Two More Players Released from Camp

In the latest article from the Portland Timbers website it has been announced that Quavas Kirk and Taylor Mueller are no longer training with the team. I started to think Gavin and Spencer would consider taking Kirk, because of the Gilbert situation at right back. That hasn't been the case however, and now we are left with 5 players still vying for a spot and 24 (23 if Gilbert is no longer in the picture) signed members of the team. Here's who we've got left:

1. Rodrigo Lopez
2. Bim Ogunyemi
3. Chris Taylor
4. Spencer Thompson
5. Brian Umony

Who do you see earning the final spots on the team? Last week I picked my five remaining player signings. Roster is expected to be 28 players for the inaugural season.

7 Figure Bid for Marcos Flores?

Looks like Paulson and the Timbers may sign their first designated player in the near future. Rumors are swirling that they are looking to sign the A-League standout Marcos Flores. Gavin and Paulson have both stated publicly that a 7-figure offer has been put on the table for a mystery player, and reports out of Australia have pointed towards Flores. Let me know what you think of this potential signing? Are you impressed with his video highlights? Make sure you watch the goals at the 4:20 and 7:00 minute marks... incredible finishes.

5 Roster Spots Left: Who Gets Signed?

The Portland Timbers currently have 23 players under contract for the upcoming MLS season. With Mike Golub the Chief Operating Officer of the team recently announcing we will likely carry a 28 man roster (rather than the 30 max), players are fighting for their spot. Here are the 5 players I expect to be announced prior to the opening game on March 19th.

#1 Brian Umony: A loan deal appears to have already been agreed upon and signed. Brian expected his announcement to come earlier this week. Extra help at forward was deemed necessary with the injury to Dike. I bet Umony gets announced later today!

#2 Jorge Perlaza: The Columbian forward would already be signed if his previous club weren't trying to rope in a transfer fee. Some bogus second contract Perlaza apparently signed is holding the process up. The Perlaza signing is taking longer than Gavin would like, but he will eventually be a Timbers player.

#3 Chris Taylor: The 22nd overall pick in the SuperDraft out of Tulsa. Chris is a solid defensive player that Amos and Spencer were really fond of. He was ecstatic to join the team and he will provide some extra depth at defense.

#4 Mystery Midfielder: Still have my hopes that Gavin will bring in a dynamic center midfielder. The man they want has proven more difficult to obtain, with multiple clubs seeking his services.

#5 Paul "BIM" Ogunyemi: Former U-23 winger is back in camp with the Timbers after being released from FC Dallas. I love watching this kid play and he was a major part of the 20-0-0 season the PDL squad had. He is young and has tremendous potential. Your my boy Bim!

The Peruvian Maradona. Future Timber?

The Portland Timbers have been evaluating Roberto Merino Ramirez during camp. This guy has some mad skill and would instantly be a fan favorite. There may be some concerns due to his size (5 ft 5 in), but his sheer skill is impressive. Watch this clip here from the Portland Timbers Facebook page where Merino breaks the ankles of a Montreal player before sending in a perfect cross for the winning goal.

UPDATE: Roberto appears to no longer be in camp. He has been removed from the online roster. It looks like he may be returning to a club in Peru. It's a shame... would have been fun to watch.

U-23s Get Promoted! Congrats Freddie + Jake

It's official folks. I knew it was bound to happen eventually, but today the press release came out. Freddie Braun and Jake Gleeson will be members of the Timbers in 2011. These two deserve everything they get. I had the pleasure of watching them perform this summer for the U-23s and they are both class individuals. They were always willing to lend a hand and they made me feel welcome amongst the team. We had some good times hanging out at the stadium and our trip to Kitsap was a blast. Freddie will add to our depth at the CM position, and Jake has the potential to be our number 1 keeper in the next few years. Big ups to these guys, can't wait to see them take the field.

Photos courtesy of Portland Timbers

Rumor: Brian Umony Loan Deal

A while back I suspected Brian Umony would be one of the players signed by the Portland Timbers as a replacement for the injured Bright Dike. I figured we needed one more forward option, and Umony is a young talented footballer who has had a productive preseason.

Now there are reports that a loan deal for Umony is imminent. I found this report at MLS Rumors, so it's not official by any means. However, I think most people would argue that Umony is a solid signing. I expect the next round of player signings to be announced following the teams trip to Arizona.

Timber's Trialist Brian Umony

Yesterday the Timbers played the LA Galaxy in a training game at the Home Depot Center. It was a well fought battle between two clubs still trying to gain fitness and team chemistry. The Galaxy struck first in the second half, but the Timbers were able to equalize through Brian Umony. With Bright Dike out for the next 6-9 months I suspect the Timbers will look into signing Umony to fill out their depth chart at striker.

• Age 24. Born December 12, 1986
• Often regarded as one of the finest talents Ugandan soccer has produced
• Previously played for Kampala City Council, Supersport United, and the University of Pretoria FC
• Debut for Uganda came in 2009, and has received 8 caps while scoring 8 goals
• Ugandan Super League Golden Boot: 2007-2008
• Ugandan Footballer of the Year: 2008
• CECAFA Cup Golden Boot: 2009

NZ Website: Jake Gleeson Remains a Timber

It appears that Jake Gleeson who played for the Timbers U-23s will be the third goalkeeper signed for the MLS Timbers. In an article posted on the NZHerald website, Gleeson has apparently been given a contract.

"One will go to former New Zealand under-17 goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, who had an excellent season for Portland's title-winning reserve team last year. Gleeson will step up to the MLS squad and Wilkinson has challenged him to be their No 1 goalkeeper in two years."

I'd like to wish Jake all the best as he makes the jump to MLS. He is a great keeper with loads of potential. I couldn't be happier for all these U-23 Timbers moving onto brighter futures. Congratulations Jake. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Jake running me across the field after winning the PDL Western Conference Title

Edison Fonseca: Mystery Forward?

Could Edison Fonseca be the Colombian forward we have been hearing about? MLS Rumors seems to think so. Fonseca has reportably been released by the Iranian club FC Mes Rafsanjan. The front office has hinted at announcing a forward this week, and earlier speculation pointed towards a player of Colombian descent. Word from John Strong (Radio voice of the Portland Timbers) is that the forward deal was "an e-mail away" from being complete. In the image above you can see Fonseca at PGE Park standing on the right side. He actually trialed with the Timbers during the 2010 season, so he is a player Gavin has had his eye on for some time. Check out this highlight reel found at Associated Sports Management (ASM), the agency that represents Fonseca and James Marcelin.

Player Announcements Coming Soon

Breaking news from John Strong's twitter feed today as he writes the following:

Timbers source: “we have 2 forwards to announce and **working on** a dynamic playmaking center midfielder. Team is coming together”

Breaking News: Darlington Nagbe Loves Twilight

The Portland Timbers selected Darlington Nagbe out of Akron University today with the #2 overall pick in the 2011 Superdraft. He seems like a great young talent that is MLS ready, but his movie choices are questionable. Not sure how your top two films are Training Day and Eclipse. Seem like polar opposites to me. Regardless, Welcome to Portland Nagbe! You just won over every teenage girl in the Portland area.

2011 MLS Superdraft

Tomorrow at 9 AM Pacific the 2011 MLS Superdraft will kick-off live on ESPN2. The cable network will air the first round of the draft, followed by rounds 2 & 3 on the MLS website. It will be a very important day for the Timbers organization. Having the #2 pick in the draft assures the club of getting a standout performer from the college ranks. The difficult part is selecting the player that has the most room to grow and become a star in our league.

Just for kicks you should check out who ESPN rates as the top 10 value picks in the history of the draft and the worst 10 picks. Pretty interesting.

Also there are some mock-drafts out there that are worth taking a look at. Ives Galarcep with Fox Soccer lays out his first round predictions. And the writers at MLSsoccer.com weigh in on the draft with their selections. The general consensus is that the Portland Timbers will either take Darlington Nagbe or Perry Kitchen, both from Akron. Also noteworthy is Portland holds the 20th and 22nd picks in the draft. This is where the real challenge lies. Will these picks turn into stand-out performers like late selections Brian Ching, Edson Buddle, and Shalrie Joseph? Or will they barely survive training camp and simply ride the pine in MLS? Only time will tell.

Be sure to watch the draft on ESPN2! Just over 2 months left until opening kick!

Rumor: Portland Timbers Sign Kenny Cooper

Kenny Cooper's name has been swirling around the rumor mill lately as it looks likely that he will be making a return to MLS. When 1860 Munich pulled him away from the league a while back they paid a transfer fee, which means FC Dallas no longer holds his rights. Therefore the allocation order comes into effect. With the Vancouver Whitecaps using their #1 spot to take Jay Demerit, the Portland Timbers now hold the #1 position. We have been looking for a striker to partner with either Eddie Johnson, Ryan Pore, or Bright Dike, and Cooper would be a huge signing.

Ian Joy is reporting on his Twitter account that he believes the signing to be a done deal:

"Kicker headline- Cooper goes back to homeland. Then its says he has left 1860 and will sign for Portland Timbers! Looks 100% to me!"

Let's hope he is right!