Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP
The Portland Timbers figure to be a more possession-oriented team under new head coach Caleb Porter, who is set to install the attacking style he became so well-known for during his time at Akron University and with the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team.
What the Timbers don’t have yet is a pure attacking midfield, but Portland is lining up a move to land just the kind of player who could fit that role. The Timbers are preparing a move to sign U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Mix Diskerud, sources told SBI on Thursday.
Currently at Norwegian side Rosenborg, Diskerud would be re-united with Porter, who coached him with the U.S. Under-23 national team.
Due to his status as a U.S. national team player, Diskerud would have to go through the MLS Allocation process, but the Timbers have maneuvered themselves into the top spot in the MLS Allocation Order after deals with Toronto FC and Chivas USA. (Update- TFC still has the No. 1 Allocation Order spot, but an agreement is in place that would ensure that Toronto would not select Diskerud. The arrangement was part of the trade completed between the teams on Wednesday.)
If the Timbers pull off the Diskerud acquisition, they will have added two major midfield pieces in Diskerud and Will Johnson who would fit in perfectly with the 4-3-3 system Porter is known to favor.
Diskerud, 22, has enjoyed a strong run with Rosenborg after joining them earlier this year, including a good showing in Europa League. He also impressed in the U.S. National Team’s recent 2-2 draw vs. Russia, scoring the late equalizer for the United States.
What do you think of this development? Shocked to hear Portland could pull off this move? Impressed with the team the Timbers are putting together?
Share your thoughts below.
Balllerrrr status. Mix is the shit
dont they have turf there?
Yes, we have turf, but it’s top quality. Due to the shape and location of the stadium, the field actually gets very little sunlight [insert Portland weather joke here] and grass won’t grow there. At Jeld-Wen, the alternative to turf is muck.
Grass would grow there, but at two million a year in rumored maintenance, we’re a pretty good ticket price hike away from implementing it; a hike that likely won’t happen as long as the greater Portland area continues to amaze more in the Army than on the pitch.
This simply goes back to the age old question: Is lower level Europe better for development than MLS. I personally think it is for a few reasons – reserve leagues, training practices, promotion/relegation pressures, club histories, and more but there’s no specific metric that can determine an absolute answer.
Regardless, I find this interesting for a couple of reasons…
First, this is not Sal Zizzo or some young American who went to Europe after growing up here and is coming home. Mix has NO connection to any MLS team or the league in general so despite his “American” status, this is a young European player who is considering MLS as an option to further his development and career. I think that bodes well for the reputation of MLS.
Second, I think it shows sound judgement by MLS for even kicking the tires on something like this and hopefully its a sign of a paradigm shift toward recognizing and embracing the potential for MLS as a development/feeder league instead of simply maligning the fact that its not on par with the bigger European leagues (possibly more a complex of the fans than the league).
So, as a “eurosnob” I think this is a bad idea for Mix’s career path but as an American who want’s MLS to succeed, good on you Caleb/Portland/MLS for having some vision and initiative.
You make some fair points that would apply in other cases (like Jozy for example), but Mixx would not necessarily benefit from the “reserve leagues, training practices, promotion/relegation pressures, club histories” and more that you mention.
First, there is plenty of fan support/history in Portland (and Cascadia in general). It’s not City v United or Inter v Milan, but so what? Actually, it’s not bad at all. The Timbers v Sounders match would eclipse anything he saw in Norway.
Second, Mixx will not advance his game in a promotion/relegation league if he is sitting on the bench. Reserve league games are moot here, because…
Third, Mixx would benefit most from regular first-team minutes on a team and at a position that demands the best of his attributes while also pressuring him to improve on his weaknesses (like physicality or a lack of it). He would almost certainly get that at Portland under Porter.
I would like Mixx to move to France or the Eredevise, but this would not be a bad move for him. It would probably be better than what he would see in Europe… at this point at least.
Fair points to you as well. a couple of counter points (and I think these will simply be things we disagree on). The Cascadia rivalries are great. But thats 2-3 games per season. There’s not the same atmosphere/pressure when Portland goes to FC Dallas to play in the dead heat of summer. Even the staunchest MLS proponent has to admit that it is not a league where “every point counts.” In Europe, with promotion, relegation, Europa, UCL, etc, there’s more potential for every match to be meaningful to every team.
Second, I am a firm believer that you get better by playing with and against players that are better than you. Mix comes into MLS as one of the premier players in the league and I think his development would be better served by fighting for and earning a position (even if he has to watch from the bench sometimes) than by being guaranteed first team minutes based on his name and salary.
Basically, I feel like if he wants to be a star now, he should come to the U.S. If he wants to be a star in 2016 and beyond, he’s be better off staying in Europe.
The Cascadia rivalries are 6 games a season. Potentially more with the Open Cup.
If he starts here I don’t think the whole full bodied Euro club training wheel apparatus is relevant. That’s really only relevant if you’re a junior player trying to bridge from youth play to pro first division soccer. There I might agree that MLS is lacking. But in this case I think we’re talking a senior-bridged player who is looking for a stage. So I don’t think he cares that a German team might have a fourth division team that could get him from A to B…..he thinks he’s close enough to B already.
Pro/rel has actually been horrible for many Americans caught up in demotions and coaching changes. And if you treat the Rangers meltdown as an involuntary relegation…..well, look what that’s done to the careers of everyone involved. Boca’s career trajectory has crested sooner than some expected, Edu has gone from folk hero to witness protection program levels of public appearances, and where’s Bedoya these days?
I think it’s a great move if it happens. I would love to watch Mix play week in and week out in MLS.
I think this a great move for Mixx. No way he gets the keys in a lower division club in Europe, but he’ll have his shot in the PDX.
cudos to porter. this would be an excellent addition.
cudos to Mixx for considering this move!
MLS was a MUCH worse league in 2001 when Donovan moved over, he has been pretty ok for the USMNT. I think he will be just fine. How many coaches in Europe are going to build a team around him? Porter knows exactly how to play him, and he will be playing a role that the Nats need to fill as well. I think it’s a good move for him.
wow, excellent move for both Mix and Portland. I am really looking forward to seeing him play in MLS. No question he will be one of the better cm’s in the league however my one worry about him is how he will handle the physicality of the league, hopefully he improves on that here.
Also if he wants to go to Brazil in a year and half what better place to be than MLS.
Thats the reason why him coming to MLS is a necessity. He has to eb much better physically, adn MLS will definitely help him achieve that.
Cool that he’s still 22. Been hearing about him so long that I thought he was older.
Also vaguely interesting: Rosenborg’s stadium has a capacity of 21,116, according to Wikipedia, so Jeld-Wen is almost exactly the same size. And finally, Rosenborg is in Trondheim, a rainy city in a cloudy country, so Portland’s weather won’t surprise.
Cap him! And book him!
God I would love this move. The only negative thing for Mix would be salary because he could definitely make more elsewhere. This would really boost his chances at the national team and put him more in the American public eye being in the MLS instead of a low-level European team.
That would be a great move for the Timbers. Excited for them! Excited for Caleb Porter. Let’s see what he’s got at the MLS level.
For everyone talking about the travesty of leaving a “top” European league, I dare you to go on wikipedia and look up the league attendance and list of greatest players ever. The NPL has only averaged over 10k fans a game ONCE in it’s history, and I could place 2 players on the list of top goal scorers.
Also, the NPL currently ranks NINETEENTH in Europe in UEFA standings. Not in the world, in Europe. Come to Portland Mixx*! [*if you don’t get an offer from Holland]
Oops, my bad. Norway is ranked as the 27th best league in Europe currently. Almost as good as the Slovakian League!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient#Current_ranking
with this evidence i guess you could reason MLS is a better league than Norway but he is more likely to get a higher transfer move performing well in Norway than in MLS. Sucks yet true
Europe is always better than MLS, please do not make this mistake again.
Litchenstein 4th division has better coaching and talent and every player should move there if they have the chance.
Give me what your smoking, because not all leagues in Europe is good.
Sarcasm bro
I think league quality is a marginal issue. I think it’s about exposure. Playing here the coach will see his weekly performances, If he does very well it will be his Brazil 2014 sales pitch. If he performs like Benny…..then he gets Benny results. But if he’d just bounced to another Euro-league of similar exposure as Norway, I don’t think it would matter how he played, he’d be an after thought. Cause you’ll always be inferior to the B.1 and Serie A bunch. Their Euro CV will always outdo yours. But if it’s you versus say Sacha and the coach can see you play here every week and get it through his thick skull you offer more…..I’d take here over obscurity and maybe a better paycheck in Austria or Belgium.
Our young players should make their way to Holland. Scandinavian leagues are good thouvh. Denmark being the best
+1
With Portland at No 2 in the order is it possible that they have a “gentleman’s agreement” with Toronto to pass on him. Win-win as Portland gets their player and TFC remains No 1.
don’t see why toronto would just pass on him ‘and remain No 1’, when they could trade the #1 spot with portland for something (anything), and then they would still be #1 after portland takes mix.
the way you put it, toronto’s just giving portland something for nothing; that’s nice and all, but i don’t know why they’d do that.
Maybe it was part of the recent trade between the two teams? You know, the one that in the article he says contained the agreement not to pick him?
It makes a fair amount of sense. If Toronto trades the number 1 spot wholesale, Portland has first dibs at *anyone*. In this agreement, Portland gets a swing at Mix, and if they whiff, Toronto goes back to getting dibs on the next big name that comes around.
T-lover. do you work for MLS? Dude MLS is a decent league but its not on level with a top12 Euro league like Belgium. It barely compares to no15 Danish league
No I don’t work for MLS, but I have traveled Europe and watch a lot of these leagues in person. Belgium is not better then MLS, I have seen games in person, unless you are talking about a top Belgian side, it is not better. MLS so develop, Cameron could go in a EPL, without practice and play well. Yikes, get your soccer knowledge up.
I’ll take your word for it. That’s a good point in general though. A lot of leagues are boosted by a few really quality teams. MLS, by design, has spread the quality. Just look at Houston making the finals the past two years as evidence.
How many years on this supposed contract? A two year deal with maybe an option for a third would not ‘harm’ him. He is still young. What happened with his loan to Belgium? Was the player or team not happy? I have no business knowing anyway. Just a curiosity. Actually, Caleb and Mix would be a great move for MLS. Perhaps a horizontal move. No harm, but no real gain in competition.
Wow, I just moved back to Portland a few months ago. If this happens, I can’t wait to see him play in person!
On the plus side, Mixx plays in Europe. On the minus side, he plays in Norway. Sure, Europa League is decent experience, but I don’t think a switch to MLS is much of a step down if any in competition. I hope he goes where he’ll get good playing time to develop, but I am rooting it’s in MLS. Like I want to spend my weekends watching Tippeligaen football to see him play???
Love the ambition Porter is showing with all these moves. Lets hope it works out for him and raises the level of entire the league. The #PorterLandTimbers are going to make this a very interesting season.
Agreed.
+1000
Guys, he’s only 22. Tons of time to succeed and blow up as a regular starter in a very good league and go back to Europe in no time. Going straight from Rosenborg to Eredivisie or Bunde 2 wouldn’t necessarily be a great move at this point and far from certain about earning a spot somewhere. If he moves to Portland, he’s going to be a fulcrum of an attacking, possession oriented team with a very good coach (whom Klinsmann loves.) Starting every game, getting tons of minutes. He could play there 3 years and go back to a top-flight European league and still only be 25. I like it.
+1
+2
+3 completely agree
Sounds good, I agree with you. I just believe he’s good enough to go a step above MLS at this point.
You improve and develop by playing against and with players who are better than you day in and day out and fighting for your spot in the lineup; not by being “handed the keys” and never having to worry about looking over your shoulder for someone trying to take your guaranteed position.
The physicality of MLS may be too much for him at this point in his career. Hopefully Portland is looking long-term with this kid.
Not going to happen…….
The best way Mix makes a big Euro move is for him to do well in high profile club competitions (like Parkhurst) – think champions league …. or plays for the USMNT. He has a much better shot of getting USMNT minutes in qualifying if he plays in MLS vs. similar league in Europe. So that might have something to do with his plans… plus they’re playing a Klinsi friendly system.
I’m liking the moves with the MLS.. spending some money and taking chances.. hopefully good for business and fututre of American Futbol
The only way he comes to MLS is as a DP in my opinion. However, he would have to lack ambition to do this.
“lack of ambition”? have you received info from him on this?
IN MY OPINION. He played well for the top team in Norway, Rosenberg which plays Europa League. Going to MLS would be a step down for a player of his talent and exposure. If he has ambition he should look to a bottom EPL side. Or look at the Bundesliga or France.
No it’s not. MLS is a step up form Norway.
debateable. Moneywise? Playwise?
No, stay in Europe. He has had enough exposure so he can move to a better league/better team. I’m not even sure the Timbers are a better team than Rosenborg.
How many Scandinavian players move on to the top three leagues in the world, so far two players will be in the EPL next year from MLS.
What’s your point? We are not comparing leagues. We are determining where he should go…
He should weigh his options. Fact remains, he had a good stint in Europe and Nat’l team games. He may now have the opportunity move to a better league like the one in Holland as you pointed out earlier. Which is better than MLS.
His only options are Scandinavia clubs. No Holland club is after him, also looking at Cameron who plays in the EPL. I would rather be in the EPL,then Holland. I see with a couple of MLS games, and National team duty, he would be sold to a EPL side.
I’m not sure what his offers are. I heard that Rapid Vienna was looking at him…That’s all I heard.
He should wait a while for other offers. I still think he’s got enough quality to make a jump to a better league.
I agree though, this guy has the tools to flourish if groomed properly. MLS is not a bad option, if only Scandinavian teams are at his door. I just think he has enough talent to take on a challenge.
It may come down to $ in all honesty.
NLS is a challenge, especially where he is coming from. MLS is no pushover league. It may not be the most technical but it is still a very, very good league. Not sure why you made it sound like the MLS option is detremental to his growth or is going to be a cakewalk for him.
From a technical standpoint – under the wrong coach I would agree with you but it sounds like Porter will use him properly and he will have the chance to grow in a very fast and very physical league. That cannot be a bad thing.
I hope the money is right for him, but like we said for Besler yesterday – money isn’t everything for most people. If Mix is considering this it could be that a) this is all that he has going for him (which I doubt) or b) there is more to this than just money.
“I’m not sure what his offers are.”
Probably should have ended with that.
If they can land Agudelo too…it would be like USMNT!
Surprising choice by Mix. I hope he knows what he’s getting into: Jeld-Wen’s 2-star plastic pitch. Anyway, all the best to him and Portland. The Timbers will be massively different in 2013. Those who wrote of Boyd may be surprised when he starts receiving service from quality mids.
You realize that rating means FIFA is okay with even a WC final on it?You make it sound like it is bad to have that rating.
I know that, Homer. That point is it’s a plastic pitch.
You ever played a soccer game in the spring on grass in the Northwest? You swim more than you run.
I see this defense a lot. I grew up in Portland, so I know the climate fairly well. It’s no rainier there than Manchester, and less rainy than the north of England, Newcastle, Sunderland, etc. And every team in the EPL plays on grass.
many teams in England have hybrid pitches
And yet Portland doesn’t.
This coming from a Timbers fan.
Not a Timbers fan but seriously who cares? What’s the big deal with people and the Seattle/Portland pitches? The passion for soccer in that region is great for soccer in our country yet some people are desperate to knock it.
No, not desparate to knock the region’s passion for soccer. I’m a native of the region and I have huge respect for Seattle and Portland’s respective fan bases. They both play on plastic. That sucks.
5 out of the 16 teams in Tippalingen have artificial turf right now as well.
Yes, but neither of Mix’ previous teams do.
So, why then does FIFA allow it?
Can you explain away that it is a useful surface under the circumstances? And there are studies that actual gameplay doesn’t change.
Look what happened to Feilhaber and Davies. do not come to MLS
davies was a failure before he even got here. Yes, he scored some goals but MLS wasn’t the reason he was a flop, it was the massive injuries that he can’t come back for. Have you noticed he’s basically a reserve squad player at Randers?
And if he fails in MLS then he can go down to Mexico and become their top scorer even if he can’t start many games. It worked for Herc “I can’t break the Rapids’ starting lineup” Gomez.
I’m befuddled by how a dozen league goals in one season makes him a failure. That’s enough to get players like Bruin talked about for the national team.
Look at Eddie Johnson, Zusi or even Cameron who develop in MLS and was sold to the EPL. The fact is Davies is done, the injury ended his career and Feilhaber didn’t look that great either.
Zusi is the EPL now?
No, I was saying players who are on the national team, that had great MLS season’s, which lead to success on the national team. I just included Cameron to show how his developing in MLS, lead to him being sold to the EPL.
Huh? Feilhaber was with a sh!t team and Davies scored 11 goals.
Did you really just blame Davies’ struggles on the MLS, what a joke
MLS is the least of Davies’s problems.
Mixx would instantly be a top player for the Timbers, working under a first-class coach he already knows well. Take it easy, MLS apologists.
Let’s not hand out the term “first-class coach” before he’s ever coached a single professional game. In fact, if you go by Porter’s highest level of coaching then you’d have to say he has flop written on him way more than “first-class.” The ability to relate to a kid and talk him into coming to your college might not be that helpful in the pros.
While I would agree that we need to see how Porter does in the pros first before calling him a hit, you do realize how funny it is for you to say his ability to relate to a kid and talk him into coming to your college isn’t helpful underneath a post that shows exactly why being able to build a relationship with a young player can be helpful.
BOOM.roasted.
Huh? Both were unemployable in Europe at that time and came to the US to revive their careers. Benny when from Derby, where he never played (despite them being horrible), to a second division Danish side. No one was really knocking on his door.
Davies came to MLS because they were willing to take a chance on a guy who was physically not back yet. He got more playing time in DC – despite his complaints – than he now does back in Scandanavia.
Their failures in MLS have nothing to do with the league and everything to do with their own actions.
What exactly happened to Davies? He was already not playing in Europe and was damaged goods when DC took a chance on him? Nobody was banging down the door to have Feilhaber either both should be kissing MLS’s ass for allowing them to come here when they were slumping and get 300-400k paydays. If Benny is so sought after why is he so happy to be going to Sporting KC? Stop killing MLS emrbace it’s progress and realize the expectations we have put on some of these young players far outweigh their ability. In Mix’s case he may want to be front and center in JK’s eyes for qualification and to potentially be part of the Brazil 2014 roster.
Or you could look at what happened to Johnson. As for Davies I would argue he was better off here then when he went back overseas cause his national team picture is very dim atm..
yeah way to take two players out of many to “prove” your point.
EJ scored the winner for the nat team the other day by the way. My opposing point is now proven.
MLS is obviously to blame for Feilhaber not being more successful. Because it was going so swimmingly in the Bundesliga and EPL.
To this day I’m still pissed that Landon came back to MLS and destroyed his career. That kid could have been something great…oh wait
and for those who don’t really get why he would make such a move, he clearly has a lot of respect for Porter when he coached the U23s and this probably played a role in his decision. He definitely will have to play well to play his way back into the national team picture but this could work out to be a good move
Back into the national team picture? Did he ever leave? He JUST played against Russia.
I think he might have had a hand in that draw… let’s see… trying to remember…
No you are thinking of that other Scandinavian-American guy, Mixerud.
the audacity. Porter has big balls
Large bols.
Scandinavia teams aren’t really better then MLS, if he was in Holland I would say stay. However, looking at how many Scandinavia players leave and go to the EPL, which is not a lot,is not really a draw. MLS has just send Espinoza and Cameroon, to the EPL
arguably on the same level. Denmark is slightly higher whereas Sweden is lower with Norway being the same. In 5years i suspect MLS will be clearly a better league. Youre right. Most players in the Scandinavian leagues move to say HOlland, Belgium or Germany. Almost never to England
You’ve never sat down to a Tippeligaen game in your life and are blowing hot air. MLS clubs have more quality, athleticism (and competition) than any clubs in Scandinavia outside of FCK (and FC Michael Parkhurst it appears).
It’s worth pointing out though that players from Scandanavia often move to Holland or Belgium or wherever as a stepping stone to the BPL or some top league. I agree that I want him in MLS, but just looking at a few MLS players we’ve sent to England doesn’t necessarily make our league better than Norway’s.
+3
FACEPALM x100. Bad move for him, he could start in the Eredivisie.
When he was loaned to Belgium, he didn’t start.
I’m not saying I agree with his move, but perhaps his non-Norway options were more limited than you think.
He got an offer from Rapid Vienna that he turned down
MLS > Austrian league
MLS < Austrian League.
MLS will keep him in lock down for years before he can get a transfer back to Europe.
MLS>Austrian>Norwegian
MLS>Austrian>Norwegian.
He only got Options from Scandinavia, no Eredivisie were after him. I really don’t get your, point. Also MLS clubs have been sending more players to the EPL.
Rapid Vienna were after him. Im sure he got some interest from Belgium. Either way he is quality and may be too good for MLS
Not sure if he’d be too good for MLS. He might light it up which would be great because then he may get interest from EPL or Spain.
The Austrian Bundesliga is poop, and way worse than MLS.
MLS > Austrian bundesliga
If we treat MLS and Austria as in the same neighborhood soccerwise, if MLS gets him seen more by Klinsi……? After all, Boyd’s done decent in Austria, but though he remains a pool prospect, Austria would be more of a pro career springboard than a US launching pad…..I think you’d write him off for this cycle in Austria…..midfield is much more loaded than forward.
Now, if he wanted $$$$, stay in Europe — many do — but he might also just disappear for the cycle. Besides, I’m sure his aspirations are higher than Austria. Hence come home to MLS and maybe rebound to something like EPL. Like Holden he’d have half a foot in the door with EU citizenship. He needs a stage to show what he’s got.
Whoa.
Not sure I get it for Mix, though. Seemed like his career was on the up in Europe. Sure, MLS might be a choice if he couldn’t find work outside of Scandanavia, but I can’t imagine he wasn’t getting looks.
noooooooooooooooopooooopp. He needs to be in Europe. Sure in 10years come for him. But its great to hear of a MLS side actually bidding for a quality young player. Hes probably worth a million euros or so.
If they pull this off, Portland would be 2-3 moves away from starting 2013 with playoff-quality talent. Amazing considering where they were at the end of this past season.
If Portland gets those 2-3 moves all they would be missing from a playoff quality team would be a good coach.
Yeah, I went there.
Let’s see how the college run and gun tactics work in MLS against midfields out west locked down by the Alonso’s and Beckermans. Let’s see how his untraditional defensive backlines hold up against Wondo, Keane, et al.
Could that system work? MAYBE, if the team had the right players and about three to four seasons to put that system into play, always refining, always building… do you think any coach in MLS is going to be given the time it takes to pull that off? Do you think a coach in front of a rabid fanbase is going to get that time to put in a full new system that has no tradition in MLS? Ask Toronto how any of their long-term plans panned out given that the coaches are shown the door so quickly.
the answer to your questions about giving Porter time is undoubtedly, unequivocally, yes. Caleb Porter is probably the #2 coaching prospect in the US behind Jason Kreiss. Porter has passed on other MLS opportunities, so for him to accept this position it probably means that he’s going to have the time to build his roster and get the team on the same page. This isn’t chelsea where he’ll be out after 6 months. If they’re letting him tear apart and rearrange the roster, they’ll give him time to make it work
L. O. L.
What’s so funny?
Not sure what you’re getting at here. First off, I said playoff quality talent, not a playoff quality team. Second, MLS is full of successful coaches whose experience came from playing in MLS and coaching in college. It’s the foreign imports who tend to fall on their faces, not guys like Porter.
The Portland fanbase is rabid, but also pretty savvy, I think. They can wait a few years if they feel there is promise in the plan.
Porter didn’t play “run and gun” in college. He played attacking, possession-based soccer. See Swansea in the EPL for a model.
This would be a vertical move for him. He may or may not play well, but he wouldn’t be getting European top flight quality coaching or experience.
Contrary to popular belief… you do not have to be from a foreign country to coach football well…. Bob Bradley has done wonderful with Egypt…
Porter is an outstanding young coach..
Porter has only been challenged in the Mickey Mouse college system. His only “top tier” experience is getting one of our best youth sides ever assembled knocked out of qualifying.
He’s a good young coach but his learning curve is going to be HUGE. Lest we remind everyone that his subs during qualifying were terrible.
Nevertheless, Poeter will at least try to institute the attacking style that complements Mix’s game. And Diskerud did play well in the Olympic qualifiers despite the failure.
Arena and Bradley were honed in the college ranks. The main difference between say Arena and Porter is sustained success at a high level ie championships.
I’d say that the compact fall schedule and unique subbing rules make college a different animal that doesn’t always translate to the pros. A pro coach can’t just “recruit,” he needs to be able to gel a player rotation who can’t be supplemented with liberal college sub rules. He needs to be able to see ahead of time the holes in his roster. He needs to be able to use his few subs wisely.
My concern about Porter is he won’t have the best recruited team on the block, he showed little recognition or response to the weakness of his U-23 defensive talent, and he showed no ability to use his bench to tactically manage a game to a result…..people forget he had the lead on ES but couldn’t seal the deal….and some of that might reflect his Winter/ Vermes 433 obsession.
Porter in college soccer already pretty much ignored the NCAA’s free subbing rule and barely made any changes. He rarely used more than 13-14 players in any game.
Arena and Bradley coached in college soccer during a different time. Now there are a few programs in the NCAA trying to play attacking, possession-based soccer, Akron the forerunner. No American college coach has ever been as promising as Porter ever from this standpoint, Arena, Sigi, BB, nobody.
Are you seriously suggesting that Arena’s 5 national championships (including 4 in a row) made him less promising? Or Sigi making the NCAAs for an amazing 16 straight years with 3 titles? You’re comparing them to a guy who managed 1 national title with a loaded set of squads…..piles of MLS first round picks. I’m amazed he only managed one win.
To me the collegiate promise parallel would be something more like Bradley, who while very successful for the relative programs he coached, had only won two Ivy titles and made 1 final four, when he moved to DCU with Arena.
But to me the sign of coaching success is they win everywhere they go and that’s generally true of Sigi and Bruce. To me Porter’s U23 issues — at home, people forget, where we should have been at advantage, not struggling — raise questions about the transferability of his Akron successes.
I think you mean horizontal move.
Probably more like lateral move. If I’m not mistaken.
What is this “top flight” you speak of? I thought we were discussing a player playing within a reindeer turd’s throw of the arctic circle.
Lol. I studied abroad in Norway and my friends there refer to crap football anywhere in the world as ‘its Tippeligaen’.
People, Euro Coaching is ALWAYS better than US Coaching. It is just is. It is a fact.
Doesn’t matter if you are talking Kinnear or Arena, every coach in second division in an euro country is better. Even more so for top flight.
No one make this mistake again.
“Euro coaching is better”. How do you know that? do you have some magical power that can judge the coaching ability of Coaches?
T-Lover, I think Charles’ statment was intended to convey sarcasm.
Um, you realize that there are coaches in MLS from the European leagues right? And they don’t necessarily do as well? I’m not saying that the overall level of coaching is better in Europe, but blanket statements are generally pretty erroneous (I’m sure that one included).
Meant to imply that the overall level of coaching IS better in Europe.
First thing first… let’s get him Cap tied, and getting him out of Norway would be a good safety net for that.
There’s a reason they call them managers and not coaches.
Would be a great move for the timbers. Plus USMNT fans could actually get a look at him too
And more importantly from Mix’s point of view, JK will see him much more often.
Yep. And he’s reunited with Caleb Porter.
Yes, so he can repeat the awesome experience of the successful Olympic qualifying campaign that saw the US almost make it out of a group containing nothing but teams that didn’t qualify for the Olympics. Ouch.
If you saw any of those Olympic matches, you’ll know that the #1, #2 and #3 problems with the team were defense, goalkeeping, and defensive midfield respectively. Mix played none of those roles.
He was also an absolute monster against Mexico’s U23s in February and busted his butt to defend following much criticism that he was a one way player.
will see if mix has the speed and strength to play in this league and my guess is hell No!!!!
and porter should know better, there goes his new job, anyone that knows real soccer should know why is mix leaveing europe in his early 20s that means hes not playing, he can’t handle it over there, and even if u have some skill, if you dont have speed and strength in mls ur done! which we didnt see him haveing on tv, no wonder he comeing to mls, so he can make some money
Would prefer him to stay in Europe.
Why? The knock on MLS vs. mid-level European leagues has been, at least from a player perspective, the pay. Not the quality of competition.
definitely. I dont see him getting more than 200 K and he probably makes that already in Norway and could get double that if he moves to a decent Dutch club
Uhm, Diskerud would command around 400,000 dollars at Portland. Thast how much he would be paid in the Eredivisie, adn lower tierd German clubs. I think this deal is exactly what Diskerud needs. He has all of the technical ability, but he needs to play in aleague where he will betested physically every week.
Keep in mind his move from the Norweigian league to the Belgium league (it was Belgium, right, or maybe Danish?) didn’t go so well. Maybe his rights owners don’t see anyone else coming in for him.
Oh, I see he is now out of contract, no wonder MLS is trying to make a move. Reports said that Rosenborg were going to offer him a long term contract… I guess those were wrong or he might be using MLS’s offer to play against Rosenborg for a better deal.
Wow very impressive moves from Porter! Port-land might actually be an exciting team to watch for something other than their fans this year.
Dude’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
areyou just figuring that out?
Like at his home U-23 qualification?
I think he’s turning over the roster with some interesting young talent but that sounds kind of like Philly, who has some interesting players too and doesn’t make the playoffs either. To me what they need is a stud marquee signing and perhaps no Boyd. Until then I think we’re talking incremental splashes, not chess master.
To “the imperative voice”, Porter has never needed a “marquee signing” for any of his teams. He picked up players that were solid and developed them to become a team. Plus, if you know anything about Porter’s collegiate coaching career he has consistently brought in top recruiting classes year after year after year. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s a chess master.
I see a bit of a contradiction in arguing a coach who had strong recruiting classes to push his teams along, doesn’t need a marquee signing for his pro team.
Cause to me if he arguably lived off recruiting then it begs the question how good a coach he actually is. During my soccer career I occasionally ran into what I termed the “roll out the ball” coach who basically carried the ball bags out for a group of talented players and then took credit for the success they created. Not saying he has to be that, but the U23 flop raised questions about his ability to manage rosters and games…..no apparent sense of how awful his defense was…..no ability to change games with subs despite a fair amount of talent on the roster. The Gyau fiasco. etc.
So I’m going to wait and see if he can re-produce his Akron success in MLS, or if he was a product of his own collegiate recruiting ability.
So is this a showing of growing quality in MLS the Diskerud would sign here after a pretty successful stint in Europe or just that he’s not good enough to break into one of the bigger leagues or clubs?
that is the question. He has talent to do well in a Holland or lower German or Spanish side
This article says that Porter is “lining up” to acquire Diskerud but so far it doesn’t seem like it’s a done deal. Lining up could mean that Mix is seriously interested or casually listening to the offer but may keep his options open to other clubs in Europe.
MLS is filled with aging Europeans and others who came over to MLS to refresh their careers. It would be unusual to bring such a young player with big upside who was bread in a European system.
MMMMMMMM…. European bread…
lol
+1
Veeeery interesting. How much does he get paid, obviously not a DP.
He’ll probably command 250k per year or at least 200k
More
I would take Mix as a DP for my team over most DPs in MLS. really promising player
slow down…I’m not sure he is physically ready for MLS. I don’t think he even starts the first year.
Why would Mix come to play in the US when he is not even from here? I am sure he has other European options, and I am sure JK would not prefer this, so this makes no sense.
I have no doubt PDX has something up their sleeve with what they have done, but this?
thats an idiotic statement. There are HUNDREDS of players in the MLS that aren’t from the US, where you are from, and where you play aren’t related. And perhaps he doesn’t have all of these european offers that you speak of, maybe he’s got two options: Rosenborg, or Portland. Maybe, he loves Porter’s system, believes he can thrive, and is signing a 1 or 2 year deal to get some stability, a pay day, and spend some time in the US?
well yeah, maybe.
Uhm, does Rosenborg own his rights or does the incredibly financially screwed Stabaek own his rights? Did I mention Stabaek is incredibly financially screwed?
Look, if Kyle Beckerman can ride his play in MLS to a regular spot (not always starting, but on the 18 man roster a lot) then why can’t Mix do the same?
Good move by MLS, get him some play, get him some more minutes on the Nats and then sell him to a bigger European team and pocket some money.
Good for mls. Bad for his development. Not sure why he’d leave europe
+1
-5
The Norwegian league is not as good as MLS.
Mix, taking a step up, for sure. If he shines, his career is just fine, on-track, etc.
He was playing in the Europa League. MLS as much as I love it, can’t touch that experience.
He should go where his services will be most valued on the pitch. So reasonably good probability of starting (x) Best Pay = where he should go. Wherever he goes, I hope he kicks ass & chews bubble-gum.
What else does JK prefer ? you seem to have an inside track.
Agreed. I don’t like this at all. Not to be mean, but Mix is better than MLS and MLS kills young attacking talent. Mix needs to be challenged and MLS will not be a challenge to him beyond crap refs and defenders hacking him down.
I beg to differ.
You do know he’s playing in the Norwegian League, not La Liga right? I would put MLS above Norway’s League in terms of quality and style of play
Have to disagree like these other commenters josh. Mix is playing in a worse, less technical league than MLS right now, and as Caleb Porter as his head coach, he will be able to show off his possession/offensive flair. Then, a bigger club (my guess would be Holland) will come knocking in a few years, Diskerudnwill improve as a player, and MLS will get more money. Win-win situation.
If Mix signs with MLS they will keep him under lock and key. He’ll be in his late 20s by the time he’s released.
The Netherlands is the most logical next step. Our league is not tactical or technical. We have yet to develop a creative player. Donovan is not creative before people throw his name around.
He needs to be technically challenged not physically. And these are the years you step up.
H
you dont want to call freddy adu a creative player? josh, its almost 2013, not 2003. players coming to MLS is in vogue.
if you are suggesting that players cant develop in MLS, that seems like a good debate to take on.
You can’t get more tactical in MLS than playing for Porter. I would guess his contract won’t be a long one. The kid is what? 21? he has lots of time to move to big and better teams.
Clint Dempsey.
Josh D’Eurodouche
Why would he leave Europe? How many caps is his current perch getting him? He’s putting himself on the team of (overrated mind you) his U23 coach, right under Klinsi’s Pacific-based nose. If he plays well he’s created his own poker chip to up the ante for qualification callups.
Granted, I’m sure Feilhaber had the same concept, and it’s not worked out that way for him.
But MLS would seem to be a sensible landing strip for a US player looking to make his case for the US team. He’ll either make it or not on his own merits, not because no one knows how he’s doing every week up in Scandinavia, half off the radar.
And he’s young enough that like Holden he could parlay any MLS and US revival into a U-turn straight back to Europe if he’s so inclined.
How does Portland have the top spot? As of now TFC own the #1 spot in the allocation order.
a little unknown nugget about yesterdays trade was Portland moving up, and toronto losing their spot. Not sure about the exact details though
It’s not in the trade release or official documents
The only announcement was Portland trading for the 2nd allocation spot
my guess is there is a deal in pplace where TFC won’t take him, leaving it to the Timbers
That’s what the text of the article above says. Toronto agreed to a “hands off” clause, so Timbers would have first dibs at Diskerud.
Did you read the article?
There’s a rumor that part of the trade with TFC was an agreement that they would not use their #1 spot for the player the Timbers want.
When did TFC give up the top allocation spot? It wasn’t announced as part of the press release or trade notification
Maybe a handshake agreement that TFC would pass on this deal?
MLS not reporting the full details of a transaction? Shocking!
An aspect I absolutely hate about our league.
“Miskerud” huh?
That’d make a great nickname for him, Ives. 😉 Mixxerud even better?
‘Dix’, huh?
Open up your legs Portland. Here comes the Dix.
WHOA.
wow.
I think this is the moment when we actually have to start taking Portland seriously.
Can we expect to see Terrence Boyd up top?
good luck, you are going to need him..