BEAVERTON — After his first training session with the Portland Timbers, Lucas Melano said he is ready to play.
That could happen as soon as Saturday’s match in Frisco, Texas, against F.C. Dallas.
“I think he’ll be available and we’ll probably use him,” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said on Monday after the new Timbers Designated Player participated in his first training session with the club.
The Timbers acquired the 22-year-old forward from Lanus of Argentina last week, Melano arrived in Portland on Friday and attended the club’s 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.
“I thought the fans were amazing. It’s an incredible experience,” Melano said through translator Diego Basabe. “I got to see it from outside the pitch. I’m looking forward to experiencing it on the pitch.”
Porter is looking forward to having Melano’s speed and athletic ability to worry opposing coaches and defenders.
“He’s a guy that if he’s behind the back four, you’re not catching him,” Porter said. “I think that threat will help open up space for others. I think the opponent will have to worry about him looking to run behind and creating off the dribble.”
Melano echoed Porter’s assessment.
“One of my greatest assets is my speed, and then also that I can play anywhere on the front line, inside, outside or on either wing,” he said. “We have a lot of players with good touch on the ball. I think we can collaborate well, get a ball behind and use the speed to get behind the defense.”
Porter compared Melano to Gyassi Zardes of Los Angeles and Fabian Castillo of Dallas — players who have developed into consistent attackers who hurt opponents with speed and skill.
“I won’t say he’s going to be as good as those guys right now. Because it took a while for Zardes, it took a while for Castillo to make a difference, to make an impact like they’re making,” Porter said.
One Timbers player who hopes Melano can find his stride quickly is fellow Argentine Diego Valeri. Valeri welcomed Melano to Portland with a tour of the city and a visit to Valeri’s home. Valeri said Melano asked him about the city, the club and the people.
“I don’t need to say a lot, because he will see for himself (how) beautiful is this, and how amazing is this club. So he has to train well, because we want to get a trophy this year and he can help us,” Valeri said.
Valeri did not previously know Melano, but said that former teammates with Lanus had good things to say about the newest Timber.
“I don’t think he will help (only) me. I think he will help the team,” Valeri said. “Obviously, we know that he is very fast so as a team we will try to help him. We need to support the players who can change the game.”
Melano said that his move to Portland from Lanus happened quickly.
“I wanted to come here. There was a lot of Argentines on the team as well which would help with my adaptation,” Melano said.
The deal done, Porter said the coaches and trainers will assess Melano’s fitness before putting him into a match.
“We’ll work him along the right way, but we won’t wait too long, either,” Porter said.
Melano will wear No. 26. Midfielder George Fochive, who was No. 26, will now wear 5.
Timbers waive Tshuma — Forward Schillo Tshuma, who the Timbers drafted last year, was waived by the club on Monday. The 22-year-old played in 10 games for T2 this season but never played in a Timbers regular-season match.
