Timbers to hand Ned Grabavoy permanent CSO role

It has been a tumultuous few years for the two clubs that full under the name 'PTFC'. A variety of off-field issues and scandals have lead to seismic changes both on and off the pitch. Most recently, club executives Mike Golub and Gavin Wilkinson were both relieved of their duties after a recent investigations into the toxic, abusive culture of NWSL.

On the Timbers side of things however, plenty of work remains to rebuild the team's front office. For a start, it has been revealed by MLS insider Tom Bogert that the Timbers are set to name Ned Grabavoy as the club's Chief Soccer Officer. Grabavoy has been interim CSO since October, when Gavin Wilkinson left the club. As stated by Bogert, Grabavoy has been regarded among top No. 2s in MLS, having worked in the Timbers front office since 2017 after a short stint playing for the club.

Grabavoy will be heading up the task of launching the Timbers back up the MLS Western Conference table after a lackluster 2022 campaign in which Gio Savarese's men finished one point outside of MLS Cup Playoffs. As a start, the Timbers have completed the club record signing of 24-year-old Brazilian playmaker Evander from the Danish Superliga.

According to Tom Bogert they won't be stopping there. He revealed this week that PTFC are still working hard to sign a center-forward this offseason. In the 2022 season, the striker position was a headache for Gio Savarese, as Felipe Mora remained on the shelf with a knee injury and DP striker Jaroslaw Niezgoda ran hot and cold in front of goal.

It is now less than two months until the start of the 2023 regular season, as the Timbers look forward to an opening day showdown with Sporting KC at home on February 25th.