Picking the Timbers' All-Time XI

An impossible task.

*Cover photo credit to Sean Meagher/The Oregonian.*

As the Timbers embark on their 50th anniversary season, a special celebration of the club’s history is in store. The first task that has been assigned is figuring out the All-Time Timbers XI. It’s time to build the absolutely correct squad.

The Parameters

The squad is set up in a 3-4-3 formation. Do I agree with that? No, not in the slightest. The Portland Timbers use the 4-2-3-1. That’s just what they do.

This is a pretty good set of conditions. The most notable omission is Brian Fernandez, but he doesn’t meet any of the criteria. Let’s see how this team gets filled out.

Goalkeeper

This is the hardest section to fill out. To me, it comes down to four players: Kwarasey, Ricketts, Poole, and Clark. You could make the case for Cronin, but I think his candidacy fails for the same reason that Kwarasey’s does: not enough longevity. Now that list is down to three. I’m going to ignore Clark and get to him later. Now the choice is between Donovan Ricketts (a MLS GKotY winner) and Mick Poole (top 5 in NASL games played). I’m a huge proponent of adding the legends to this list, but I think Ricketts simply has the stronger case. Although he never won a team trophy, the individual awards carry him over the top.

GK Selection: Donovan Ricketts

Defenders

Two players are absolute Sharpies: Liam Ridgewell and Larrys Mabiala. You cannot convince me to remove either of them. It simply won’t happen. Ridgewell is a former captain, current coach, and MLS Cup winner. Mabiala has the most appearances by a defender in the MLS era. The run to MLS Cup in 2021 was buoyed by Sebastian Blanco, but Larrys Mabiala scored two key goals against Minnesota and Colorado in addition to some outstanding defensive performances to lead the stingy Portland defense. Big Game Larrys always stepped up to the plate during the most important matches. Do not let his last couple of years with the club taint your view of his tenure.

The final spot comes down to Clive Charles, Mick Hoban, Jorge Villafana, Dario Zuparic, and Nat Borchers. Scot (with one T) Thompson belongs in a completely different XI. More on that later. I’m going to eliminate Borchers purely due to longevity. Yes, he was the missing piece on the Cup-winning squad, but this is a stacked field at the back. My heart says Zuparic deserves a spot here due to his contributions in the MLS is Back tournament (he scored in the final) and the 2021 postseason. In addition, Zuparic is the model of consistency. But I think this spot has to go to one of the two Ring of Honor members (I’ll check back on Villafana later). My heart says Clive Charles, but my brain says Mick Hoban. I did not watch either of these players because I wasn’t alive. But I think that the choice comes down to who impacted the Timbers more. Charles’ impact has been felt in the entire city. You cannot tell the story of soccer in Portland without Clive Charles. Hoban was an original Timber from 1975. God, this is tough. I’ll give it to Charles and put Hoban in the honored spot on the bench.

Defender Selection: Liam Ridgewell, Larrys Mabiala, Clive Charles

Midfielders

Congratulations to Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, and Darlington Nagbe for being absolute shoo-ins. Before I talk about spot number 4, I think there are some oddities in this category. I think Santiago Moreno and Rodney Wallace are forwards. Either way, neither of them are in contention for the 4th spot. Jimmy Conway, John Bain, and Brian Gant are the only options here. I’ve heard Conway described as the club’s first DP, but I don’t think the longevity is there. Bain has one more appearance than Gant and 100 combined goal involvements. Gant has 30. Give me John Bain. It’s tough to pick between 3 Ring of Honor members, but I think every player in this midfield who got selected will get in the Ring of Honor if they haven’t already. What a loaded field.

Do not pick Evander. Yes, he had the best season in club history by stats, but it ended in the worst loss in club history as he pouted about his contract situation.

Midfield Selection: Diego Chara, Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, John Bain

Forwards

Sebastian Blanco and Fanendo Adi are the two shoo-ins. The all-time MLS goalscorer for the club combined with the club’s beating heart. Clyde Best, Dairon Asprilla, and Felipe Mora are the finalists for the 3rd spot. Asprilla’s longevity is the most impressive and his penchant for big moments makes it hard to ignore him. I think he is the poster child of a completely separate list. But he has been here for the club’s biggest moments. Best is a global legend. But is he a bigger Timber legend than Felipe Mora? That’s what’s so hard for me. I think Mora’s ability to recover from multiple injuries and surpass Blanco’s tally of 41 league goals is very impressive. In addition, I have recognized that I will never feel like I did after his MLS Cup equalizer in 2021. A singular emotion. Nothing will feel like that again. I think Mora has to get that final spot Asprilla and Best.

Forward Selections: Sebastian Blanco, Fanendo Adi, and Felipe Mora

Full Team

The Caveat: The Cult Hero XI

Simply put, there needs to be a cult hero option. Let’s fill that out in a 4-2-3-1.

Some of these USL players need recognition. Scot (with one T) Thompson made 159 appearances in 6 seasons. Get him in there. Byron Alvarez scored the most USL goals for the Timbers. Easy selection. Rodney Wallace had a case to make the actual team as a forward, but they classified him as a midfielder so he was doomed from the start. He has to be in this team. Eryk Williamson never got a proper run at the number 10 role during his time in Portland with Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Yimmi Chara (?) and Evander all ahead of him on the depth chart at various points. It’s only right that one of the most popular Timbers of the MLS era finally gets his chance to shine as an attacking midfielder in this XI.

Dairon Asprilla’s inclusion here is the most necessary. If the All-Time XI was set up in a 4-2-3-1, he’d make it in as the right winger. But, with only three forwards available, Mora’s case is stronger. I know that it makes little sense that a different formation would put the Chilean on the bench, but he has to be included in a positionless merit-based XI. Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to writing Dairon’s case for the Ring of Honor whenever his playing career ends. Since his return to Atletico Nacional, he’s won the Copa Columbia (including a massive goal in the first leg of the final, God bless Mr. October) and has begun the new season with 3g/2a in 13 matches across all competitions. Do not overthink it. He is a Ring of Honor player. You cannot tell the story of the Portland Timbers without him. And he is the captain of this Cult Hero XI.

The midfield is occupied by two players who do not fit the definition of a “cult hero” but deserve some reward for their lengthy Timbers careers. Jack Jewsbury was the club’s first captain in the MLS era and won MLS Cup with the team in 2015. It seems crazy that Cristhian Paredes has been a Timber for 8 years. He was finally awarded with the Supporter’s Player of the Year title in 2023 for his consistent performances alongside Diego Chara in the midfield. Would you be surprised if you learned that his English is outstanding? For his constant dependability and selfless work on the pitch, he gets the second midfield spot.

Everybody loves Zarek Valentin. Enough said. I’ve seen multiple XIs with Futty Danso included. When I was young, I participated in a Timbers soccer camp. Danso was a guest coach and made a lasting memory on a kid who started to get into the sport because of his local club. This is where he belongs. Right back was a difficult decision between Alvas Powell and Bill Tuiloma. But I chose Tuiloma because of his memorable free-kicks and attacking contributions as a player who primarily played center back. Like Valentin, he’s one of the most-loved Timbers of the MLS era.

If Asprilla isn’t the definition of a Timbers cult hero, I think Steve Clark definitely is. When you think of a player that you love when he’s on your team and despise when he’s on the opposition, Clark is the first one to pop into your mind. However, it isn’t his Portland career that makes him a shoo-in for the goalkeeper spot. Like Asprilla, Clark is forever linked with the number 27. In addition, his Timbers career was very good. He won MLS is Back, which is the most important trophy any American soccer team has ever won. As for the elephant in the room (don’t make me say it), I still blame the choice from the league to change the match ball. To my knowledge, it is the only time that the match ball has been changed specifically for a MLS Cup final. No, I don’t understand it either. But it does make a difference.

Final Thoughts

At the beginning of this article, I said that my XI would be “absolutely correct.” To me, that’s true, but all of y’all will probably disagree. That’s fine.

I’m really happy that the club did something like this purely for the debates that will arise. There isn’t a clear XI at any position, and opinions will be varied across the board. In the meantime, it gives Timbers fans a chance to remember all the players who made the past 50 years so special.

There are some notable players who did not make the cut (Maxi Urruti, Brian Fernandez, Gaston Fernandez, Norberto Paparatto, Vytas, and Kalif Alhassan) as well as some of my personal favorites who had no shot (Ishmael Yartey ((in this house, there is always a Yartey party)), Josecarlos Van Rankin, Michael Harrington, Ben Zemanski, Jose Adolfo Valencia, Lucas Melano for that flop alone, Marvin Loria, and Tomas Conechny). It’s just so fun to sit around and name former Timbers.

Except for Steven Taylor. He’s my least favorite Timber of all time. I don’t think it warrants any further explanation.

Voting closed yesterday, and I’d love to see what everyone’s teams look like! Drop yours in the comments below. If you don’t, Baldomero Toledo will show up to one of your dinner parties and give everybody a red card.