More Utah Influence for Timbers

So that we can get last Saturday behind us, I'm going to focus on something totally unrelated for the time being - the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division, which is the second division in the US professional ranks.

It started with the acquisition of former RSL assistant and Blitzz boss Chris Agnello, and now that their roster is becoming more and more familiar I would have to say that, after being aware of the leagues existence for several years, I have finally picked an second division team to follow.

As one of the most widely blogged about teams of the lower divisions, information about the Timbers is quite plentiful.

One such blog, timberblog, I came across in the SoccerBlogs.net aggregator. Agnello's name caught my eye and I followed the link to a post about a scrimmage. In there you find that after being jettisoned by RSL Luke Kreamalmeyer has resurfaced with the Timbers (pictured here at the scrimmage, photo courtesy of SoccerCityUSA.com) . From all accounts from the Timbers fans who saw him at the the scrimmage, they're salivating to have the former RSL midfielder in Portland.

Also spotted was a player known only to those in attendance as "Sergio." It was discovered by the timberblog that it was Sergio Flores. The difference with Sergio than Kreamalmeyer is that Luke is signed and Flores is not. The Smithfield native may only be training with the Timbers until he goes back to the Bolivian league.

UPDATE: It was later decided that it was not Sergio Flores, but another Sergio.

Another blast from the past is former Utah Blitzz member Jacobi Goodfellow, pictured below in a Blitzz uniform playing in a 2004 US Open Cup match against the Timbers on June 30th in Salt Lake. The Timbers beat the Blitzz that night. He has apparently signed with the Timbers.
Not surprising that Agnello is going with some guys that he knows. It's causing me to take interest and wondering if I can sneak a trip out to Portland this summer.