Sebastian Blanco: The Player that the Portland Timbers Wanted in Lucas Melano

Lucas Melano divided opinion for most of the Portland faithful for his time as a Timber; now on loan, is there any possibility of a return?

Fans bickered about whether he was playing enough or in the right areas, but Lucas Melano needed something special to succeed with the Portland Timbers. Even a casual observer would note that he seemed to have all of the attributes necessary for an attack-minded player. Quick, technically sound, a shot with power and pace, and, when he wanted to, the ability to beat his man.

The only thing he couldn’t do, was to do any of those things consistently.

For two frustrating years, the Timbers saw sparks of brilliance and hoped that he would eventually catch fire. Instead, those flashes were the best that they got.

From agonizing open goal misses to boneheaded errors and turnovers that cost the Timbers points, Melano had everything he needed to succeed physically, but lacked the steel will and quick thinking that the beautiful game demands above all else. After netting only four goals over two seasons, Portland decided that the Melano experiment was over.

Now back on loan with his first professional team, Club Atlético Belgrano, Melano only has two appearances this year for the relegation-threatened side. With only 12 goals, Belgrano also has the lowest attacking output in Argentina, and are currently in 29th place of 30 teams in the Primera División. So, what’s in store for him if he can’t get minutes in such an attack-starved team?

In theory, Melano could come back to the Timbers, just as Dairon Asprilla did after a loan move to Millionarios.

That seems unlikely, however, especially given his lack of appearances for an obviously struggling side. Asprilla’s stint away was down to attitude and behavior problems according to Head Coach Caleb Porter; Melano’s sojourn appears to relate to his quality.

Enter Sebastian Blanco

A former teammate of Diego Valeri’s at Lanus from 2006-2011, the Portland favorite could hardly contain his joy when asked about Blanco before the start of the 2017 season. Despite not having played together for six years, the pairing seems to have picked up where they left off. Blanco assisted Valeri in the 47th minute of their opening game, helping the Timbers to a 5-1 win.

Possibly more vital to their chemistry, however, is the fact that Portland finally has some quality backup for their playmaker.

Valeri has provided most of Portland’s creativity since his arrival. Therefore, his absence against FC Dallas made fans and pundits wonder if the attack could continue without him.

Those queries were answered in the form of Sebastian Blanco with a clear and resounding, “Yes.”

When fit, Valeri forces his counterpart out on the wing, but Blanco prefers to play as the central playmaker. After his performance in Frisco, we can understand why. The highlights will show him in a crowded box, managing to dance around Kevin Acosta and slot home from 12 yards, but his overall influence was far greater than just the goal.

The 28-year-old filled in comfortably for his countryman and had a solid night in Texas. He completed 76% of his passes, succeeded on three of his four dribbles, provided two key passes, had zero interceptions. Blanco was never dispossessed, and won both of his tackles on the night, all away at a very difficult venue that boasted the best home record in all of MLS last year. Despite conceding the lead twice, the Timbers can consider this a road point well earned.

Having already faced a number of potential playoff and MLS Cup contenders this year, the Timbers should feel confident about their matchup at San José. Even if Valeri isn’t ready to return to action, there’s a deputy that can capably complete the job.

Considering all that and Melano’s past shortcomings, it’s difficult to imagine a third Argentine in Portland next year. Further, with Adi, Valeri, Nagbe, Asprilla, Mattocks, now Blanco, and even Jack Barmby, the real question is where he fits in the squad, let alone the first XI.

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At 24, it’s time for Melano to discard the label of “prospect” and dawn the mantle of “professional”. To have any future with the Timbers, or any professional organization for that matter, he’ll have to displace established players. If he hopes to be more than dead weight in any team, Lucas Melano will need to prove to everyone that he’s the player that the Portland Timbers wanted to sign in 2015, rather than the one that they did.