Justin Thompson Officially Back. Who’s going to play left back?

By: Bob Kellett | March 25th, 2008

Merritt Paulson broke the news Monday evening that Justin Thompson would be returning to the Portland Timbers and lo and behold the owner was right. The Canadian defender has inked a one-year deal that will surely pay him less than he would make lugging livers around British Columbia, but will offer him the pleasure of knowing he has made everyone who roots for the Timbers pleased as a peach (whatever that means).

Thompson was a huge part of last year’s backline which pitched 14 shutouts. I would go as far as to say that he might have been the most valuable player of the 2007 squad. With his signing, the Timbers now have three-fourths of the backline returning. It is that last one-fourth where I’d like to focus our attention. Who’s going to play on the left?

We know that Scot Thompson is best suited playing out wide. He played in the middle a bit when Chris Agnello was tinkering with the team, but outside is where his speed and athleticism is best utilized. He is clearly a right foot dominant player. I don’t think moving him to the left is the way to go.

Cameron Knowles and Justin Thompson are both bruisers. They also both are lacking in foot speed. Central backs they are and central backs they must remain.

That leaves new pup Tim Karalexis, another right footed player who played in the center for Charleston last year. He is quoted in the Trib as saying:

“If I have to, I can play left center or left outside,” Karalexis says. “I’d rather be on the right side; I’m right-footed. But I feel comfortable on the left.”

Attaboy. I expect he will be getting a lot of work on that side during the rest of training camp. I am eager to see his throw-in skills. That is one thing that Charleston fans always talked about with Karalexis. Seems like that weapon would be best utilized if he plays on the outside as well.

Shaun Higgins also proved that he was capable of playing left back in a pinch last season, but I don’t think that is a 30-game solution. The pieces are starting to come together and I wouldn’t be surprised if another defender or two are signed in the coming weeks.

By the way, for those holding out hope that Leonard Griffin might be coming back on loan, here’s his current coach Sigi Schmid’s take:

The left back position is the biggest question mark. The team is bringing in 31-year-old Argentine left back Gino Padula, according to Schmid, but there are other options as well.

“The left side, we have had different people out there,” Schmid said. “Leonard Griffin has been out there, we’ve had Ryan Junge out there, Stefani Miglioranzi can play out there. Obviously that is the reason we are signing the left back.”

Not exactly a vote of confidence for Leo, I’d say.