Alvas Powell injured while on national team duty

Timber’s right-back Alvas Powell was released early from his call-up to the Jamaican national team after developing an injury, according to a story in the Jamaica Observer. Wednesday, in preparation for Jamaica’s match against Ecuador, Powell aggravated a groin muscle, says team doctor Cary Fletcher. The Observer also reported that Powell has been returned to the Timbers for further injury assessment and treatment. Fletcher estimates Powell could be out of action for up to a month.

For however long Powell ends up being out, the Timbers will likely rely on Zarek Valentin and Jorge Villafana to fill the starting outside back positions, which includes another three-games-in-one-week stretch from the 15th to the 22nd. While Marco Farfan can ably fill-in on the left, the Timbers’ support on the right is now looking limited to Bill Tuiloma, who has played at that position this season despite not naturally being an outside player.