With the MLS Super Draft rapidly approaching, it’s time to take a quick look at who the Portland Timbers might target in Thursday’s draft. This year’s draft class is far from one of the best MLS has seen, something I wrote about recently (The MLS Super Draft Is Not So Super). That said, there are some talented players, and Portland seems to have sorted out their first team issues, so they likely won’t be looking for players who can make an immediate impact, but players who can provide depth or help fill out the Timbers 2 roster for USL-Pro and develop for the future.
There’s two positions, realistically, that are of most need for the Timbers. While they upgraded at the CB position by bringing in Liam Ridgewell as a DP last season and picking up Nat Borchers from Real Salt Lake this offseason, Portland could still use some depth at the position and some youth. Norberto Paparatto will be the Timbers third CB heading into the season, but if Portland could land a young CB with a high ceiling that would be ideal.
The other area of need for Portland is central midfield. Again, the starting positions are locked down. Diego Chara has been a starter in the middle for years, and Ben Zemanski will no doubt be his midfield partner until Will Johnson returns from injury. Here again someone who can provide some depth farther down the roster and maybe even be first choice for T2 and develop for the future would be ideal.
Portland holds the 5th pick in the draft as well as three second round picks. Don’t be surprised if Portland trades one or more of their second round picks, but then again don’t be surprised if they use all of them as they work to fill out the T2 roster with players who could contribute to the Timbers first team in the future.
Here’s five players I think Portland might take or should take with the 5th pick in this year’s MLS Super Draft
Conor Donovan, CB, NC State – Donovan has been part of the US youth national team setup for years and is currently with the U-20 team at the CONCACAF U-20 Championships. He’s only 19, having played just one year at NC State, where he had one goal and one assist in 15 appearances. Donovan is a Generation Adidas signing, and Portland has shown a tendency to target GA signings in recent drafts. Donovan would likely be more of a signing for the future than depth for this year, but nobody wants to have to use their fourth CB anyways.
Tim Parker, CB, St. John’s – Parker would bring more experience than Donovan, having been a four year starter at St. John’s. He’s reportedly a tough and strong defender who scouts say has the attributes to transition well to MLS. At the MLS combine Parker tested as the fastest CB in attendance, and he’s seen by many as a safer prospect than some who may have more potential but also more risk. Parker’s experience and perceived readiness could make him an attractive option if Portland envisions needing to give minutes to their selection with the 5th pick.
Nick Besler, CM, Notre Dame – The younger brother of USMNT and SKC CB Matt Besler, Nick is a smart player who reads the game well. He appears to be one of the more pro-ready players in the draft, and could provide much needed depth at CM for the Timbers.
Fatai Alashe, CDM, Michigan State – Alashe is a former Timbers U-23 player who actually played for the Timbers U-23 in the first ever MLS Homegrown Game leading up to the All-Star game in 2014. He’s an athletic player who is strong on the ball and looks ready to contribute as a rookie. Given his ties to the Timbers this pick would make a lot of sense and he would provide much needed depth early in the year as Will Johnson works his way back from injury.
Alex Bono, GK, Syracuse – This one is a bit of a wildcard. Bono is rated as the best available goalkeeper in what is actually a very good class for GKs. Bono has been called up to Jurgen Klinsmann’s January USMNT camp and is a Generation Adidas signing. While this pick would surprise me if it actually happened, it makes some sense. Portland needs a backup to new GK signing Adam Kwarasey. While Andrew Weber and Jake Gleeson are still around, Weber proved in 2014 that he’s not good enough to be an MLS GK, and it remains to be seen if the Timbers front office believes Gleeson can eventually be a starter. I wouldn’t bet on this pick, but again, it could be a sneaky good pick up.
So who will the Timbers actually draft? My best guess would be Donovan because of the Generation Adidas status. Depending on what happens with the CBA, Portland could face salary cap constraints due to the loss of CONCACAF Champions League allocation money they received in 2014 but will not get in 2015. Whether or not they are up against the cap, drafting a young player with a high ceiling and not having him count against the cap is only a good thing. That said, this is MLS, so nothing at all should be a surprise.
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