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Timbers sign Nagbe and three others to contract extensions

DiegoChara2-FCDallas (PortlandTimbers)

By DAN KARELL

The Portland Timbers are riding an impressive 15-match unbeaten streak in MLS play, and several of the play players behind that successful run have decided to stick around or a while.

The Timbers announced on Monday that forward Darlington Nagbe, midfielders Kalif Alhassan and Diego Chara, and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had all signed new contracts with the team, keeping a talented core of players around for future seasons.

Nagbe, the team’s first pick of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, is second on the Timbers with five goals so far this season. Chara, the Timbers first ever designated player signing, has contributed three assists this season, as has Alhassan. Ricketts, who joined the Timbers this offseason, has recorded eight clean sheets in 16 games and has just one loss this season.

The announcement comes just days after the club announced the acquisition of Jamaican national team defender Alvas Powell. The 18-year-old right back has joined the team on loan from Portmore United. Sources have confirmed to SBI that Powell’s move is a two-year loan deal, with an option for a third year. The Timbers also have a purchase option on the young defender, who started for Jamaica in recent World Cup qualifying matches, including the team’s 2-1 loss to the United States.

What do you think of these moves? Excited to see these players committing long-term to the Timbers?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. A couple months ago I said, “Ricketts is looking more and more like 2010-2011 Ricketts.” Now it’s looking like he’ll surpass his Supporter’s Shield-winning performances. He definitely deserves an extension, and probably a raise.

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  2. Love what Nagbe, Chara and Rickets all has done in Caleb’s system, but Khalif had been totally out of place this yr. We need to focus on keeping Wallace, he has been fabulous on the left wing. Love the moves though. PTFC

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  3. As much as we would lime to forget 2012, Ricketts joined us midseason. It could be argued that he is a different man this season.

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  4. If you are Nagbe, playing in that stadium with those fans, on a young and coming team – why would you leave except to one of the top three or four leagues? The more we can replicate what’s going on in a handful of cities, the more our good players will stay longer in MLS.

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    • The extensions on all four players contracts with the Timber is a good by the front office. You get to keep the core of the team for awhile will keep the team one of the top teams fof the next couple of years.

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    • Putting the financials aside, the Nagbe extension was probably the most sure-fire of the lot. He’s not going anywhere until his citizenship is secure…after that, I’d be willing to bet he’s gone in January 2016 or the following summer transfer window. He’s just too good and by then he’ll be even better.

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      • Putting aside your comical talent evaluation, you do realize there are more teams in those leagues than just the usual Champions League entrants? You don’t think there are plenty of mid-table teams interested in a player with technical ability, vision, blazing speed, and a knack for spectacular goals?

      • Maybe not straight from MLS. But if he hops over to the Netherlands or France, and does well there? People come knocking. You don’t score the goals he scores by not being “that good.”

    • I love how Tony says this is great, good players will stay in MLS longer, then people’s comment focus on when do they leave.

      For years we wanted to build a US soccer league, now 1/2 of us don’t care…almist want to see it fail, just read the comments….bizarre.

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