BEAVERTON, Ore. – There has been quite the steady flow of Argentine players to the Portland Timbers over the last few years, and that well doesn’t appear to be drying up anytime soon.
Reports out of South America have linked Lanus forward Lucas Melano to the Timbers, who already feature four Argentines on their roster. And while head coach Caleb Porter didn’t confirm the authenticity of those reports when asked specifically about Melano at the team’s training session on Wednesday, he did say an announcement was in the works.
“I can’t confirm or deny any of those rumors, but hopefully soon,” Porter said. “…I don’t think it will be a huge surprise.”
The addition of Melano would not only add to the Argentine flair of the team but also to a very deep attacking corps.
He would join forwards Fanendo Adi and countryman Maximiliano Urruti, both of whom have started atop Porter’s 4-2-3-1 formation. The Timbers also go two deep at the winger positions with starters Darlington Nagbe and Rodney Wallace backed up by Dairon Asprilla and Argentine Gaston Fernandez, who also doubles as a second forward/attacking midfielder.
Portland’s most famous Argentine, 2013 MLS Newcomer of the Year Diego Valeri, also last played at Lanús before coming to the Rose City.
“I think we’ve been smart with trying to keep enough continuity so that we get consistent performances but also methodical rotating to maintain freshness,” Porter said when asked how he would balance such a deep attacking roster. “And for the most part we’ve done that very well.”
