MLS Transfer News: No New Centerback for Timbers
By Scott Behler
The Portland Timbers look to have failed to sign their deadline day defender.
Bad news for Portland Timbers fans today. Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reports that sources indicate that Portland will not sign a new center back just yet.
I'm told that Portland's deal to bring in new CB will not get done today. It's not John Boye either. Scheduled to arrive in July. #RCTID
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) May 8, 2017
Originally told not to expect anything before May, it looks like the Timbers faithful will have to wait a few more months.
While frustrating in and of itself, the poor defensive showing this weekend will make the news all the more disheartening.
Without defensive reinforcements arriving, Portland will hope for an immediate return of Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri, both of whom were listed as questionable in the week leading up to their game with the Earthquakes.
While neither of those players are defenders, they are integral to retaining possession and the offensive output for the Timbers. Without a new defender incoming, Portland will have to revert to outscoring opponents, which is where Nagbe and Valeri come into play.
The Portland Timbers had to stretcher off Valeri during the Portland Timbers’ Cascadia clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 80th minute. While initially assessed to have a minor hip problem that ruled him out of the FC Dallas clash at Toyota Stadium, the medical team hoped he would return against San Jose.
Meanwhile, Darlington Nagbe limped off in Frisco during their 2-2 draw to Dallas, and there has been little news about the condition of the Timbers winger.
Who and When?
Carlisle clarified one of his earlier tweets, which has led to speculation from some fans:
Point of clarification. Portland's new CB will arrive in June & be eligible to play in July. #RCTID https://t.co/JMruQpkWbC
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) May 8, 2017
With the anticipated announcement coming in June and at least one veteran announcing the end of their stint with their current club, fans are making speculative guesses that the CB may arrive from the Premier League.
Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian indicates that this is likely not the case, however:
"“According to multiple reports, the Timbers have already signed a new center back out of Turkey. The holdup appears to be with the player’s contract and the willingness of his current team to release/transfer him before mid-summer.”– Jamie Goldberg"
That information, paired with Carlisle’s, tells us that the player is almost certainly integral to his current team’s aspirations for this season.
While certainly not the news Portland fans will have wanted, the end of the center back saga finally appears to have an expected end date.