Since hoisting the MLS Cup in Columbus last month, the Portland Timbers have enjoyed a relatively quiet offseason.
They've seen Will Johnson, Maximiliano Urruti and Jorge Villafaña leave, and brought in just one addition in former Columbus Crew SC defender Chris Klute.
But on Friday, Goal.com reported that the MLS Cup winners are set to snare two players that will, at the very least, add some depth to the squad.
One is Ned Grabavoy, a 12-year MLS veteran who spent 2015 with New York City FC. He would be joining the team through free agency as he met the requirements of being 28 years old and having at least eight years of MLS experience.
The other is Zarek Valentin, who would be returning to MLS after spending the past three years in Norway with Bodo Glimt. Valentin, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, spent the 2011 season with Chivas USA and 2012 with the Montreal Impact. He made 40 appearances over the two years, collecting one goal and one assist.
Grabavoy would represent an versatile piece in a PTFC midfield that has seen Johnson leave for Toronto FC. He was a key contributor for Real Salt Lake over their many years of contention, racking up 159 appearances over six seasons with the club (2009-14). He has a total of 17 goals and 31 assists in 279 appearances across his lengthy MLS career.
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Valentin is an experienced fullback, who is also capable of playing center back. His presence would be much needed after the Timbers have seen Villafaña, Norberto Paparatto and Jeanderson depart this offseason. The Timbers did pick veteran center back Jermaine Taylor in the Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft, but he remains unsigned.
Timbers head coach Caleb Porter knows Valentin well, as the 24-year-old attended Akron University for two seasons while Porter was the coach there. The two helped the Zips bring home the 2010 NCAA Championship. Porter also called Valentin in to the US U-23 side that failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
Are these good additions for the Timbers? Let us know in the comments below.
