As the Timbers enter the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, they will be looking to fare a lot better than previous years. Will they find the next legend?
Since their MLS existence started in 2011, the Portland Timbers have attempted to build their squad through the SuperDraft, but haven’t been as lucky as may have thought they’d be.
You have to go back to the 2014 SuperDraft to find a player the Timbers actually used and nurtured throughout a season. Other than Taylor Peay in 2014, the Timbers only have one more talking point in their draft history and that was in 2011 when they selected Darlington Nagbe.
With multiple players retiring and a couple being loaned out during the off-season, it seems like a perfect time for the Timbers to start filling their gaps with young, fresh legs.
Jeremy Ebobisse
Position: Forward
School: Duke
With the highest pick in the SuperDraft since selecting Nagbe, the Timbers selected Jeremy Ebobisse in the first round. His welcome statement to the club came off the back of a trade of picks with the Dynamo, a international roster spot, and $100,00 in general allocation money.
The former Blue Devil comes to Portland with an impressive resume, already spending time with D.C. United’s U-23 squad, the USL’s Charleston Battery, and the USMNT U-20.
The well spoken 19 year old seems to embody the “Club, Country, and Community” saying administered by the MLS and will look to challenge Fandendo Adi for the number nine role.
Grade: A
With the 10th pick of the 2nd Round (No. 32 overall), we select D Michael Amick (@AmickMichael) of @UCLAMSoccer. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/IQOvZGivrC
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) January 13, 2017
Michael Amick
Position: Defender
School: UCLA
With the No. 32 pick, the Timbers selected defender Michael Amick. The left-footed distributor was a four year starter at UCLA, but will have to fight for a spot on the first team with Ridgewell, Miller, Arokoyo, and Clarke all ahead of him. Amick will most likely be loaned to the USL with T2, but that will serve him with minutes necessary to compete for a first team spot in the future.
Grade: B
Next: Don Garber confident Miami will be MLS' 24th team
The Timbers selections in the opening rounds of the 2017 SuperDraft comes off a week of more key signings. This past week the Timbers announced a surge of youth coming from their USL affiliated club, Portland Timbers 2 or T2. Rennico Clarke, Victor Arboleda, and Kendall McIntosh were all signed to first team contracts while Marco Farfan was signed to a homegrown one.
Let us know your thoughts on Portland’s first two picks in the comment section below.
More 2017 MLS Draft Analysis:
- Atlanta United
- Minnesota United
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- Seattle Sounders
- FC Dallas
- DC United
- Columbus Crew
- Colorado Rapids
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