Timbers Grab Bag 03.19.08

By: Bob Kellett | March 19th, 2008

Getting a little anxious for some real, actual, 100% certified player news? Yeah, me too, but the news coming from the Portland Timbers global headquarters has been merely a trickle since training camp opened up last week. It is worth noting that the 2007 training camp started on March 19 so even with the glaring holes on the current roster this year’s training is ahead of the game. While we wait for a couple of defenders and a couple of forwards and a goalkeeper or two to be signed, here are some odds and ends that you may or may not have seen already.

Castro won’t be pleased: There’s an unconfirmed and unsubstantiated rumor that Cuban U-23 goalkeeper Jose Manuel Miranda will wear the green and white this year. Miranda recently defected with four of his teammates while playing in a tournament in Florida. The paperwork to get this done is complex, but the Seattle Sounders managed to pull it off a few years back when Maykel Galindo played for them. I can’t say that I have much knowledge of Miranda other than seeing him play an excellent game against the United States before defecting. If nothing else signing him would generate a ton of media interest.

Former player news: Tom Taylor is on trial in Puerto Rico. Every year a Timbers player ends up playing for the Islanders. There must be something about playing in the rain in 50 degree temperatures that makes them think that playing in the rain with 95 degree temperatures is a better alternative. It is also worth noting that Josh Saunders isn’t listed as being in the Islanders camp so he may or may not be available. So let’s say Josh Wicks doesn’t come back and the Cuban thing doesn’t pan out. Could we see the return on Saunders between the posts…? I’m not holding my breath.

More former player news: Someone told me that Kevin Meissner is kicking it in Mexico, but they couldn’t say which club he is kicking it with. Yuri Morales has been on trial with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Meet and greet 1: I posted this in the comments yesterday, but in case you missed it you can listen to Merritt Paulson speak about the future of the Timbers/Beavers on Monday, March 24 at Bridgeport Brewing in NW Portland. Cost is $20 and that includes some pints and some grub and the opportunity to shed a tear remembering when the Bridgeport in NW was a cool place to hang.

Meet and greet 2: You will apparently have the opportunity to meet and greet and do other fun things with the 2008 Timbers players on Thursday, April 3 at Kells at 7pm. I make it a rule to never step foot in Kells two weeks before or two weeks after St. Patrick’s Day so this event just squeezes by.

Attention eBay shoppers: Get a life. Just kidding. Get a retro Timbers bag and then get a life. This item caught my eye the other day. The image of Timber Jim using it to carry his bowling ball around in the 70s came to mind. The price is pretty cheap now so bid early and bid often (not that I have any financial interest in this thing at all, just thought it looked cool and I am too broke to buy anything not related to my wedding).