Wild Rumor: Nigel Reo-Coker Turns Down Portland Timbers in Hopes of Joining West Brom

It was always kind of a wacky rumor and one that never really seemed to make sense for any of the parties involved. According to the rumor, English midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker was told by USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann that if he wanted to have a chance of getting called up for US Soccer, he would have to join an MLS side. Note: Reo-Coker is not American, but apparently has an American wife. This rumor then spun into both the Portland Timbers and New York Red Bulls being involved in trying to bring him to the states.

Fast forward to today and apparently the UK's Daily Mail, which I'm told is not held in high esteem, is reporting that a deal being brokered between Portland and Reo-Coker has fallen through. Instead, the Englishman will attempt to sign a contract with West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League, a move which seems to make far more sense.

To be honest, I'm not sure where Reo-Coker fit in which the Portland Timbers. Would he have been an instant upgrade over our current midfielders? Perhaps, but with a roster full of new and exciting midfielders eager to prove their worth to the Timbers, I don't know why the FO would bother. It just made absolutely no sense.

In the end, I don't believe there was anything substantial to this rumor. Especially with Merritt Paulson's most recent tweet:

@nasnportland please.I learned who this guy is through twitter.

— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) February 4, 2013

It really just seemed like a ploy from all involved to get some headlines. Moving on!

What would you have thought of Nigel Reo-Coker moving to Portland?