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Portland

Lindsey Horan
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Portland extends Sinclair, Says Goodbye to Horan (For Now)

by John Rustik
written by John Rustik

It’s been a busy week for the Thorns. Just on Thursday, Portland has announced the extension of Christine Sinclair as well as the (temporary) departure of Lindsey Horan. Here’s everything from those two moves.

Lindsey Horan to Leave the Thorns on Loan to French Side Olympique Lyonnais

Horan’s departure is one that will be brutal for fans. Her six years with the Thorns have been extraordinary. She scored the lone goal in their 2017 NWSL Championship victory over the North Carolina Courage. Throughout her career, she was named the NWSL MVP (2018), NWSL Best XI (2018, 2019) and MLS Best XI Second Team (2017, 2021).

She leaves for Olympique Lyonnais after scoring 25 goals for the Thorns, and adding nine assists.

Her move to France will be the second time Horan plays in the Division 1 Féminine. Before joining the Thorns, she played four seasons with Paris Saint-Germain.

“Firstly, I want to thank the Portland organization for supporting me in following a few of my career aspirations, this would not be possible without the club and for that I am forever grateful!” Horan said on Twitter. “I wish the team and my teammates nothing but the best this season!”

Horan’s impact reached further than just Portland. For the United States, she has made 108 caps. Within those 108 appearances, comes 25 goals and 34 assists. Most recently, she was voted as the 2021 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Though she will be with Olympique Lyonnais until June of 2023, she did sign a contract extension with the Thorns through 2025. While she is gone for now, there will be a party in Portland when she returns.

Christine Sinclair Extended

The good news came when Thorns legend Christine Sinclair reached an agreement with the club to keep her in the Rose City through 2022. There is an option for the 2023 season.

This was good news that many hoped for. Sinclair’s legacy in Portland speaks for itself. The Canadian forward leads the Thorns in all-time games played (143), games started (140), minutes played (12,404) and goals (54). Throughout her nine previous seasons with the club, she has helped the Thorns earn plenty of hardware. This includes two NWSL Championships (2013, 2017), the NWSL Fall Series (2020), the NWSL Challenge Cup (2021), the Women’s International Champions Cup (2021) and two NWSL Shields (2016, 2021).

“Sinclair is a player who has proudly represented the Thorns organization since day one of the NWSL,” Thorns Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “Her ability to maintain the very top professional standard for as long as she has, her understanding of the game, her finishing ability, and her leadership make her a player we could not be prouder to have represent us.”

Sinclair has scored 31 goals in 62 appearances for her country. More recently, Sinclair led Canada to win the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, including a goal in their opening match against Japan.

 

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Boureille
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

ICYMI: Celeste Boureille to leave the Thorns

by John Rustik
written by John Rustik

Earlier Wednesday morning midfielder Celeste Boureille informed the Thorns that she would not be returning for the 2022 season. The 27-year-old was out of contract and will not be renewing another deal to remain in Portland. While her new club has yet to be determined, she will be continuing her career at an undetermined European-based club.

“My time as a Thorn has been an amazing rewarding experience and I have loved every second of it,” Boureille said on Twitter on Monday. “Thank you to the entire Portland organization for giving me this unforgettable opportunity since day one as a pro. With that being said, it’s time to explore a new part of the world.”

Boureille has been a member of the Thorns club since 2016.  She made 66 appearances with the team and 50 starts. Throughout her career, she helped Portland win the NWSL Championship in 2017. She also contributed to winning the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

With Boureille leaving the club, it has left a spot for Hina Sugita to make an impact. Sugita, who was signed by the Thorns Wednesday afternoon, will be looking to make her impact for the 2022 season.

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Hina Sugita
Portland ThornsPortland Thorns

Thorns sign midfielder Sugita Hina

by John Rustik
written by John Rustik

The Portland Thorns have signed Hina Sugita to a three-year contract. On Wednesday, the Thorns twitter officially welcomed the Japanese midfielder to the Rose City. The Thorns signed her with allocation money. Pending her P-1 visa and International Transfer certificate, she will join the Thorns for the 2022 season.

Prior to the Thorns acquisition, Sugita played with INAC Kobe Leonessa. Over the seven years she spent with her previous club, she tallied ten goals in 57 appearances. She was included in the Best XI in 2019. In her time with INAC Kobe Leonessa, she helped to win the Empress Cup twice (2015, 2016) and finished in second in the Nadeshiko League Division I in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. This season, she has made nine appearances and scored one goal.

For her country, she has earned 27 caps and has scored two goals. She has represented Japan in various competitions including; the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup. In the 2016 tournament, she received the Golden Ball as the most valuable player.

At 24 years old, she will bring more quality and depth to the Thorns midfield.

“Hina is a playmaker with the ability to play across multiple positions,” Thorns coach Rhian Wilkinson said. “She plays with bravery on the ball always looking for opportunities to be dangerous. She sees passes others do not see. Her on-field vision, creativity, and ball control are traits that allow her to find a way out of tight positions to break open opposing teams.”

 

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aljaz-ivacic
Portland Timbers

Timbers re-sign goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

The Portland Timbers have re-signed goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

 

Ivacic, 28, has mostly held a backup role with the Timbers. He made 12 appearances for T2 in 2019 and has only seven first-team appearances (two in 2020, five in 2021).

 

Ivacic joined the club in 2019 — moving from NK Olimpija in his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia — for a $240k transfer fee (per Transfermarkt). He had leg surgery upon arriving in Portland, according to a report from Jamie Goldberg at The Oregonian.

Ivacic is expected to compete for the starting goalkeeper role alongside David Bingham following the departure of Steve Clark. Portland still have Jeff Attinella under contract, but he is expected to leave the club. Ivacic made $235k last season, per MLSPA.

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david-bingham
Portland Timbers

Timbers sign goalkeeper David Bingham

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

The Portland Timbers have signed MLS veteran goalkeeper David Bingham.

 

Bingham, 32, is expected to compete for the starting goalkeeper position with Aljaz Ivacic following the departure of Steve Clark. As of Jan. 12, Portland have not re-signed Ivacic and still have Jeff Attinella under contract.

 

Bingham trained with the Timbers throughout 2021 but never saw the pitch. He was listed as earning the Senior Minimum Salary ($81,375) in 2021 via MLSPA.

Bingham spent six seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes (2011-13, 2015-17) before moving to the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2018, where he spent three seasons. He has 179 career MLS starts, including a 1.52 goals against per 90 minutes average and a 68.7 save percentage.

Bingham struggled in 2020 (18 starts, 1.94 GA/90, 61.0 save %) following arguably his best season in 2019 (33 starts, 1.67 GA/90, 73.2 save %).

Bingham is the fifth addition of the offseason for the Timbers, joining MLS Homegrown signing Tega Ikoba and three MLS SuperDraft picks.

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Justin Rasmussen was selected 27th overall by the Portland Timbers in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft
Portland Timbers

Timbers select Justin Rasmussen in MLS SuperDraft

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

The Portland Timbers selected Justin Rasmussen with the 27th pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.

The 23-year-old Rasmussen spent five years at Grand Canyon University before entering the SuperDraft. He played midfield for much of his college career before moving to the left wing back role in a back three, according to a profile by SBI’s Larry Henry Jr.

Rasmussen made 20 appearances in 2021, logging nine goals and six assists under a new head coach. He will likely play a backup role with the Timbers in 2022.

Portland also selected defenders Julian Bravo (Santa Clara) with the 55th overall pick and Sivert Haugli (Virginia Tech) 83rd overall.

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Tega Ikoba via Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers

Timbers sign Tega Ikoba to MLS Homegrown contract

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

The Portland Timbers announced the signing of 18-year-old forward Tega Ikoba to an MLS Homegrown contract today. 

Ikoba is Portland’s first signing of 2022.

The club’s Richard Farley hinted at the move on Twitter yesterday.

Ikoba has been training with the Timbers’ first team for a while now, famously racing other players and being crowned “fastest on the team” in an online video. He appeared in preseason games with the first team in March 2021.

Ikoba is 6’4″ and 198 lbs. He will likely be the third striker behind Felipe Mora and Jarosław Niezgoda.

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Portland Timbers

Sebastian Blanco set to leave Portland Timbers

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastián Blanco will leave the club, according to reports from TyC Sports’ Juli Michels on Sunday, Jan. 2.

Blanco, who will turn 34 in March 2022, made 148 appearances for Portland since joining the club in 2017. His contract expired at the end of the 2021 season. The club was working on re-signing Blanco as soon as the offseason began.

Blanco posted a foreboding message on his Instagram story earlier in the day.

According to Micheles’ report, the Timbers were close to reaching an agreement before it fell through. Blanco may land somewhere else in MLS, where he’s been prolific for the past five seasons.

If the report is true, Portland will have an open Designated Player roster spot heading into 2022.

** 1/2/22 update **

ESPN’s Taylor Twellman has added more context to the Blanco situation.

As with Diego Valeri a few years ago, the Timbers are looking to sign a former DP to a targeted allocation money-level deal. 

** another 1/2/22 update **

Area Sports Network has confirmed the report and added a little more context. Apparently negotiations for a three-year deal were different than what the contract read.

The same account replied to that above tweet saying:

“From the player’s side, they express total surprise, and this week they will begin to evaluate options, always with MLS as the main option.”

Looks like the deal blindsided Blanco’s camp and that he could be on the move to somewhere else in MLS. 

** another 1/2/22 update **

Timbers owner Merritt Paulson weighs in on the situation, saying “we expect to keep him” on Instagram.

This statement might quiet the rumors a bit because Paulson has to be aware of the smoke from earlier today (see above). If MP has this kind of confidence after everything from earlier, maybe that’s a good sign.

** 1/3 update **

Paulson has deleted the above comment. Maybe he’s backtracking a bit?

** 1/4 update **

A report from El Espectador says Blanco is being pursued by Boca Juniors.

This is probably leverage-building by Blanco’s camp. Releasing these reports is commonplace in a situation where a player’s value is in question. Whether or not this interest from Boca is legitimate, it can help drive up Blanco’s value in negotiations with MLS teams.

This article may be updated with further information.

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Portland Timbers

Timbers Rumors: Van Rankin, Mabiala, and a new face?

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

It’s been a relatively quiet week along the Timbers rumor mill thus far. That’ll certainly heat up as the shortest offseason ever gets going.

But for those who’ve been too busy stuffing their faces during the holidays (totally understandable), here’s what you may have missed…

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Portland Timbers

Steve Clark signs with Houston Dynamo FC

by Charlie Folkestad
written by Charlie Folkestad

Former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark has signed a free agent contract with Houston Dynamo FC. Dynamo Insider first broke the news this morning before its confirmation by Tom Bogert.

Clark announced his departure from Portland yesterday via Instagram and paid his final respects to the club today. The Dynamo made their announcement official today as well.

Clark’s Timbers legacy

Clark logged 26 clean sheets in 92 total appearances across six different competitions for the Timbers after joining the club midway through the 2018 season. Houston will be his fourth MLS stop — Columbus (where he infamously lost to Portland in MLS Cup 2015), D.C. United, Portland, and now Houston.

Clark will be remembered as a solid goalkeeper for a club which has boasted some of the league’s best since joining MLS in 2011. Donovan Ricketts, Adam Kwarasey, and even Jeff Attinella have played massive roles in some of MLS’ best teams.

Portland’s back line was one of the worst in MLS for much of 2021. Despite this, Clark often saved the Timbers’ skins down the stretch. He played a crucial role in bringing Portland to MLS Cup despite a tough showing in the final itself.

Clark finished second in save percentage (78.2%) among MLS goalkeepers in 2021. He graded out well in advanced stats, too: Clark’s post-shot expected goal plus-minus (+4.1) was fourth in the league this season.

Clark was one of the league-high five goalkeepers used by the Timbers in 2021; along with Aljaz Ivacic, Logan Ketterer, Jeff Attinella, and Hunter Sulte.

Roster impact

This is a logical move from a roster management perspective. No team needs four goalkeepers. Portland already has Attinella and Sulte signed for next season and are in discussions with Ivacic.

Attinella is a clear capable No. 1 ‘keeper if he’s healthy. The other two still seem a little rough around the edges, but they’ll work in a pinch.

Ultimately, this is a money move. Clark is 35 already and it probably didn’t take much for Houston to outbid the Timbers for him.

 

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