Even more new Timbers

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3968716

Timbers add 3 new players. I like 1, but the jury's out on the other 2.

GK: Matt Pyzdrowski, a recent graduate of Marquette U.

Mid: Derek Gaudet, a Canadian U-23 and recent National Team camp callup.

Fwd: Doug DeMartin, 2008 KC Wizards draftee

I think Gaudet is a very promising signing. He's still developing and his international experience is a big plus. The jury's out on the other 2.

*3rd GK? Adding Pyzdrowski means the Timbers have 3 'keepers: Cronin, Adin Brown, and Pyzdrowski. Why 3 GK? That's a lot of payroll for a position that requires 2 people, at best- when you can find a loanee from an MLS team, in a pinch.

Does this mean Visser is out of the picture? Are the Timbers covering all their bases, in case an MLS team comes in for Cronin (who had a nice loan spell with DC United at the end of last season) or Brown doesn't come back to full fitness?

My prediction: I don't think that all 3 keepers will be on the roster by the end of the season. Either Brown won't come back to full fitness from his injury or Cronin will move on to greener pastures. I hope Cronin stays because he really grew on me last season, beginning with his passion on display during the Northwest Derby.

More Roster Additions

The Timbers added 2 more to the 2010 Roster:

GK: Adin Brown
Def: Scot Thompson

*Adin Brown: Last I saw him, with the 'Nats, he seemed big, but slow. He's also coming off a knee injury. I'm skeptical of this addition to the roster and would still like to see Brian Visser offered a spot on the roster to continue his development.

*Scot Thompson: excellent. Still a good defender & team leader. S-C-O-T, Scot with 1 "T"!

**I saw Daniel Woolard was released by the Chicago Fire. He's a left-sided defender with speed and foot skills. He started the Fire's 2 playoff games last year and looked good doing it. I think he'd be tremendous competition for Ian Joy, and a possible addition for the 2011 MLS roster.

Pick Him Up, Gav!

Still in need of at least 1 additional forward. Waiting to see who gets unexpectedly dropped from MLS rosters.

C'mon 2010!

How the Roster Shakes Out: Part 1

It's almost the beginning of March and the Timbers have most of their roster figured out.

Let's take a look at what the team currently possesses, and needs, as the preseason progresses.

-Part 2 will look at some intriguing loan and/or free agent signings whom I believe the Timbers front office should take a look at signing.

Here's the roster from the Team website:


Forwards
Josten, George
Keita, Mandjou
Suzuki, Takayuki

Midfielders
Cameron, Josh
Claesson, Johan
Farber, Brian
Lopez, Rodrigo
Marcelin, James
McManus, Tony
Pore, Ryan
Savage, Keith


Defenders
Danso, Mamadou
Joy, Ian
Keel, Stephen
Kirk, Quavas
Smth, Ross


Goalkeepers
Cronin, Steve

*Cameron Knowles is inactive, but I expect him to be on the roster.
*Keita remains a question mark because I thought he was on loan to an Indian league team?
*Where's Visser- the backup goalkeepr signed from the U-23 team from last year?

What's Missing
-Forwards: This team is clearly in need of 2 additional Forwards. Suzuki is no longer a dangerous forward at his age. I thought he was an incredibly crafty outside winger last year, either to start for 60 minutes, or to come off the bench at the same 60-70 minute mark.

-Midfielders: We are set. 8 (possibly 9) midfielders. And, importantly, Farber & Pore are coming back. Would like to see Nimo on loan again, but not sure if Real Salt Lake has him in their plans, especially after they picked a 2nd crafty Timbers U-23 winger in the recent MLS Draft.

-Defenders: We need an additional defender. Ian Joy is a solid pro and probably our starting left-back. But even assuming Knowles and S.C.O.T. Thompson (if re-signed?) make the Roster, that's only 7 defenders- and I'd feel more comfortable with a backup at each position.

*To solve the extra defender problem: I propose PTFC sign former Timber, Mike Randolph.
The kid has serious game- he played well for PTFC and the Galaxy, even earning a National Team Camp call-up. He'd probably adjust well being back with his former club. He's playing PDL right now in L.A., so he's a free agent. He's also a left-footer with speed to kill, who can also provide cover at left midfield. Is he on Gavin's radar? Who knows, but he should be.

-Goalkeeper: I'd like to see Visser officially on the Roster. Cronin's our guy right now. If something happens to one of my favorite Timbers of '09, then we can loan somebody from MLS in a pinch. But why waste salary space if it's not essential. One backup is plenty.

There you have it. Plenty of midfielders with pace and bite, solid goalkeeping, a sturdy base of defenders (KEEL!), but lacking much firepower up front.

I'm interested to see what Gavin chooses as the last pieces of his Roster puzzle.

You guys like the current roster? Ideas for people Gavin should give a look? Happy to see so many carryovers from last years Division-winning squad?

March 11 waits...

Timbers full of Joy, and others?

PTFC signed Ian Joy today, a fiesty veteran defender who spent time with Real Salt Lake and St. Pauli FC of Germany (what a club!).

I think it's a solid addition to the roster, especially with the absence of David Hayes.

In other news, the Timbers beat U of Portland 2-0 in an exhibition last night. The 2 goals were scored by a trialist whose name escapes me. The new Haitian midfielder made his first appearance for the Men-in-Green, earning an assist on 1 of the goals. Good work, young man!

*I noticed "Zaher" was listed in the starting lineup. If this is Mike Zaher, who played with San Jose and D.C. United?, then I am pleased. I remember watching him and thinking he had good technical skills, perhaps with time he could develop into a Bryan Namoff for a MLS team. He hits a pretty wicked cross, though he's still learning how to defend at the pro level. I hope there's room on the roster for the Timbers to take a flyer on this kid with potential to come with us to MLS in 2011.


Whose going to the Charity Shield match in Seattle on March 11? Ticket revenue goes to some great causes- Save the Children among them. And Portland's own Mercy Corps. So take the fan bus, regular bus, train, plane, or automobile up to our Northwest Neighbor to the North. It will help the neverending preseason go by that much faster... please?

2009 Roster Update

Let's take a look at how the 2009 Timbers roster is shaping up:

(from portlandtimbers.com)

Portland Timbers Roster »

Forwards »
Jallow, Antou
Josten, George
Keita, Mandjou
McLaughlin, Jason

Midfielders »
Cameron, Josh
Claesson, Johan
Farber, Brian
Guante, Miguel
Lara, Ricardo "Kiki"
McManus, Tony
Olum, Lawrence
Poltl, Tom
Savage, Keith

Defenders »
Dunn, Cameron
Knowles, Cameron
Thompson, Scot
Vua, Dieumerci

Goalkeepers
(None?)

Okay, so there will obviously be some changes before opening day. A goalkeeper or 2 is definitely in order. Gavin Wilkinson may be waiting on MLS Rosters to be finalized before seeing what other talent is available.

The Roster has a lot of size at forward (all 6-footers), short but quick midfielders, and solid starting defenders.

Here are some players I'd be interested in seeing added to the opening day roster:

1) Jamie Watson (FW/Mid/RB): currently on trial at FC Dallas. From the 3rdDegree.net reports (Buzz Carrick's one of the best), it seems that Jamie's having a great spring, but may be cut due to a limitation on roster spots and an abundance of forwards already on the Dallas roster. Watson's fast, can play a number of different positions, and is competitive as hell. He just needs the opportunity to show his stuff for a whole season.

2) Nico Cololuca (Mid): currently on trial at Colorado Rapids. He tried out for a month with RB New York, but was unsuccessful. He's a young and talented midfielder, who may be on his way out of Colorado.

3) Josh Lambo (GK): a Generation Adidas player at Dallas. He wants a chance to get some playing time. Portland doesn't have any keepers on their roster. A more local option would be Austin- but I'm pretty sure they signed their PDL keeper to a contract. He's a young and talented GK for the US U-20s.

4) Kyle Veris (Def): Played for Los Angeles and in Norway; currently on trial with DC United. He's a big defender with decent speed. He could provide depth and competition for our backline.

Goalscoring was a huge problem last year. Has Gavin's roster changes added speed and goalscoring ability to the roster? I'm not convinced. I remember far too many scoreless ties or losses at PGE Park last year.

Still some time before opening day. Anybody you guys would like to see added to the roster? Maybe a Pacific NW product or 2?

C'mon you Timbers!

Gregor & Knowles re-sign; Wicks in Hawaii

The Portland Timbers announced today that midfielder Andrew Gregor and defender Cameron Knowles have signed one-year contract extensions through the 2009 season. Both players originally signed two-year contracts prior to the 2007 season.
Last season, both Gregor and Knowles were named to the USL First Division All-League first team and helped guide the Timbers to the club’s first appearance in the USL First Division semifinals.

http://www.soccer365.com/united_soccer_leagues/story_21208163024.php


Also, Josh Wicks made an appearance for LA Galaxy last night in the Pan-Pacific Championship, on ESPN Classic. He might make another appearance for the "Stars" (insert sarcasm here) on Saturday. Last night, he put in a solid effort and did not give up any goals, though he was not called upon to do anything spectacular. He certainly appeared more confident than the starting goalkeeper Steve Cronin.

I also had a small gripe with the ESPN Classic broadcast commentator, who referred to Hawaii as "the Sunshine State." Call me a geography snob, and you wouldn't be the first, but Hawaii is the "Aloha State" and Florida (ugh) is the Sunshine State. This useless information takes up brain cells that could be better used in finding women.

Who's House? Wicks' House

The Portland Timbers announced today that goalkeeper Josh Wicks will return for the 2008 season – his second with the club. After a breakout performance with the Timbers last season, Wicks was named the 2007 USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year.

I was impressed with Wicks this past year, despite missing the admirable Josh Saunders between the pipes. Wicks won the "goalkeeper of the year" award, which is a good sign that he is at least an above-average USL keeper. However, I always had the sneaking suspicion that the defense in front of Wicks was such a significant contributor that Wicks' statistics flattered him in the end.

Well, we've got another year to look him over and I'm happy that another cornerstone of last year's team is back in place. One thing the Timbers have missed over the years is continuity in the roster. I firmly believe in new blood to stoke the competitive fires for roster spots, but it will certainly be nice to know the general layout of the team before April begins.

I can't wait for the never-ending offseason to end.