Nathan Limior Takes on Everton and the Premier League

Here are Portland's selections from the 2013 MLS SuperDraft:

1st Round, 1st Overall

2nd Round, 20th Overall

2nd Round, 21st Overall

2nd Round, 34th Overall

Ryan Moreno and Jason Sampson will go into the match day squad immediately if I can find a place for them. David Moreno has immense potential but is a project. Nick Aguilar doesn't really fit into my system but I will try to repurpose him into a left midfielder, loan him, and try to get value back later.

Naturally, FM gives me an F for the draft.

Those players don't look too bad, although I have no idea how the drafting system of the MLS works. What does it mean if you get an F for the draft!?!?!

It means nothing, really. In the United States, whenever a league drafts, the media likes to judge how the teams drafted, despite not really being able to judge a draft until a few years later. This is just FM replicating that here, kind of like how it includes the betting odds for promotion/championship in European leagues.

Offseason Transfers

- Portland Timbers sign striker Teal Bunbury to a developmental contract
- Portland Timbers trade Ryan Kawulok to Chivas USA for their 2015 Superdraft 2nd round pick.
- Nick Aguilar loaned to Minnesota Stars until the end of the season
- David Moreno loaned to Fort Lauderdale Strikers until the end of the season

The draft picks look good hopefully they can be the future of the team in year to come

Portland has signed defensive midfielder Sebastian Kohl, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, as one of their Designated Players after signing a massive 1 year, $3.2 million contract. Portland supporters are excited about the signing, and head coach Nathan Limior is as well. "He's 32, but he still has a lot in the tank, and I know he will help us in MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League."

Great signing there should provide good influence and maybe a tutor?

Nice drafts and a very nice signing too

San Antonio Scorpions 0 - 0 Portland Timbers

Richmond Kickers 0 - 0 Portland Timbers

FC Edmonton 0 - 3 Portland Timbers

Rochester Rhinos 3 - 3 Portland Timbers

Atlanta Silverbacks 1 - 1 Portland Timbers

Puerto Rico Islanders 0 - 0 Portland Timbers

Wilmington Hammerheads 1 - 2 Portland Timbers

February 1: Portland Timbers sign defenders Dean Cole and Timothy Agbonifo to Academy Apprentice contracts from Timbers Academy.


Dean Cole will need some seasoning and I'll loan him out, but Agbonifo looks like he's ready to play for me today. He's only fifteen!

February 6: Dean Cole loaned to Portland Timbers U23 until the end of the season.

February 12: Brian Ching suffered a twisted ankle and will be out 5-6 weeks.
February 27: Sebastian Kehl suffered a thigh strain and will be out 4 weeks.
March 6: Dylan Tucker-Gagnes, Steven Kinney, and Alan Gordon waived to meet roster requirements.
March 7: Bryan Arguez waived to create a roster spot for John Thorrington.

1st Round, 15th Overall

2nd Round, 34th Overall

Portland Timbers 0 - 1 FC Dallas

Portland Timbers 3 - 0 Houston Dynamo

San Jose Earthquakes 0 - 1 Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers 2 - 1 Toronto FC

March 11: Portland win Joaquin Alcala on waivers.

March 10: Brad Evans out 3-4 weeks due to a thigh strain.
March 16: Kyle Bekker out 3-4 months due to a damaged achilles tendon. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.
March 17: John Thorrington out 5-6 weeks with a twisted ankle. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.
March 23: Rodney Wallace out 4-5 weeks with broken ribs. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.
March 28: Donell Henry out 6-7 weeks with a hernia. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.

A hot start after the early failure, the defense is solid if prone to random slip-ups, but the attack is what I'm worrying about, 6 goals in the first 4 matches. We're also suffering from a rash of injuries, so if we can overcome that we'll be strong when they come back.

Chivas USA 0 - 2 Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers 0 - 1 Real Salt Lake

Seattle Sounders 3 - 2 Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers 1 - 0 FC Dallas

Portland Timbers 2 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes

April 6: Portland sign Bjorn Kringe to a developmental contract. The transfer will go through July 1.

April 7: Sebastian Rincon suffered a sprained ankle and will be out between 7 weeks and 2 months. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.
April 13: Sebastian Kehl suffered a broken toe and will be out 2-3 months. He has been placed on the 6-match disabled list.

We won more than we lost, but those losses to Real Salt Lake and Seattle sting. Santiago Castano doesn't seem to be ready to man the sticks yet, but Gleeson is doing a very good job, and Reis can be called upon in a pinch.

If you had to ask who the linchpin to Portland's success so far is, you'd have to say the center backs, Hanyer Mosquera and Edson. Mosquera won the MLS Player of the Month for March, while Edson did it in April. Portland Timbers have let in 7 goals so far in 9 matches, which is good for third in the MLS. While manager Nathan Limior has experimented everywhere else on the pitch, the South American center back pair have played all the minutes so far this season for Portland.

Portland has acquired defensive midfielder Willian Schuster Dornelles da Silva from Sportivo Luqueno on a free transfer. Willian will be on a 5 year, $170,000 per year contract, and the transfer will be finalized on June 27. Willian is expected to be a replacement for Sebastian Kehl, who is currently out injured, and will be available whenever Portland uses five midfielders.

Kehl! That is an amazing signing, keep it up

Some great results and a great signing there.