Timbers select Abdi Mohamed in MLS Mock Draft

After successfully fighting their way through the Western Conference playoff bracket, the Portland Timbers have earned themselves the second-to-last pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, coming in at 23rd of 24.

Last year, the Timbers didn’t have a pick in the draft until the third round, and didn’t actually end up signing any of their four picks. The year before, however, we saw some draft-day trade maneuvers from Gavin Wilkinson to move up to 4th in the picking order to select Jeremy Ebobisse; a move that has certainly paid off in recent months.

With such a late starting berth this year, it seems unlikely for much of the Timbers’ winter transfer strategy to revolve around the SuperDraft. That said, there’s still no reason that the team won’t aim to pick some promising talent that fits the needs of the squad.

As such, I chose Abdi Mohamed with the 23rd pick in the first round of SBNation’s MLS Mock Draft.

Mohamed, out of Akron, is traditionally a midfielder, but who made a successful transition to right back for his most recent college season, registering a goal and five assists. Having just traded Alvas Powell, the Timbers are certainly short in the depth chart at right back, and a young, promising player with a midfielder’s technical ability seems like a player profile they could use in the position. Especially considering that Zarek Valentin, also out of Akron, would be a strong mentor for him.

See the full SBN MLS Mock Draft Results:

MLS Mock Draft 2019
1. FC Cincinnati – Tajon Buchanon
2. San Jose Earthquakes – Frankie Amaya
3. Orlando City – Callum Montgomery
4. FC Dallas – Siad Haji
5. Chicago Fire – Akeem Ward
6. Toronto FC – Dayne St. Clair
7. Minnesota United – Brad Dunwell
8. Houston Dynamo – Griffin Dorsey
9. New England Revolution – Sergio Rivas
10. FC Dallas – John Nelson
11. Revolution – Marcello Borges
12. LA Galaxy – Prosper Figbe
13. Philadelphia Union – JJ Williams
14. D.C. United – Logan Gdula
15. Colorado Rapids – Andre Shinyashiki
16. Los Angeles FC – Wouter Verstraaten
17. Real Salt Lake – DeJuan Jones
18. Columbus Crew – Ryan Sierakowski
19. New York City FC – Santiago Patiño
20. Seattle Sounders – Hassani Dotson
21. Sporting KC – Camden Riley
22. New York Red Bulls – Peter-Lee Vassell
23. Portland Timbers – Abdi Mohamed
24. Atlanta United – Rece Buckmaster