Bill Tuiloma signs contract extension with the Timbers

Bill Tuiloma and the Portland Timbers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, as announced by the team on Thursday. The financial terms and length of the deal were not disclosed.

Last season, Tuiloma proved to be a vital piece of the defense when healthy. During the team’s 12-game season-opening road trip, he started the final ten games of that stretch at center back. He suffered a hamstring injury during the home opener in June and didn’t start another game until August. After his return from injury, Tuiloma was one of the most consistent presences in the defense during the stretch run, maintaining a spot as a regular starter while the rest of the backline was dealing with a rash of injuries.

Fans generally agree that one of the more steady center back pairings last season was Bill Tuiloma alongside Larrys Mabiala. It will be interesting now to see how the battle for starting spots and chemistry along the backline progresses this offseason. It’s uncertain whether Tuiloma and Mabiala will come out of that battle as the first-choice center back pairing, now that Dario Zuparic is in the fold and Julio Cascante is back from injury.

One thing that can be certain though is that Ol’ Bill will be indeed part that battle, new contract in hand.