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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?
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