Andres Flores playing an important role in Portlands attack (Photo by Diego G Diaz/ProstAmerika).
All of a sudden for Andres Flores becoming an undisputed starter in Portland’s initial eleven. Soon after Giovanni Savarese’s appointment as the Portland Timbers new manager one of the first names that came to his mind was of Andres. The Salvadorean native comes with an impressive and lauded CV from a meteoric career. In the international side, he has been with his national team ever since he was fifteen years old.
Another notable is playing aboard after his formative years in his country top club Isidro Metapan. Flores also played in the Danish league briefly with Viborg FF and then later moved on to the NASL with the New York Cosmos.
In the Big Apple, he was a part of those unstoppable Cosmos under the helm of Gio Savarese. Here the men won a couple of shields in the Soccer Bowls in 2015 and 2016. In additon in El Salvador with his squad AD Isidro Metapan he has earned four shields and a runner up in Central Americas top club competition. Currently in the Timbers squad, Flores has earned six complete starts in thirteen games played averaging 631 minutes.
Thus far he has worked mostly in in the defensive midfield with Cristhian Paredes and his leading man Diego Chara. That is not exactly the easiest position to be a newcomer and get minutes with. Yet he has adapted rapidly to his new surroundings. Under manager Savarese he has been a quick fit in in his game plan and showed off his immense athletic and technical skills in every game. Playing defensively or offensively Andres is a dynamo for the Timbers and never quits during the ninety minute timeframe.
The question arises when Andy Polo and David Guzman make their return from the World Cup performances whether he will keep that spot. Flores has earned a permanent spot in every match he plays with such perfection. On defense or in the attack offensively he has become an important part of the Timbers success in the campaign. It will be tough for Guzman to get his starting job back with such competition from Paredes, Olum and especially Flores. That is the risk that players face when they go away to their national team under MLS’ current structure.
The Portland Timbers with Andres Flores have struck gold though. All of his accomplishments in his career are a great reference point for what he can accomplish both this season and in the years ahead. For this season at least though supporters should have little doubt he will continue to deliver us his one of a kind football.
MLS Western
Portland
