There's been a lot of talk leading up to the season about if/when/who the Timbers may sign to fill the Designated Player (DP) roster spot. For the MLS uninitiated, the DP is essentially the 'Beckham Rule' exemption each team has to sign up to 3 players to contracts that exceed the league's per club salary cap and the per player maximum salary of $335K per season. There's a bunch of other stuff involved to make this actually happen, such as Allocation Money, but I'll spare you the minutiae of the business side to focus on what we really want to know. Who are potential candidates to be a 'big name' signing for the Timbers?
In the Timbers Army forum, the buzz has centered around one potential player, Marco Flores, an Argentinian playing for the Australian A-League's Adelaide United. I hadn't heard of him before (I've seen a few A-League matches on Fox Soccer Channel and it seems comparable to the level of play in MLS), but on the basis of this highlight video, he'd definitely bring some flair as an attacking midfielder. And at 25, he's already proven talismanic for his Aussie club, recently picking up the A-League's top individual honor, the Johnny Warren Medal, a first for the player and the club.
Now, I'm all for picking up a talented midfielder, but I'm not sure Flores brings more to the Timbers table than what we already have at his position, such as draft pick Darlington Nagbe. Is it worth spending DP money on a player of Flores's caliber if it's only marginally above the potential of already rostered players? Maybe, maybe not, as Flores has the experience of playing and excelling in a league similar to MLS, but any player switching leagues, much less continents, is going to take time to settle in to his new surroundings and teammates before making the same impact.
We'll have to wait and see what Timbers management decides to do here, but my guess is unless the right player comes along for the right money, we'll be standing pat with our roster and build on the chemistry Timbers manager John Spencer has developed through an unbeaten pre-season. Thus far, picking up MLS and US National Team veterans such as Kenny Cooper, Sal Zizzo, and Jack Jewsbury have proven shrewd acquisitions, and it's more likely the Timbers stick with a lineup balanced between capable experience and hungry up and comers.
That said, I won't let that stop me from speculating on foreign stars that I believe could step in today and make the Timbers transform from an expansion team playing on guts and hope into a formidable contender for a playoff spot in their inaugural MLS season. Here's two that I'd love to see sport Timbers green:
1) Juan Roman Riquelme- After a successful spell at Spanish Primera Liga's Villareal and an instrumental role in Argentina's 2006 World Cup run, Riquelme returned home to Boca Juniors, where he's played a key role, albeit somewhat diminished in the current season. At 33, Riquelme still has life in his legs yet, and the great thing about him is there's no concern over him losing pace with age, as he never really had any to begin with. Riquelme's strength is in his tight control and pinpoint distribution, which he has in spades. If former DP's such as Columbus's Guillermo Barros Schelotto or Chicago's Cuauhtemoc Blanco could be stars in this league late in their careers, Riquelme would be an absolute pearl, giving the Timbers a world class star with the ability to dictate match tempo and impose his will on the opposition. Gate draw? Let's just say if any of the excitement of the Timbers first season starts to wane, the Hispanic community will easily fill any void in support with Riquelme involved. Chances of landing him? Unlikely, unless the Timbers are willing to splash the cash.
2) Ryan Giggs- At 37, and having just signed on for another year of service to Manchester United, this is admittedly a pipe dream to bring in one of the world's most durable and skilled wingers. Giggs has spent 20 years in Manchester United's first team, and is still an instrumental part of their success, starting most matches and coming off the bench in others to provide a spark late on. For the Timbers, Giggs could shift to a more central midfield role, providing a level of skill and experience unmatched in any league. Too old, perhaps? After 800+ appearances and still going strong, Giggs is simply a physical phenom that could conceivably play well into his 40's and put lads half his age to shame as he nutmegs them with regularity. Gate draw? Giggs may not be as flashy a name as Beckham, but the Welshman's ability and skill are far superior and will win over even the casual fan with his ability to influence a match in the run of play, not simply on set pieces and the occasional cross. Chances of landing him? Slim to none, too likely to retire once he finally calls time on his Man U career.
We may not see more activity before the season starts on March 19th at Colorado, but the MLS transfer window doesn't close until March 31st, so there's hope yet. The mid-season transfer window is August 15th-September 15th, my bet is if Portland is in contention for a playoff spot that late in the season, owner Merritt Paulson will loosen the purse strings and bring in a big name to take Portland to the next level.
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