Mikaël Silvestre On Trial in Portland
January 22nd, 2013 by Michael Orr
Strangely, Mikaël Silvestre is on trial with the Portland Timbers as of this morning. The 35-year old former French international arrived late last night and is apparently hoping to be signed by the Timbers for the 2013 season. While the club contemplates, on financial grounds, the future of winger Franck Songo’o, Silvestre enters the roster picture as perhaps one of the reasons for the Songo’o hesitation. The 6′ central defender last played for France in 2006 and spent the 2011/12 season with Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. He has been without a club since May. Yet Porter spoke highly of him after today’s training session and expects Silvestre to be with the club for several weeks as they decide his and their future.
I know you assumed he won’t be on the roster, but how would he fit if MP finds a way to afford him? I don’t like going into a new season with the same two CBs from last year’s terrible team. I would love to have a high level veteran like Silvestre in here to teach our young guys how to play the position. AJB and Tucker-Gagnes need someone better than Horst or Mosquera to learn from.
Even at 35/36, Silvestre is probably better than Futty, so he’d be a useful addition in that respect. Still seems more unlikely than likely to me, but to me it will all come down to money. There are roster and international spots now open.