ECNL is dead

[Unregistered]

You sure the best boys went to Timbers DA? How come NONE of them have ever played for the Timbers then? Portland Timbers - ONLY team in the MLS with ZERO homegrown players. And you think it's a good idea that they control youth soccer in Oregon?

True. Not impressed with the Homegrown Player Rule anyhow. Portland has more exemptions because they can't find enough local talent?! The Timbers are allowed to sign players from OR, WA (Vancouver+), ID, NM.

The Timbers DA is supposedly in place to set up the first team by 2020. Four years left to test Gavin's plan.

Prior to the DA, two local players signed Homegrown Player contracts:Steve Evans and Brent Richards; both of whom happened to play for Gavin at Eastside.

Not being signed Homegrown isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Timbers have had other opportunities but chose not sign other locals who went on to play in the MLS, including Westside's Danny Mwanga, and Erik Hurtado.

The TA DA program has or has had other players that are doing well...elsewhere. The scouting from youth clubs helps the TA DA dream but some players do sign elsewhere and some choose to go back to their club teams. It will be interesting to see how many of the 8 spots, or whatever number there will be since it varies by the year, will be used to sign OR/WA local area players.

[Unregistered]

True. Not impressed with the Homegrown Player Rule anyhow. Portland has more exemptions because they can't find enough local talent?! The Timbers are allowed to sign players from OR, WA (Vancouver+), ID, NM.

The Timbers DA is supposedly in place to set up the first team by 2020. Four years left to test Gavin's plan.

Prior to the DA, two local players signed Homegrown Player contracts:Steve Evans and Brent Richards; both of whom happened to play for Gavin at Eastside.

Not being signed Homegrown isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Timbers have had other opportunities but chose not sign other locals who went on to play in the MLS, including Westside's Danny Mwanga, and Erik Hurtado.

The TA DA program has or has had other players that are doing well...elsewhere. The scouting from youth clubs helps the TA DA dream but some players do sign elsewhere and some choose to go back to their club teams. It will be interesting to see how many of the 8 spots, or whatever number there will be since it varies by the year, will be used to sign OR/WA local area players.

Mwanga and Hurtado finished playing High School in 2008 and 2009 respectively they were never eligible to be considered a Timbers homegrown player the Timbers didn't even exist.,, during their youth soccer club days.

Both were Westside metros players and went on to be PAC 12 and WCC players of the year.. both became top draft choices in the MLS superdraft Mwanga 2010 and Hurtado in 20 13..

Portland did trade for Mwanga in 2012 and he played a year under Spencer and Gavin then was traded to Colorado upon Caleb Porter's arrival.,, so they had a chance to get both players but they can never be considered homegrown players just players from the local market developed at another club