Travelling around the States over the last half of the MLS season, conversations would always turn to Caleb Porter. I’ve never met the man, but being based in Portland, I became a de facto expert. That expertise was always tested with the same question: Do you think Porter and the Timbers are going to go after his old Akron University guys?
Some background: Under Porter, Akron became an MLS talent factory. Fourteeen Zips have been selected over the last seven drafts. In 2011, five of the first eight picks with from Akron.
I don’t have any insight into what Portland and Porter are likely to do. All I see is a roster that needs to be reworked and a coach who has no track record in MLS. It’s a blank slate. There’s no basis for prognostication, which is how some chump writer becomes a sounding board for the Zips-to-Portland theory.
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It would be natural for the Akron alums to join former teammate Darlington Nagbe in the Pacific Northwest. Most of them are good players. Few of them have nailed down immutable spots in their teams. Some are starting to hit the market.
Take Blair Gavin, who is available in today’s Re-Entry Draft. The midfielder showed early flashes with Chivas USA, scoring three times in 16 games as a rookie in 2010. But then Chivas USA happened, and by mid-season 2012 he was in New England. Now Gavin hasn’t scored in two years, and in 45 career games, he only has five assists.
Somewhat surprisingly (given Gavin was only on the books for $60,000 last season), the Revolution have not picked up Gavin’s option. Some trade that was. Regardless, Gavin remains cheap and young (23 years old) – one of the better values in today’s draft, if you have faith you can reclaim him.
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In that sense, we may not get a feeling about a pro-Akron stance from Caleb Porter if Portland takes Gavin. He’s a good value for any team. Portland, who could use a few more midfield options, would be justified taking him regardless of their coach’s history.
However, if Gavin is taken today, you can combine that with the acquisition of Akron defender Bryan Gallego’s homegrown rights and see the narrative playing out. Maybe Portland will become an Akron enclave. Or, more innocently, maybe Porter will see himself as somebody who can guide careers like Gavin’s. Or Ben Zemanki’s. Or Zarek Valentin’s.
It will be interesting to see what happens at pick three in today’s draft, but keep in mind: Only five players have been taken in the two previous stage ones.
