The Portland Timbers have signed former Sporting Kansas City right back and MLS free agent Chance Myers. The 29-year-old has made 140 appearances for SKC since he was the first overall SuperDraft pick in 2008.
Portland Timbers Sign Free Agent Defender Chance Myers
He adds some talent and experience to a Timbers back line that showed a lot of holes last season. “Chance is a proven MLS player, and his experience and qualities both on and off the field will help strengthen the club,” said Gavin Wilkinson, Timbers, general manager and president of soccer operations. “His addition reflects a primary objective of ours to bring in starting-caliber players to, in turn, provide more depth within our squad.”
Myers was SKC’s longest tenured player last season, but he only appeared in six games. He hasn’t been a regular starter since the 2013 season, when he scored his only two MLS goals and tallied three assists. the right back spot is firmly occupied by Alvas Powell he doesn’t figure to be a regular starter in Portland either. Although, he does provide some needed full back depth, however.
Other Portland Timbers Transactions
The Timbers also made two other moves on Monday morning. First, they welcomed winger Dairon Asprilla back from his loan with Millonarios in his native Colombia. He scored twice in 16 games during his time there. He was an integral part of the 2015 title run, his first season in the Rose City. He scored a goal and provided three assists during the playoffs.
The Timbers struggled with wing play last season, in part because Asprilla struggled to open the season and was loaned out before he could truly get going. With Lucas Melano no longer in the side, he is in a good spot to slot back into a starting gig out wide.
They also resigned midfielder Amobi Okugo. Okugo arrived in Portland from the Philadelphia Union last May and made three league starts. He also started a pair of CONCACAF Champions League games. Despite being only 25 years old, he has 113 career MLS starts in seven seasons. With Jack Jewsbury retiring, he could serve as a depth option in midfield with the chance to start a handful of matches.
The Timbers open their preseason this week in Tuscon, Arizona on Friday night at 8:30pm eastern time against the New York Red Bulls.
