Portland has bolstered its attacking ranks by negotiating a loan deal with Benevento of Italy’s Serie A for Samuel Armenteros. In the deal that includes a buy option, the Timbersused TAM to sign Armenteros, 27, who had scored one goal in nine appearances for Benevento during the current season. He arrived in Italy after hitting […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Savarese is learning quickly — no umbrellas in Portland
Giovanni Savarese came prepared for his job interview with the Portland Timbers that went a long way toward impressing management that he should take over for Caleb Porter astheir head coach. What the former New York Cosmos coach didn’t realize until three days ago was how he should get around rainy Portland. “Yesterday, I went […]
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What They're Saying: Merritt Paulson
“In this ultra-competitive, cut-throat world of pro soccer, it’s pretty rare when you talk to former players and owners… and you get nothing but positives about someone. That’s the case with thisguy. It really is. He’s a special individual. He has a quiet confidence and charisma that’s rare, not just in soccer, but in this […]
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Llamosa and Valencia join Savarese on Portland Timbers' staff
Former U.S. World Cup defender Carlos Llamosa and Colombian goalkeeper coach Memo Valencia will join new Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese on his technical staff afterhaving worked with him at the New York Cosmos. Llamosa, who represented the USA at the 2002 World Cup, was an assistant for Savarese during four seasons at the […]
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Julio Cascante joins Tico colony in Portland
The Portland Timbers’ first signing since hiring Giovanni Savarese as head coach is Costa Rican central defender Julio Cascante. The Timbers used Targeted Allocation Moneyto complete the transfer from Saprissa. Cascante, 24, is the third Tico the Timbers have signed in the last 12 months after David Guzman and Roy Miller, also acquired fromSaprissa. Cascante […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Left Backs/Wingbacks): Morrow's work in dominant Toronto FC season rates top billing
The versatility shown by Justin Morrow, one of two outside backs to leave San Jose and wind up in Toronto, is just one example of why MLS teams are morewilling to use different alignments in the back. The left back in a standard four-man backline could be shuttled forward, a la Morrow, to play the […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Right Backs/Wingbacks): Zusi holds firm against younger foes
A few more MLS teams than in past seasons are deviating from the standard four-man back line, yet for the most part the right back is same as he ever was. The big money spent by manyteams on TAM attackers, however, has made life tougher for the wide defenders. To get more of them on […]
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Portland Timbers confirm 'intelligent, attack-minded' Savarese as new head coach
A week before Christmas the Portland Timbers organization and its fans received news to make their holidays bright. Former Venezuelan international and ex-Cosmos head coach GiovanniSavarese has been hired to take over the reins from Caleb Porter, who ended a successful five-year run when he resigned in November. Savarese, 46, played for three MLS teams […]
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MLS Positional Rankings (Attacking midfielders): Valeri's MVP season takes him to the top
The rapid expansion of MLS — it has nearly doubled in size during the past decade — has opened up more slots for attacking midfielders and produced a wider array of styles as well. Someare much like second forwards who rack up more goals than assists. Some produce nearly equal figures in those departments. And […]
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Giovanni Savarese: 'It was the right time for a new challenge'
Reached by telephone Wednesday night, former Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese talked willingly and didn’t contradict reports of his pending hire by another team in another league. His departure from the NASLCosmos had been officially announced earlier in the day and he didn’t directly address negotiations to take over as head coach of the Portland […]