Tag Archives: Portland Timbers

Lionel Messi Wins Major League Soccer’s MVP Award

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Lionel Messi is officially the man in Major League Soccer…

The 37-year-old Argentine professional footballer Inter Miami and the Argentina national team has been named winner of the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the 2024 MLS season.

Lionel Messi Messi beat out the Columbus Crew‘s Cucho Hernández, the Portland Timbers’ Evander, Christian Benteke from D.C. United and his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez.

Messi won thanks to his 20 goals and 16 appearances in just 19 matches.

He joins Carlos Vela in 2019 (LAFC, 34 goals, 15 assists) and Sebastian Giovinco in 2015 (Toronto FC, 22 goals, 16 assists) as the only players in league history with at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season.

The MVP award is determined by a poll that includes players, club technical staff and selected members of the media.

Messi received 38.43% of the votes averaged compared to second-place finisher Benteke (33.70%).

This was his first full season with the club, having joined in July 2023.

MLS commissioner Don Garber made the announcement on Friday alongside Inter Miami Academy students and Messi’s three sons in a video.

“Truly, it is an honor for me to receive this award from all of you,” Messi said to the Academy players. “It’s a source of pride to watch you all train. I’m very happy to be here every day. I’m very happy to be in this city, in this Club that is growing. It’s a pleasure to see you grow day by day. I invite you to keep fighting and striving for your dreams.”

Lionel Messi Named Finalist for Major League Soccer’s 2024 MLS MVP Award

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Lionel Messi is in the running for Major League Soccer’s highest player award.

The 37-year-old Argentine professional footballer has been named a finalist for the 2024 MLS MVP award, joining his Inter Miami CF teammate Luis Suárez, as well as Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernández, Portland Timbers’ Evander and D.C. United’s Christian Benteke on the list.Lionel Messi Each player met the new qualifying regulations that require a minimum of 1,000 minutes played in the regular season campaign.

Messi earned his second nomination for the award since joining MLS in July 2023. Though the forward failed to win the award last season, he’s being considered the leading candidate in 2024 after contributing 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games. 

Despite concerns over his lack of participation throughout the 34-match campaign, playing only 55% of games, teammate Jordi Alba has insisted that Messi must win MVP.

“Regarding Leo, I repeat myself, every time you ask me, I think he deserves all the awards they can give him, I think he is the best player in the world, with a lot of intensity compared to the rest and until he retires,” he said on Friday. “I’m sure he’ll win the MVP and if he doesn’t win it, well, it’s no longer anyone’s decision, it’s the people who vote but hey, for me he’s the best.”

Messi’s contributions in 2024 propelled Inter Miami to lift the Supporters’ Shield and set the new league record for most points recorded in a single season.

Suárez, on the other hand, has recorded 20 goals and nine assists in 27 games in his first MLS season after joining Inter Miami in December 2023. He also stands as a finalist for Newcomer of the Year.

The forward adjusted quickly, tying for second place on the Golden Boot rankings with Messi and Dénis Bouanga. Together, Messi and Suárez account for 40 of the team’s 79 goals this season.

Benteke won the Golden Boot with 23 goals this season, but his D.C. United team failed to make the MLS Playoffs, while Evander impressed in the Western Conference with15 goals and 19 assists before the Timbers fell 5-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in Wednesday’s wild-card match.

Hernández, the reigning MLS Cup MVP, propelled the Columbus Crew to second place on the Eastern Conference table with 19 goals and 14 assists.

Other award finalists include: Chris Armas (Colorado Rapids), Gerardo “Tata” Martino (Inter Miami CF) and Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew) for Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year.

Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati), Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy) and Suárez (Inter Miami CF) were announced for MLS Newcomer of the Year, and Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew) and Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders FC) for Defender of the Year.

North Carolina FC’s Adrian Pelayo to Sign with Chivas

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Adrian Pelayo is headed south of the border…

The 18-year-old Mexican soccer player and North Carolina FC defender is set to sign with Chivas, per ESPN sources.

Adrian Pelayo,The deal for Pelayo is almost complete, with paperwork to be finalized in the next few days.

Pelayo joins the Liga MX powerhouse from the USL Championship, playing with North Carolina FC since arriving as a free agent in 2023.

The defender previously formed part of the Portland Timbers academy, working with the MLS first team during training camp before the 2023 Major League Soccer season and the Timbers 2 MLS Next Pro team.

Internationally, Pelayo stands as a triple-nationality figure with eligibility to represent the United States, Argentina and Mexico. He has featured in both American and Mexican youth camps, but most recently represented El Tri in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in November 2023.

The defender started the match against Germany, standing alongside Luis Navarrete, Javen Romero and Jose Suárez in the backline.

Pelayo will become the latest multiple-nationality figure to represent Chivas, following the footsteps of Mexican-American Cade Cowell.

The player will initially work with Chivas de Guadalajara‘s affiliate team C.D Tapatío in the Liga de Expansion before joining the senior team.

Portland Timbers Acquire Jonathan Rodríguez from Club America

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Jonathan Rodríguez is headed to the Pacific Northwest.

The 30-year-old Uruguayan soccer player, known by his nickname Cabecita, will play for the Portland Timbers.

Jonathan RodríguezThe Portland team reached an agreement with Club América to acquire Rodriguez, who trained with Club América’s U-23 squad on Monday while finalizing a four-year designated player deal with the Timbers.

He’s expected to travel to Portland later this week.

According to sources, the clubs have had an agreement in place for a $6 million transfer fee for the Uruguayan striker since last Friday.

Rodríguez didn’t travel with the team to Guadalajara last week for the 3-0 victory over Chivas in the National Clasico — part of the Concacaf Champions Cup — and was not at América’s victory over Tigres UANL last Sunday.

The striker has been productive for América this season, scoring nine goals and adding three assists across all competitions. Before signing with ‘Aguilas‘, Rodríguez had previously played in Liga MX for Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul.

In 2022, Rodríguez moved to the Saudi Pro League to play with Al Nassr where he appeared in eight games and scored one goal in six months, before returning to Mexico.

Rodríguez, who debuted with the Uruguay national team in 2014, earned a call-up for his national team under manager Marcelo Bielsa in 2023 after a two-year absence that included the 2022 World Cup.

Cucho Hernandez Named MLS Cup MVP After Leading Columbus Crew Past Defending MLS Cup Champions Los Angeles FC

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Cucho Hernandez has helped dethrone the reigning champions…

The 24-year-old Colombian professional footballer scored a goal to help the Columbus Crew defeat Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Saturday to give his team their third MLS Cup and earn this year’s MLS Cup MVP award.

Cucho HernandezTwo of those titles have come in the last four seasons. Columbus advanced to the 2015 title game but lost to the Portland Timbers. The LA Galaxy‘s five titles are still the most for a Major League Soccer franchise.

Saturday’s win capped the Crew’s impressive turnaround this season. After winning the 2020 MLS Cup, Columbus missed the playoffs the next two seasons. The franchise has since undergone significant changes, including the hiring of Wilfried Nancy as the team’s head coach.

Hernandez scored in the 33rd minute, putting Columbus up 1-0 on a penalty kick. He deposited the ball in the lower left corner for his fifth goal in six playoff matches this season. LAFC defender Diego Palacios was whistled for a handball off his right arm at the top of the box, setting up the penalty.

Yaw Yeboah added a goal in the 37th minute, doubling Columbus’ lead when Malte Amundsen threaded a pass through to Yeboah on the left flank. From there, Yeboah dribbled to the goal box and slipped a shot past goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

The objective for the Crew in the second half was to avoid the same fate as FC Cincinnati a week earlier in the Eastern Conference final. Columbus rallied in that game from a two-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes of regulation and won 3-2 in extra time.

LAFC’s Bouanga made it 2-1, scoring on his own rebound after Patrick Schulte made a save at the left post in the 74th minute. Bouanga, who led the MLS with 20 goals, has 38 goals in 49 matches in all competitions this year.

Earlier this year, Hernandez was named to the MLS Best XI, an annual acknowledgment of the best eleven players in Major League Soccer. The selection is determined by a collection of media, players and MLS club technical staffs.

Luciano Acosta Named 2023 Major League Soccer MVP

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Luciano Acosta is Major League Soccer’s all-star player of the year…

The 29-year-old Argentine professional footballer and FC Cincinnati midfielder has been named the 2023 MLS MVP, the league has revealed.

Luciano AcostaAcosta received 60.37% of the vote among players, media and technical staff to easily beat LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, who received 14.97%. 

Atlanta United FC‘s Thiago Almada finished third in the voting with 6.46%.

“I’m very proud of this team,” Acosta said in a video produced by the team that was shot when he was told he had won the award. “I think everybody deserves something this year. We deserve more. We have to give it our all. Let’s go.”

He later joked, “I don’t want to go to practice. I won the MVP.”

Acosta, a Buenos Aires, Argentina, native led the league with 31 goal contributions during the regular season, with 17 goals and 14 assists, and helped Cincinnati to their first Supporters Shield.

Cincinnati remains in contention to claim the MLS Cup, as it faces in-state rivals the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final this Saturday.

Acosta is just the sixth player in league history to record three or more seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.

Acosta is the ninth South American-born player to earn the honor and first since Josef Martínez won the award with Atlanta United in 2018.

Other Argentines to win the award are Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers, 2015), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew, 2008), and Christian Gómez (D.C. United, 2006).

Acosta has been a prolific attacking player ever since he entered the league in 2016 with D.C. United, scoring 58 goals and adding 78 assists, the most goal contributions by any player in that span.

Only Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC, last year’s MVP, has made more contributions since Acosta made his Cincinnati debut in 2021.

His 43 regular-season assists since 2021 are the second-most of any MLS player during that time, and only Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro (80) has more regular-season assists than the Cincinnati playmaker since 2016.

Acosta began his professional career with famed Argentine side Boca Juniors, making his professional debut in 2014.

He spent the 2016 campaign on loan with D.C. United before making the move permanent a year later, and went on to score 25 goals in 137 league and cup appearances.

He spent 15 months with Liga MX side Atlas before joining FC Cincinnati.

Diego Valeri Signs One-Day Contract with Portland Timbers to Retire as a Franchise Member

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Diego Valeri is making his way into the ring… 

The 37-year-old Argentine former professional footballer has signed a one-day contract with the Portland Timbers  to retire as a member of the franchise.

Diego ValeriValeri, who spent nine seasons in Portland (2013-21), will be honored during pregame and halftime ceremonies of Saturday’s match against Columbus Crew.

Valeri will be inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor, joining Clive Charles, John Bain, Jimmy Conway, Mick Hoban and Timber Jim.

“When I first came to Portland, the most important thing to me was to honor the club’s history and bring the highest prestige to the Timbers,” Valeri said. “Today, returning to retire a Portland Timber, I feel fulfilled about my journey and adventure with the club and am so thankful for the love the city gave to me.”

Valeri is the Timbers’ all-time leader in regular-season goals scored (86), assists (91) and points (263). He was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2013, MLS Cup MVP in 2015 and Landon Donovan MLS MVP in 2017.

“It is only fitting that Diego Valeri will officially retire a Portland Timber,” owner Merritt Paulson said.

“He gave so much to our club and we can never give back what he has given us. It will be amazing for fans to have the opportunity to recognize Diego publicly Saturday when we induct him into the Ring of Honor.”

https://twitter.com/TimbersFC/status/1679907203258650625

Seattle Sounders FC Acquire Heber from New York City FC

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Heber is sounding off…

Seattle Sounders FC have acquired the 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer from New York City FC on Thursday for at least $400,000 in General Allocation Money.

Heber,NYCFC can receive an additional $150,000 in GAM if certain performance metrics are met. Heber is under contract for 2023 with a club option for 2024.

Heber recorded 24 goals and six assists in 70 matches (38 starts) over the past four seasons for NYCFC.

“I’d like to welcome Heber to Seattle and look forward to seeing him in preseason camp,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said in the news release. “You always need players that can score, and Heber has been goal-dangerous throughout his entire career. I can’t wait for him to get to work with our coaches and his new teammates to add another strong piece to our attacking group.”

Heber spent nine-plus seasons in overseas leagues before joining NYCFC on a permanent transfer from Croatian club NK Rijeka in March 2019. He was an immediate force, scoring 15 regular-season goals in his first MLS campaign.

Heber played in just 12 games in 2020 as he tore the ACL in his right knee during a match against Toronto FC on September 23, 2020. The recovery and rehab process limited him to seven regular-season matches in 2021.

NYCFC won the 2021 MLS Cup, but Heber saw action in just one of the four postseason matches. He did not play in the title-winning match against the Portland Timbers.

Last season, he scored eight goals in 29 matches (nine starts) before NYCFC was eliminated from the playoffs by the Philadelphia Union in the semifinals.

Heber said he was sad to leave NYCFC but eager for a new opportunity.

“I love this Club and this City, since I arrived in 2019, I’ve felt completely at home,” Heber said through NYCFC. “Despite the ups and downs, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here for what we have been able to accomplish as a team. Being able to win trophies for New York City and its amazing fans is something I will always treasure.

“I would like to thank my teammates, the medical team and everyone at the Club for all the support you gave me while I was returning from injury. I couldn’t have done it without you and I now feel as fit and strong as ever. I am excited by the new challenge in Seattle and am very happy to be staying in MLS, which is a league I now love. I will always remember my time in New York very fondly and it will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Portland Timbers Transfer MLS Legend Diego Valeri to Argentina’s Lanús

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Diego Valeri is heading home…

The 35-year-old Argentine professional footballer and Portland Timbers midfielder  is heading home to Argentina.

Diego Valeri

The Portland Timbers have announced an agreement with Lanus for the transfer of the 35-year-old Argentine professional footballer and former Major League Soccer (MLS) MVP.

Lanus plays in Argentina’s top division.

A nine-year veteran of the Timbers, Valeri scored 100 goals and 104 assists in 306 matches across all competitions.

He’s the team regular season leader for both goals (86) and assists (91). Valeri is just the third player in MLS history to reach 80 goals and 80 assists in regular-season play. He was named the MLS Cup‘s Most Valuable Player in 2015 when the Timbers defeated the Columbus Crew for the league championship.

In 2017, he was honored as the league MVP after scoring 21 goals with 11 assists. He was a five-time MLS All-Star and in 2020 was named one of the league’s 25 greatest players.

“I do not believe there has been a more impactful Designated Player signing in the history of MLS than Diego Valeri,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a statement. “He changed what clubs looked for in a DP — not a brand to put fans in the seats and sell sponsorships, but a rising European level talent who chose to make America his home and legacy.”

Valeri also became a beloved member of the Portland community, known for painting playrooms for foster children and jumping into pickup futsal games. Valeri and his family were ardent supporters of the Portland Thorns, the National Women’s Soccer League team. Valeri is a product of the Lanus academy, which he joined at age 9. He went on to play 158 matches with the senior team from 2003-13.

In addition to the transfer, the Timbers and Lanus agreed to a testimonial match in Portland next year, during which Valeri will play a half for each team. Details were not yet announced.

Upon his retirement, Valeri will become an ambassador for the Timbers.

Maximiliano Urruti Signs with Austin FC

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Maximiliano Urruti is heading to Austin…

The 30-year-old Argentine professional footballer has signed with Austin FC.

Maximiliano Urruti “Maxi is a winner with a proven history of scoring goals and creating chances,” sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a club statement. “He’ll help us become more dynamic in the attacking third and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to Austin.”

Urruti was traded to the Houston Dynamo from the Montreal Impact in January 2021, where he ended the season with 7 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances as the Dynamo finished bottom of the Western Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

“I’m very excited for these new beginnings with Austin FC,” said Urruti. “I’m happy to wear these colors and can’t wait to celebrate with all the fans at Q2 Stadium. Vamos Verde y Negro!”

A former FC Dallas player from 2016-18, Urruti is set to become the first player to make appearances for all three Texas clubs in Major League Soccer.

He has also played for Newell’s Old Boys, Toronto FC and Portland Timbers.