Photo Credit Major League Soccer and Portland Timbers FC
One thing for sure is that Ned Gravaboy is delivering and becoming a stand out in his position in making the Portland Timbers as an all-around contender and showing his moves in today’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
The Rose City side made some notable selections today selecting a couple of defenders, adding a goalie, but making as its number one selection an attacking midfielder.
So far, the Portland Timbers in last draft had selected the likes of defenders Justin Rasmussen as their number one pick, followed by Julian Bravo and Sivert Haugli, the latter one being loaned to Phoenix Rising.
Both Haugli and Bravo are currently on T2, the Timbers reserve squad and academy development team. In this edition of MLS SuperDraft, the Timbers had the chance to select four players and with a lot of future ahead of them.
Still, many questions come to play and important role of why some of these prospects aren’t develop to their fullest potential as well develop their skills and looking forward of this team founding an academy to prepare these players.
With the Portland Timbers selecting as their number one pick in the 15th round they got Loyola Marymount University midfielder Noel Caliskan a position very much desired for the team and to develop this player skills.
Photo Credit Major League Soccer and Portland Timbers FC
Second came a goalie by the name of Ryan Bilichuck from Elon University selected as the 44th pick, age 22, From Dayton University came a defender, an area of much need to address for the team. This player’s name is Jaden Jones- Riley, with 21 years of age. Selected 73rd overall and last pick coming from James Madison University and selected 85th in Tyler Clegg with 22 years of age.
Not bad for a day’s work, but how long will these players have to wait for their big opportunity if they can make an impact in the preseason and maybe seize a spot in the big team come opening day.
Justin Rasmussen got his chance, but lacked more time in the field to obtain that confidence and focus he much needed, despite some games showing potential and at times making some unimpressive moves. In the end, the team needs to go in the right direction of developing players and making a top-of-the-line academy.
One of the academies I admire is the FC Dallas’s with a good number of players moving on to European leagues and not to mention the Timbers’ Cascadia foe, the Vancouver Whitecaps being a team that has become a creator of great players.
Can the Portland Timbers create an academy such as the teams above mentioned? The sale of players abroad will bring much needed money to the team coffers and especially if these are sold to a team in Europe.
Photo Credit Major League Soccer and Portland Timbers FC
Portland Timbers
