Still think he’s better than the mls (horrendous viewing from what I saw last year), but I just hope he manages to get out to Europe at some point, got plenty of time. He’s definitely got the talent and if the timbers have paid a decent fee, well no qualms there at all. Will be interested to see how he gets on but I do hope that’s the last of our outgoings 😂
I just saw the quote that each of Surman, AP, and Old each sold for more than any previous player. With that in mind do we know the transfers paid for previous players so we can work it out? I’m guessing it would be one of Cacace, Singh, McKain, and Waine.
I just saw the quote that each of Surman, AP, and Old each sold for more than any previous player. With that in mind do we know the transfers paid for previous players so we can work it out? I’m guessing it would be one of Cacace, Singh, McKain, and Waine.
Cacace was the most before around 1.2 mil. So I'd assume Old and Surman would be around the 1.5 mark?
Still think he’s better than the mls (horrendous viewing from what I saw last year), but I just hope he manages to get out to Europe at some point, got plenty of time. He’s definitely got the talent and if the timbers have paid a decent fee, well no qualms there at all. Will be interested to see how he gets on but I do hope that’s the last of our outgoings 😂
The MLS is a big level above the ALM now. Every couple of weeks he'll come up against someone like Messi, Suarez (both Miami), Christian Benteke (at DC United). Proper litmus tests. Every other week some tricky Latino player(s).
But Surman will start with Timbers II in MLS Next Pro. Is older 3-4 CBs ahead of him at Portland. He'll need to bide his time. Neville will have a plan for him.
If Rollo is to be believed, they've paid more than $1 million NZD (edit: as wilbaker says above, probably even as much as $1 million USD) for him. They are surely anticipating playing him in the first team in the coming months, otherwise why not wait and get him in January when they could get him much cheaper, and would arrive in time for the MLS preseason?
If Rollo is to be believed, they've paid more than $1 million NZD (edit: as wilbaker says above, probably even as much as $1 million USD) for him. They are surely anticipating playing him in the first team in the coming months, otherwise why not wait and get him in January when they could get him much cheaper, and would arrive in time for the MLS preseason?
Its possible that they see something in him and therefore consider it a good business decision. They were probably aware of other interest in him and knew he would go this transfer window. Also, why wait another year only to find yourself competing with other much more attractive Euro sides if you really want the player
If Rollo is to be believed, they've paid more than $1 million NZD (edit: as wilbaker says above, probably even as much as $1 million USD) for him. They are surely anticipating playing him in the first team in the coming months, otherwise why not wait and get him in January when they could get him much cheaper, and would arrive in time for the MLS preseason?
Its possible that they see something in him and therefore consider it a good business decision. They were probably aware of other interest in him and knew he would go this transfer window. Also, why wait another year only to find yourself competing with other much more attractive Euro sides if you really want the player
Neville may even think he can develop him enough in the MLS for an eventual move to the EPL, Nellie like
Neville looks & sounds welcoming. Did I hear 'we are gonna need ya'???
The little group of Latino players in the lunch room a bit less enthusiatic & warm. He should start learning some basic Spanish words to fit in. Plus grow a thick skin if some of them get sulky seeing him as a threat to their spot
Boxy in France will be able to give him a few tips on how a MLS dressing room can work. Sounds like there can often be little Latino v Anglophone cliques. Portland have about 12-13 South/Central Americans in their squad.
Thats a name from the past... where is he now a days?
Injuries really hurt his career. Did he get an All Whites cap??
Gleeson played 8 times for the All Whites. Not sure if he'd have much positive stuff to say about his time at the Timbers, given it was a botched surgery following an injury that led him to forced retirement, and apparently a lot of pain. I recall him suing either the club or the medical practice
I wonder if he spoke to Jake Gleeson who was there for a number of years?
Unlikely. Maybe Bill Tuiloma who of course is a former Portland CB
Last we heard about Glesson is he had lodged a big financial claim against the Timbers and their medical team. Claimed they were responsible for a serious of botched surgeries (I think on his knee) which effectively lead to him having to retire early. Quite a sad story, as Gleeson when starting in the MLS looked a long term AW keeper.
I was going to suggest maybe Surman had spoken to ex AW Gavin Wilkinson who I thought was still GM at Portland. But then read that Wilkison got sacked by the Timbers in 2022, after a club enquiry that included allegations he covered for a former Portland Thorns NWSL coach accused of sexual misconduct.
Wilkinson had a very short stint at Sporting Kansas in January this year. But looks like he's now jobless. From Wiki
Wilkinson was hired by Sporting Kansas City in January 2024 to serve as the club's sporting director.[11] On 19 January 2024, Wilkinson and Sporting Kansas City "mutually agreed" to release Wilkinson from his role with SKC.[12]
Thats a name from the past... where is he now a days?
Injuries really hurt his career. Did he get an All Whites cap??
Gleeson played 8 times for the All Whites. Not sure if he'd have much positive stuff to say about his time at the Timbers, given it was a botched surgery following an injury that led him to forced retirement, and apparently a lot of pain. I recall him suing either the club or the medical practice
Yeah stress fractures in his shins. Got one surgery which didn’t go well, ended up having to get 11 total surgeries.
Ended his career and left him in a lot of pain, he sued the club’s physicians for malpractice and negligence. $15m NZD lawsuit, not sure what’s happened since that came to light in 2020.
If true (I have nfi the sauce quality but he posts a ton of Timbers stuff) but that fits in with what Rollo mentioned in his article.
Was hoping he would have a blinder with so many future supporters watching, sadly it didn't happen.
I'm not a Nix watcher, but he's never impressed for the AWs at full or age-group level. $500kUSD? Get in!
He's been very, very good at age group level and more than solid in his All Whites appearances.
Badly at fault for the 4th goal vs USA, should have done better with the first. If you want to be a pro, you gotta do more
I mean... he is a pro though, and he will be for a long time. He had a shocking game, but he's been so damn consistently great, it was bound to happen eventually. Unfortunate obviously though, given it was such a high stakes match. Tough lesson but I'd back the guy to learn from it
If true (I have nfi the sauce quality but he posts a ton of Timbers stuff) but that fits in with what Rollo mentioned in his article.
Was hoping he would have a blinder with so many future supporters watching, sadly it didn't happen.
I'm not a Nix watcher, but he's never impressed for the AWs at full or age-group level. $500kUSD? Get in!
He's been very, very good at age group level and more than solid in his All Whites appearances.
Badly at fault for the 4th goal vs USA, should have done better with the first. If you want to be a pro, you gotta do more
I mean... he is a pro though, and he will be for a long time. He had a shocking game, but he's been so damn consistently great, it was bound to happen eventually. Unfortunate obviously though, given it was such a high stakes match. Tough lesson but I'd back the guy to learn from it
That is true - and you make good points. I have seen him make some pretty bad errors in the past in a white shirt (my memory tells me in his AW debut - or soon thereafter?). I really don't see much difference between Surman or Pijnaker.
If true (I have nfi the sauce quality but he posts a ton of Timbers stuff) but that fits in with what Rollo mentioned in his article.
Was hoping he would have a blinder with so many future supporters watching, sadly it didn't happen.
I'm not a Nix watcher, but he's never impressed for the AWs at full or age-group level. $500kUSD? Get in!
He's been very, very good at age group level and more than solid in his All Whites appearances.
Badly at fault for the 4th goal vs USA, should have done better with the first. If you want to be a pro, you gotta do more
I mean... he is a pro though, and he will be for a long time. He had a shocking game, but he's been so damn consistently great, it was bound to happen eventually. Unfortunate obviously though, given it was such a high stakes match. Tough lesson but I'd back the guy to learn from it
That is true - and you make good points. I have seen him make some pretty bad errors in the past in a white shirt (my memory tells me in his AW debut - or soon thereafter?). I really don't see much difference between Surman or Pijnaker.
But, y'know......I'm no Maldini.......
Well I hope you're wrong, for both of us! Don't want Surman nearing his prime while plodding away in the Irish league. It's wild the way things pan out, about 5 years ago it really felt like the Singh/Bell/McCowatt/Just/Pijnaker generation could really have a shot at becoming something pretty special.
Singh I still have hopes for, but the others could well have found their career ceiling, which I think a lot of people thought would be a lot higher than what has played out. Can't believe they're all around 25 now. Hopefully the current young crop of Stamenic/Paulsen/Old/Garbett/Bindon/Surman can follow more of a Libby-esque trajectory instead.
If true (I have nfi the sauce quality but he posts a ton of Timbers stuff) but that fits in with what Rollo mentioned in his article.
Was hoping he would have a blinder with so many future supporters watching, sadly it didn't happen.
I'm not a Nix watcher, but he's never impressed for the AWs at full or age-group level. $500kUSD? Get in!
He's been very, very good at age group level and more than solid in his All Whites appearances.
Badly at fault for the 4th goal vs USA, should have done better with the first. If you want to be a pro, you gotta do more
I mean... he is a pro though, and he will be for a long time. He had a shocking game, but he's been so damn consistently great, it was bound to happen eventually. Unfortunate obviously though, given it was such a high stakes match. Tough lesson but I'd back the guy to learn from it
That is true - and you make good points. I have seen him make some pretty bad errors in the past in a white shirt (my memory tells me in his AW debut - or soon thereafter?). I really don't see much difference between Surman or Pijnaker.
But, y'know......I'm no Maldini.......
Well I hope you're wrong, for both of us! Don't want Surman nearing his prime while plodding away in the Irish league. It's wild the way things pan out, about 5 years ago it really felt like the Singh/Bell/McCowatt/Just/Pijnaker generation could really have a shot at becoming something pretty special.
Singh I still have hopes for, but the others could well have found their career ceiling, which I think a lot of people thought would be a lot higher than what has played out. Can't believe they're all around 25 now. Hopefully the current young crop of Stamenic/Paulsen/Old/Garbett/Bindon/Surman can follow more of a Libby-esque trajectory instead.
I think that just shows how tough it is being a professional footballer. They are still all making money playing the sport they love. There are only really a few who can make it to the "elite" level. We have to remember we are a tiny country who plays rugby, so the odds of developing top players is even more against us.
36 yr old Larrys Mabiala (37 in Oct & good mate of Tuiloma), has retired mid season. Bit of a legend at Portland, this his 8th season at the club.
Helps open up the CB spots for Surman, but there are still 3-4 experienced central defenders at the club, and can see him definitely starting off with the Timbers II team in MLS Next Pro. His shaky performances at the Olympics won't have helped
Timbers II playing today at San Jose Earthquakes II, but no Surman. They play later this week back in Portland when he might be a chance of making an appearance.
The first team play this Saturday morning in the Leagues Cup. They won their last game in this comp, 4-0 over Colorado Rapids. Mabiala's farewell. Surman might well go straight into the first team squad, who knows.
It's a 2.5 year deal, running to the end of 2026 MLS season, with an extra one year option also for the 2027 season.
But as with anyone there is an adjustment period, and he's coming in at a tricky time with the MLS season 3/4 over. Only 9 games left before finals. Timbers are 8th in the Western Conference, 1 spot off the playoffs. Every game from now onwards do or die really.
Surman will be match fit after playing plenty of mins in the heat of Vanuatu & France. Helps that MLS doesn't start again until 25th August, so he'll get in a mini pre season before then. That's a bonus. Timbers are in the Leagues Cup Round of 32.
But it's a whole new team, and new league at a level above the ALM. Can see him playing a few reserve team games, mixed in with hopefully being on the bench for Leagues Cup & MLS games. He'll definitely train with the first team squad. That's who he's signed with. Mabiala retiring opens the door a bit, though Mabiala was really out of the first team picture now anyway.
Timbers II host Austin II in MLS Next Pro tomorrow.
Whilst the first team travel to St Louis for a Leagues Cup game Saturday morning our time.
Can't yet see any training videos of Surman on either team's Twitter accounts. Turns out veteran Mabiala hasn't retired, but left Portland by mutual consent. A sign that Surman is being brought in to be around the first team immediately you'd suspect. Though again Mabiala hadn't been in a first team match day squad for a few months.
