The Portland Timbers are addressing some of its needs for this upcoming 2022 season as defender Josecarlos Van Rankin is back with the Rose City side tackling the need in their defensive backfield.
Both Timbers and Van Rankin agreed on extending his loan through the summer with the team to exercise its option to extend the loan to the remainder of the season per the team announcement. Also, the Portland side has the option to make it into a permanent transfer from Liga MX side Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara.
Van Rankin will occupy an international slot on the Timbers roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa. Per the words of the club general manager and president of soccer Gavin Wilkinson, he lauded the collaboration between the Rose City side and Deportivo Guadalajara to make this operation a reality.
Somehow the Timbers have their man to the front in what looks to be another contested 2022 season where many teams are arming themselves to become top-rated contenders.
Van Rankin, 28, is back with the Timbers after spending the 2021 season in Portland. In his first year in the MLS, the Mexican international logged 27 starts in 33 appearances in the regular season. Van Rankin tallied three assists for the Timbers, all of which helped Portland earn three victories in the regular season (LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo FC, LAFC).
As many states that defense wins games, the Portland Timbers have fulfilled this area with the return of Josecarlos Van Rankin and again looking forward to defending their Western Conference championship.
This is the current state of the Portland Timbers 2022 Roster as of Feb. 8:
Goalkeepers: David Bingham, Aljaz Ivacic, Hunter Sulte, Justin Vom Steeg
Defenders: Pablo Bonilla, Claudio Bravo, Larrys Mabiala, Zac McGraw, Bill Tuiloma, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Dario Zuparic
Midfielders: David Ayala, Blake Bodily, Diego Chara, Yimmi Chara, George Fochive, Marvin Loría, Santiago Moreno, Cristhian Paredes, Andy Polo, Eryk Williamson
Forwards: Dairon Asprilla, Tega Ikoba, Felipe Mora, Jaroslaw Niezgoda
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
Portland Timbers