PORTLAND, Ore. – Caleb Porter isn’t necessarily known for “playing his kids.”
The Portland Timbers head coach has consistently built his team around veteran talent, whether that’s drawn from long-time MLS players like Nat Borchers, Jack Jewsbury and Will Johnson, for example, or experienced international stars like Diego Valeri, Diego Chara and Fanendo Adi.
In a few spots on the field, however, there has been a little more of a youth movement in the Rose City. Not only did they sign 22-year-old Argentine Lucas Melano to a Designated Player contract in July, Porter has also increasingly relied on 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick George Fochive in central midfield.
The 23-year-old former University of Connecticut star has started the last two games alongside Jewsbury in Porter’s 4-2-3-1 formation, giving him seven appearances (all starts) this season, the most of any player drafted by Porter in his three seasons at the helm.
“I know there’s a lot of talk around the league always when young guys step in, and I think George is a guy who has not been talked about much this year,” Porter said. “And I think he deserves a lot of credit for the season he’s had when he’s stepped in.”
Porter especially heaped praise on Fochive’s last two appearances, coming after not being used since late May. He led a shutdown defensive performance last Wednesday in the Timbers’ scoreless draw against Sporting Kansas City, helping limit them to just two shots on target.
And despite a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders on Aug. 30, Porter also credited Fochive’s work again in limiting them to just three shots on goal and only one goal from the run of play (their game-winning goal came via a penalty kick).
“The nerves are gone,” Fochive said after the Sporting Kansas City draw. “I’m very comfortable with the guys, with the team. I think whenever I’m picked to help the team I’m up for it, and I just want it to keep going.
“Every young player wants to grow and become a dominant player, and my goal is to definitely be a big player soon and be able to dominate the midfield against a lot of teams.”
Fochive’s role with the team is partly out of necessity – with the depth at defensive mid depleted with the season-long injury to Ben Zemanski in the preseason – and his development. Fochive started the last two games due to captain Johnson missing a game to rest his recovered broken leg and then departing for national team duty with Canada and Chara serving a two-game suspension.
In his gaps between featuring for the first team, Fochive has spent time with the team’s USL affiliate Timbers 2. In eight games, all starts, he has four goals in performances Porter described as “dominating.” His time there has allowed him to continue his development as he awaits for his chance with the first team, Porter said.
“I think there’s a real benefit of having some time down with T2, where in terms of the level it’s not quite as good but for him now to gain a lot of confidence, where he can get on the ball, boss the game, go and tackle and feel like he’s dominating the pitch,” Porter said. “The best players in the center of the park, especially the holding mid, they have that feeling that they can boss the pitch. And he’s had that feeling with T2. … In terms of his confidence, the quick adjustment is a lot easier because he’s been at that level and he can make that adjustment a lot easier. But the confidence is higher than it was earlier in the year because he’s played at T2.”
Fochive’s best performances have also come alongside Jewsbury. The two have started together four times, and Porter said their respective styles are complimentary, with Jewsbury the veteran who has positional on-ball savvy and Fochive's youthful athleticism that can cover ground and make challenges.
“Whether that’s in games or on the training field we have a good understanding of what’s expected in that position and what our role is,” Jewsbury said. “And I think we’re a pretty good pairing, we played off each other really well.”
Fochive said Jewsbury’s veteran presence adds to his comfort level.
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“Very comfortable with him,” Fochive said. “He gives me a lot of reassurance on the ball. He’s able to keep the ball very well, and I’m able to push on it and win some balls. He’s right behind me every time, I’m right behind every time. You know, when you do the job together it’s a lot more fun.”
With Chara and Johnson expected back for the Timbers’ next matchup, Sunday at home against the New York Red Bulls, Fochive will likely return to the bench. But there’s little question as to whether he’ll be called upon again in the stretch run and Portland pushing for the playoffs.
“I think his game has really gone through a nice rhythm this year, and he’s developed,” Porter said. “And I think the guys, in terms of respect they have for him, which is a big part of playing well, they like him in there, and they have confidence in him, trust in him. He’s a hard guy, which you need, he wins balls, he wasn’t intimidated, he was kicking [Sounders star striker Obafemi] Martins and all the guys, which is what you want to see out of a young player that they’re not intimidated or in awe of that caliber players. So I think we’re really pleased with him this year.”
Dan Itel covers the Timbers for MLSsoccer.com.
