The Portland Timbers have seen enough from Cameroonian midfielder Franck Songo'o to make him one of their own.
The Timbers announced they agreed to a deal with Songo'o on Thursday, signing the former Barcelona youth product after his solid showing in Portland's first four preseason games. Songo'o delivered four assists in those matches, including two in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire.
The 24-year-old Songo'o joins the Timbers after last playing for Spanish club Albacete Balompie during the 2010-2011 season. In his seven-year career, Songo'o has spent time with muliple clubs in England and Spain, including Portsmouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Zaragoza.
What do you think of Portland signing Songo'o? Do you see him earning a starting role with the club?
Share your thoughts below.
Not meaning to stir the pot but in some key games down the stretch at the end of last year it was 2-1 Houston, 3-1 KC, 2-0 NYRB, 2-0 Houston, 1-1 DC, 1-1 RSL. That may be more settled than 3-3 NYRB or 4-0 Dallas, but still reflects work to do.
And just from a personnel standpoint, as a Dynamo fan, we were never quite comfortable with Chabala and Palmer. Even 1.1 GA is solid but not great, when you have LA allowing 28 over a season and several teams in the 30s. I think Portland needs a defensive talent infusion to really move up the table. But I’m not meaning to be harsh, it’s a second year team that wasn’t bad in its first, and maybe Spencer has a progression of how he wants to work on his side. I do think Songo’o makes heaps more sense than signing a dessicated DM from Scotland, so light-years ahead of Vancouver there. I just think some of the more hyperbolic talk about Portland is overstated, because even if the offense improves by 10 goals it could be a NYRB situation where you both score and get scored on a lot, which is how a soccer team holds itself back a little…there’s a reason NY has not lived up to promise, which is that they have to outscore the other team….
“All but their first two preseason goals”
You guys don’t know what you’re talking about. Kitsap Pumas are the best team in the northwest.
Nice pickup. Timbers now boast an impressive group of young wingers Songo’o, Nagbe, Alhassan, and Zizzo. This is going to be the strength of the team in the years ahead.
I think Songo’o will see some time in central midfield also. The improved offense will take pressure off of the defense.
Vancouver is the Cascadian team to beat this year…
You’re not a Timber supporter or you would never say that. Sounds like another trendy, yuppie, Starbucks drinking, Microsoft whore from too far north to count if you ask me.
Perkins and the defense had 1.7 GGA through the first 19 games and 1.1 through the last 15. I think the defense is more settled than that first half of last season. The first 19 had about 8 different CB pairings or something crazy like that.
You mean like LA?
Not sure what you are looking at, we scored 2 goals against LAG in the first 10 minutes.
The last game against Chicago was starters for the second half (except for GK and for RB, Purdy played in the place of an injured Palmer), and those starters scored in 4 minutes against Chicago’s reserves.
You can debate whether it means anything, but to say Portland starters haven’t jumped on anyone early is pretty much as false as you can get.
Debatable meaning? Perhaps. Meaningless? Can’t agree. Portland did in fact have potential starters in some of those starting 11s, it wasn’t scrubs followed by starters. Sorry, I find it interesting when Houston scores on SJ in 5′ but takes 68′ of work to break down LA. I’d like to see Portland jump on somebody early in one of these more serious late preseason matches before annointing them for big things. Perhaps that happens if Boyd plays. But at present it looks like incrementally better than last year.
Thanks, because I couldn’t believe he could only play 6 matches for lousy Albacete.
In the last game, the stronger group of players played the second 60′ session.
But I don’t think there was ever a time during any of these games when a true first XI lineup was on the field — even when a chunk of potential starters were on, they were mixed with trialists and reserves. Not to mention, the opposition isn’t always playing their starting XI. So again, when or how much scoring so far has been meaningless as a predictor of their season success.
That being said, the next round of games at Jeld-Wen should see some more emphasis on finding a starting XI.
Johnson has a concussion, his third in a year. Worried about not only his health in soccer but in general. We arent counting on him this season
All but their first two preseason goals have come 60’+ into the games, ie, after the first round of subs. I’ll be interested to see how they do as preseason progresses because despite the strong paper record this does not necessarily scream first team dominance.
Oh, and for those of you wondering…
HE IS NOT A “LEMON” BECAUSE A HUMAN IS NOT A “LEMON”!!!!!!!!
GOT THAT?!
When or whether they’re scoring at all in preseason is hardly an indicator of what the season holds.
Perkins really rebounded last year after playing poorly for DC.
Yes, the defense is still the weak link and hopefully the CBs can stay healthy and some outside back reinforcements get added.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Seattle is still the team to beat in the PNW (and I’m a Timber supporter).
Too bad. Followed him from his Atex days and rooting for him. He had just scored and was looking better before his concussion in the last third of the season last year. Another one so soon? Twellmanish.
Not a prayer of the Timbers NOT being in the playoffs this season. Stellar offseason.
former Barca youth? wow.. if he is as good as it sounds this could be big. interesting tho that he has been loaned out just about every year he has been a pro.
I’ve respected Spencer since he was a Houston assistant, he’s got a strong CV when anyone bothers to look. So I figure he can build a good team.
Songo’o looks like a decent pickup. But it bears reminding Portland is in the West, they’re scoring late in most of the preseason games, and this seems an incremental move. Put him and Boyd out there and I think the Timbers are in the mix to make the playoffs again.
That being said, Perkins really tailed off once he went abroad, hasn’t impressed me since, that’s a weak link. Their defense doesn’t bowl me over. You look back at last year and they allowed 48 GA. I could see this being an interesting, NY/DC last year-type team that is fun to watch, scores bunches, allows bunches. Decent trajectory for an expansion team but particularly in their conference I’d not count chickens before eggs hatched.
Look out for the Timbers..
Great, great move by Portland. I’ve seen this guy play and he’s the real deal. They are stacked at midfield now. I expect better play from POR and VAN this season. Both could make POs.
Eddie sustained yet another concussion shortly after the team arrived in LA for this training stint. He was sent back to Portland for further evaluation, and I haven’t heard anything else as of yet.. but, as Chris said, it doesn’t sound good, unfortunately..
Not good
Hey, Timber fans
Any idea what is going on with the English Eddie Johnson? He seems to be the only forward not playing.
Injured?
On his way out?
Timbers looking good for this season. Best team in the PNW?
Very excited to see him play.
portland, making all the right moves?