BEAVERTON, Ore. — The lineup challenges continue for Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter.
When the Timbers travel to Vancouver on Saturday to face the Whitecaps, they will be without starting right back Alvas Powell and might be without midfielder Jack Jewsbury.
Powell has been called up to Jamaica’s national team for a pair of international matches. Jewsbury was experiencing some concussion-like symptoms following the game at Kansas City and did not train with the Timbers on Tuesday.
Porter said that Jewsbury took a ball to the head in the match at Sporting Kansas City and will undergo some testing, but might be available to play this week if he clears those tests.
If healthy, Jewsbury might be one option to play right back against Vancouver — though the veteran has been filling in at holding midfield in the absence of Will Johnson and Ben Zemanski. George Fochive, who played alongside Jewsbury in the season opener, would be the likely choice to start alongside Diego Chara at Vancouver if Jewsbury is sidelined.
Porter did not comment following Tuesday’s training session about possible lineup options.
“We’re kind of in that groove of ‘Just deal with it.’ And we’ve dealt with (the absences) well,” he said.
The vacancy at right back could provide an opportunity for second-year defender Taylor Peay to make his MLS debut. Or perhaps the Timbers officially sign veteran Danny O’Rourke, who has been with the club throughout preseason. O’Rourke filled in at both right back and center back last season.
While the Timbers will miss Powell — Porter noted that international absences are reality for all MLS clubs — the chance to spend more time with a national team will only boost the 20-year-old’s confidence, Porter said.
The Timbers are expected to make several roster moves official this week. Portland’s United Soccer Leagues team, Timbers 2, plays its first league match on Sunday so that roster should be clarified this week.
Porter on Tuesday declined to confirm or to deny reports that the Timbers have acquired Ghanaian forward Ishmael Yartey. A 25-year-old wing player, Yartey has seen limited playing time this season with FC Scion of Switzerland.
Porter has said the Timbers might add another attacking player.
Reflecting on Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Sporting Kansas City, Porter said his team put in another solid performance.
“Perspective always in a 0-0 game is going to be that it was a defensive game. But both teams pressed. Both teams had the ball,” Porter said. “We didn’t sit back whatsoever — we pressed all game. We had nearly 50 percent possession against a team that is used to carrying the game.”
