A big day for the Portland Timbers in today’s 2022 SuperDraft with three defenders selected, the Rose City side is looking forward to developing these players’ skills and maybe one day making the leap one day to the big team. As many state that defense wins games, this one thing the Timbers are looking forward to building up in these rookie players in molding their skills and abilities and seeing their careers grow one day for the better.
Still, the Portland Timbers youth development system hopefully is taking a turn for the best with the creation of the new MLS development league that maybe can mold and prepare players. Some of the league’s most prolific teams such as FC Dallas is seen as a model in all its player development programs in all of MLS.
As the Texas side is becoming a player creation haven for many European teams, can the Timbers follow suit and start working on a similar model? Hey, maybe one day this can bring much-desired profits and a reputable name around the league and maybe several top-rated leagues.
Anyway, in today’s SuperDraft the Timbers selected three defenders and saw a Homegrown player ink his name to play next season in Providence Park. How long will these prospects’ careers last and make the desired impact many of us are expecting from them?
The names of these new Timbers are Justin Rasmussen from Grand Canyon University, Julian Bravo from Santa Clara University, and Sivert Haugin from Virginia Tech University.
Justin Rasmussen is a 23-year-old, 6’0 defender with an impressive resume under his belt.
- WAC offensive Player of the year as a fifth-year senior in 2021
- The third team All- America, being the first in Grand Canyon University history
- In the 2021 season, he scored nine goals and six assists in 20 games
- He was under Head Coach in GCU for former Timbers and U of Portland Leonard Griffin
Julian Bravo with 21 years old and 6 foot 2 and with a lot of positives in his collegiate career.
- Back in 2019, the man as a sophomore led the team in points in 16 matches scoring a total of (3 goals, two assists)
- In 2020 he averaged eight starts in a shortened campaign with 730 minutes played
- Started in 15 out of 16 games for the Broncos in his final senior season (fall 2021)
Sivert Haugli is a 22-year-old player with a whopping 6- foot- 5 from Norway.
- In his four years in Blacksburg, he was an indisputable starter
- He finished his Hokies career with four goals and three assists in 72 games in his senior year
- Named United States Soccer Coaches Player of the Week after a brace he had in a match against Marshall on August 29, 2021.
- Spent his youth career at Norwegian clubs Snaroeva SK, Stabaek Football, and Baerum SK.
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
Portland Timbers
