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MLS Ticker: Johnson signs Timbers extension, Earthquakes add Portuguese winger, and more

WillJohnson1 (PortlandTimbers)

By RYAN TOLMICH

Portland Timbers captain Will Johnson will extend his stay with the club after signing a contract extension, the Timbers announced on Monday.

Johnson joined the Timbers prior to last season before having his best year as a professional by scoring eleven goals in all competitions. The Timbers midfielder also contributed five assists on his way to earning a spot in the MLS Best XI.

Johnson becomes the latest Timber to sign an extension, joining Diego Valeri, Diego Chara and Darlington Nagbe among the key Timbers starters to secure long-term deals with the Timbers.

Here are some more MLS items from the weekend and Monday:

EARTHQUAKES ADD PORTUGUESE WINGER YANNICK DJALO ON LOAN

The San Jose Earthquakes have reached a deal with Portuguese powerhouses S.L. Benfica to bring in winger Yannick Djalo on a season-long loan.

The 27-year-old winger comes to San Jose having played seven years in Portugal’s top flight to go with one season in France’s Ligue 1. He has been capped once by the Portuguese national team, having appeared in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Cyprus

“We’re excited to announce the signing of Yannick,” Earthquakes head coach Mark Watson said via the club’s official site. “There was a lot of work and time spent scouting in the offseason, and we feel like we have a very good player in Yannick. He adds a versatile, attacking dimension to our team. He can operate as an attacking midfielder, but also has the pace to get behind defenders.”

In accordance with league policy, terms of the deal were undisclosed.

HOMEGROWN PLAYER JONES SCORES HAT-TRICK VS. SOUNDERS RESERVES

University of Washington forward Darwin Jones scored a stoppage time winner to complete his hat-trick in the Huskies 4-3 victory over the Seattle Sounders reserves Sunday night.

Jones, who is a homegrown-eligible player for the Sounders, added an assist to go with his three goals in a demonstration of the talent that saw him invited to the 2013 Sounders preseason camp. Jones was one of four Sounders products in the UW starting lineup.

Jalil Anibaba, Chad Barrett and trialist Cam Weaver scored for the Sounders, while highly-regarded U.S. Under-20 National Team midfielder Christian Roldan scored on Jones’ assist.

CHIVAS USA FALL TO UCLA IN SCRIMMAGE

The UCLA Bruins knocked off Chivas USA 2-1 in a friendly scrimmage Monday.

The Bruins, who finished third in the 2013 NCAA soccer rankings with a 12-3-5 record, scored two goals in the opening 23 minutes to take the lead.

Chivas USA pulled one back in the 69th minute on a Matthew Fondy goal, but the Goats were unable to find another goal on the afternoon.

REVS WAIVE MIDFIELDER DELPICCOLO

The New England Revolution waived Paolo DelPiccolo less than five months after acquiring the midfielder in the Waiver Draft.

DelPiccolo previously played for the Montreal Impact, where he was limited to reserve team appearance. Prior to joining the Impact, he spent time in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old was originally drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft after playing at Louisville.

 

 

Comments

  1. I was shocked to see that Yannick is going to play for the SJ Earthquakes. I watched him a lot when he played for Sporting in Portugal. The guy is a tremendous talent. He improves their team immediately.

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  2. Much needed move by the Quake FO…the fans were getting restless waiting for the promised attacking talent.

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    • I’m not surprised.
      About two months ago they dropped an A-minus Squad vs. A-minus Squad game against FC Tucson, who is in their second year as a USL club.

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  3. What a great photo. The little kid in white and green was turning towards the ball while the other two large players in blue were running straight ahead towards the ball. My money is on the little kid, he got to the ball first.

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  4. I’m all for improving MLS with quality players (I mean, who isn’t?), but when, if ever, are the young Americans at teams like San Jose and Portland going to get a chance to play? They’re going to have to play if they are supposed to become part of the next generation of national teamers. So, are Caleb Porter, Mark Watson, Mike Petke, etc. just relying on other managers to do that?

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    • James, San Jose doesn’t have those players in the pipeline. If he turns out to be starter material, then he is replacing Chavez and Cato, neither American. The quakes did develop a good young American, too bad he plays for Iran now. Tommy Thompson might get there someday, but he is too young, and Garza is the destitute man’s Breck Shea

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      • James, as a USA supporter, I symypathize. But the way you’re looking at the problem is totally wrong.

        1. It is not the responsibility of MLS teams to hand hold the next generation of young American players. It is the responsibility of MLS teams to win. That’s it.
        2. Winning means you field the best 11 players you possibly can. Whether they’re from Malaysia, Madagascar or Mars, doesn’t matter.
        3. It’s the American player’s responsibility (both old and young) to prove they are good enough to play. If they do not prove it, they ride the bench, end of story. Being American doesn’t give you priveleges over everyone else just because we play in America. Just like most any workplace environment in America that follows the law. It’s what makes this country great.

    • What a terrible attitude and outlook! What does Mike Petke, or any manager for that matter, owe any young American player who’s quality isn’t up to par? It isn’t a chicken or the egg scenario at the top of the pyramid, thats a debate for way lower down the ladder . . . younger american players need to be developed and ready to play. Even Clint Dempsey was able to get himself on the field in New England at a young age in order for his game to mature.

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  5. that is a great loan for the quakes…..wow..being a portuguese fan seen him a bit, he was good when he was at sporting but fell off since his move to benfica. He is quick and technically gifted player who I think will recover his form here. Good for the quakes.

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    • He was a big deal for a bit 3 or 4 years ago, but he’s shown the tendency to dance himself off the ball. Iffy loan stint at Tolouse last year. Still, a good player… and he won’t elbow people like Chavez.

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      • At that age why isn’t the lending team just selling, or the loanee team just buying? I’d think we could protect our interests with a short contract with options, and if the guy is so iffy he’s played for Benfica three times total and been lent out already, why isn’t he just released?

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