The Portland Timbers finalized with a couple of defenders, in the 2020 Adidas MLS SuperDraft, in the third and fourth rounds.
The Timbers are betting on reinforcing one of its most vulnerable areas–its defense–With Zachary McGraw from Army West Point in the third round at 68th overall and Joergen Oland from Fordham University in the Fourth round in the 94th place overall.
Zachary McGrath, 22, a native of Torrance, California, after making 68 appearances (66 starts) and tallying one goal and nine assists as a four-year starter at Army West Point (2016-19).
He was a four-time First-Team All-Patriot League honoree, starting in 16 matches for the Black Knights during his senior campaign, logging one goal and four assists in 2019. Among other recognitions for McGrath, he earned two USCA First Team all- Northeast Region recognition (2017, 2018) and named USCA third team All-Northeast Region honoree.
Joergen Oland, 22, for the Drammen, Norway native, a four-year starter for Fordham University Rams, he appeared in 76 matches (76 starts), registering 15 goals and three assists in his collegiate career.
In his senior campaign, the man from Norway tallied four goals and one assist in 2019 to earn his second Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Honor (2018, 2019). In addition, Oland twice earned First Team All- Atlantic 10 honors (2018, 2019), played club soccer at Stromsgodet TF in Norway.
The Portland Timbers are betting on one day seeing these two towers reinforcing their defensive backfield with Zac McGraw with an impressive height of 6-4 and Joergen Oland height of 6-2.
Source: Portland Timbers Communications
Photo Credit Fordham University and Portland Timbers FC
