel Gibson
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 13, 2012 10:34 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Easy to leave out Boyd
When you’re not the one paying his wages. That said I would have preferred 3 solid proven MLS performers making 200-300k each rather than one unproven guy making a million. See RSLs more even salary distribution for an example of what I mean. I guess harder to put together though and more multi-season project than the instant effect (we hope) of one big name striker
We pay for tickets and merch don't we?
The oppotunity to advertise to us is sold. Timbers operations are cash flow positive. I would say that all gives us a good reason to comment on the overall quality of the roster, minus the guy making about million more than the next highest paid guy.
Besides, the big investment in Boyd won’t mean a lot if the service doesn’t improve this year.
That's what she said.
by yepyou'reright on Feb 14, 2012 12:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
SONGO'O!?!?
I am nervous that we have not signed him, yet. He will most likely be starting for us, so lets get it done already. He is a talent that this roster needs!
I don't think you should worry
The way Spencer talks about him, and given the ammount of time he has gotten in pre-season, pretty sure they have to be close to signing him. Otherwise King and Ibarra would have gotten some more run.
The terms of the agreement may still not be met by the parties, it is all about party intent
Not that they may be close to signing him. It takes two to get a contract.
That said. I do want to see him play in Timbers green.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Does anyone worry about why Songo'o has bounced around so much?
Maybe I’m just a worry-wart, but read the comments at the end of this article (if you can decipher them): http://www.cameroononline.org/2012/02/14/franck-songoo-tries-to-earn-spot-on-portland-timbers-roster/. Maybe they know something about his character that we don’t?
He's been bouncing around some pretty good leagues
At some teams not known for stability. Portsmouth was a disaster while he was there, and Zaragoza is a club that gets ALOT of players on loan and churns its roster pretty quickly. Albacente is a pretty solidly second division club, but I don’t know much more than that about it, so its possible something odd is there, but the fact he played at Zaragoza makes me think he’s just made some bad choices in choosing clubs. This looks like a fresh start for him, I’m not worried.
Hopefully you're right.
Some good technical skill could be vital to us this year.
Care to decipher Merritt Paulson's tweet for me?
MerrittPaulson @StumptownFooty Guess I take the time to tweet about “long shots”, then? ;) geez guys, you need me to write for you? :)
Sebastian Rincón
Merritt has tweeted a fair amount about Rincón, clearly not accidental that he’s with the team. He’ll likely be staying given Merritt’s twitter commwnt.
Don't forget...
Rincon has his green card already and thus won’t take up an international slot. Plus we’re looking decidedly thinner up top than we were a month ago. Rincon’s a lock IMO.
West Side, West Side, sing us a song!
You and me both
As I am the one that got MP to tweet about it. Seems I have that affect on him with my Movil piece which got the tweet hint about Valencia.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Which rousing piece will get him to spill player acquisitions next?
Maybe a response to Rogers’ interview saying he had an offer from Portland?
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Boyd Watching
With the Far Side Cartoon of the mafia guys out with binoculars. (I can’t find it online but I love that one)
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Speaking of Boyd
What’s going on with him? Seems unlikely he’s going to meet up with the team in California at this point.
"I'm not blind, I'm deaf, I'm halfway to a ref!" (Well technically I'm 1/3rd of the way since I can properly call offsides, but that doesn't sound as catchy..)
I should've checked MP's Twitter first
Waiting for passport to be stamped and returned to kris boyd. Would have been nice to have him in LA but process can take a while #rctid
and
Hopefully get everything finalized this week. #rctid
"I'm not blind, I'm deaf, I'm halfway to a ref!" (Well technically I'm 1/3rd of the way since I can properly call offsides, but that doesn't sound as catchy..)
GCA Tweets:
Midfielders Lance Davids and Brendan King cut today.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
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