With the Major League Soccer 2023 regular season less than two months away, the Portland Timbers have finally begun their pre-season training. They have kicked things off down in Phoenix, Arizona where they will train and play a friendly against fellow MLS side Sporting KC on January 21. After leaving Arizona, the Timbers will head to Southern California to take part in the Coachella Valley Invitational, where they will square off with LA Galaxy, Tornto FC, and NYCFC across twelve days.
Ahead of the kickoff the preseason friendlies, the Timbers have announced the full squad list that will take part in training camp. Here is how the roster looks...
Goalkeepers: Zack Andoh, Ryan Bilichuk, David Bingham, Aljaz Ivacic, Hunter Sulte
Defenders: Pablo Bonilla, Claudio Bravo, Julian Bravo, Tyler Clegg, Jaden Jones-Riley, Sawyer Jura, Larrys Mabiala, Zac McGraw, Juan David Mosquera, Adrian Pelayo, Justin Rasmussen, Bill Tuiloma, Dario Zuparic
Midfielders: David Ayala, Sebastián Blanco, Noel Caliskan%, Diego Chara, Yimmi Chara, Victor Enriquez, Evander, Marvin Loría, Dawson McCartney, Christian Mendoza, Selmir Misic, Alex Moreno, Santiago Moreno, Joshua Penn, Cristhian Paredes, Ian Shaul, Eryk Williamson
Forwards: Dairon Asprilla, Grayson Carter, Nathan Fogaça, Diego Gutierrez, Tega Ikoba, Felipe Mora, Jaroslaw Niezgoda, Ryan Zellefrow
Recent rumors have suggested that the club will not stop their search for signings to bolster the squad after completing the signing of Brazilian midfielder 24-year-old Evander for a club record fee. Some reports have hinted at the club's desire to bring in a new center-forward, however newly unveiled Timbers CSO did admit that the club is currently facing plenty of obstacles in the transfer market do to salary cap restraints.
The Timbers are slowly running out of time to make the finishing touches to the playing squad, as they will soon shift their focus to opening weekend MLS duties. Sporting KC will come to town on February 25 to get things started in the league season.