So far, the Portland Timbers have appointed their new General Manager in Ned Grabavoy before the start of the 2023 campaign. Before being fully appointed in his position, he delivered with a bomb of a signing in Brazilian winger Evander from the Danish league.
Yes, the man brought a number 10 man to boost the squad attack, but what’s next, as rumors place the Timbers chasing a player from Croatian side Rijeka in a 19-year-old forward by the name of Matija Frigan. Other rumors placed forward Kasper Junker from the J-League’s Urawa Reds, and now the Dane is on out on loan with another team from the J-League.
However, looking forward to a team that doesn’t believe in free agency after letting go a great defender in Aaron Long that went to the league champions LAFC, the Rose City side missed the opportunity to boost its defense.
The need of a defender of the likes of Long to boost the defense is considered its Achilles Heel mostly on its right side with a man that can make a world of difference. Another need to address is the arrival of a center back that can make an impact in the defensive game and become a tutor to Zac McGraw and Justin Rasmussen.
The arrival of defender Juan Mosquera is a promising one and has been making a good impression in his starts, but he cannot be the defender playing all season long and he can be exposed to fatigue and injuries. However, why can’t it be a man from T2 to get the promotion and trust to be Mosquera’s number two man and develop a certain sense of competition?
The need is imperative for the team to make youthful players in Diego Gutierrez and Teka Ikoba to be develop to their full potential as forwards and get more playing time. The extension to Nathan Fogaca to 2023 season, and possibly 2024, sends a message of seeing a possible Brazilian attack in the works for the upcoming season.
Developing the youth is a must and for its future to build up a respectable academy and many should look at this team’s future and take it very seriously. Look at FC Dallas with the league’s best academy and becoming an asset to their investments paying off big!
The Timbers have a couple of forwards in Felipe Mora and Jaroslaw Niezgoda. They only need a creative and mostly dynamic midfield unlike last season. Still, some players delivered and hopefully these make a repeat in 2023.
Why the need to spend money in young players when they have a couple of amazing forwards who can they be developed and given more opportunities as well as minutes in every game so they can develop their game as most overall their confidence?
The need to develop these players sounds easy, but its not. A good trust and confidence booster in these rookies can uplift their best of game and maybe we can see the desired breakthrough with results.
I firmly believe in developing young players for the best of the team and if I sound a little repetitive, don’t mind me, but FC Dallas has made minted coin with a total of nine players playing abroad in several and well renowned European leagues.
Give youth a chance and take the academy seriously in making and developing top class athletes and players that one day this team can sell abroad. Pity with Jeremy Ebobisse that could become the Timbers player that could been sold to Europe.
We don’t need another forward, but another creative winger, a center back, and a defender as well give our two new defenders some time in the field and see their skills in the preseason. Let’s not make one mistake after the other an pay close attention to the development of young players that’s the future of this club as one day can make their breakthrough not only in MLS but in another top class league in the world!
Portland Timbers
