Brent Richards made a sharp cut during a mid-July training session, felt his hamstring sting, and thought the worst.
“I was pretty scared,” Richards said. “I thought I’d torn or strained it really bad. Thankfully it wasn’t that bad.”
Richards can be forgiven for fearing the worst. Since suffering a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee January of 2013, the Camas High School graduate has spent more time watching soccer than playing the game. Multiple knee surgeries kept him from playing in 2013 or 2014. The restart to his playing career with Timbers 2 — Portland’s United Soccer League team — has been interrupted twice by injuries.
The latest was that tender hamstring, which first bothered him during a match in Vancouver, British Columbia. Three weeks after that scare during a T2 practice, Richards is again training at full speed, waiting for his next chance to contribute to Timbers 2 as the team makes a late-season playoff push.
“I’ve had more than enough sideline time, enough rehabbing time for any player. So any time I’m sitting out of training it’s pretty tough,” Richards said. “Sometimes it gets me down, but just got to keep pushing through.”
Richards has played in 10 of T2’s 22 matches. He has been used as both a right back and on the right wing and has scored one goal.
A natural forward who starred for Camas High, the University of Washington and the Timbers under-23s, playing right back has been an adjustment for Richards.
“When I’m attacking, I know what to do and how to manipulate the defender,” Richards said. “On the flip side, it’s been challenging.”
Timbers 2 coach Jay Vidovich understands that Richards is better suited for attacking, that right back isn’t likely to be the position where he flourishes. But Vidovich appreciates Richards willingness to step in when the team needed help on defense.
“He brings an honest commitment to defending and attacking,” Vidovich said. “He’s committed to try and score goals. He runs off the ball. He runs hard and decisively. And defensively he’s willing to work back and help out the team. Those qualities alone have really helped us out.”
T2 is primarily a developmental team for the Portland Timbers. Players from the Major League Soccer team are sometimes sent to play for T2 to get needed game time.
With playing time at a premium, Richards is happy to play any position.
“I’ve been kind of all over the place. It’s kind of fun,” he said.
Richards scored the only goal in a 3-1 loss at Colorado Springs on June 10. But it was difficult to savor because, he said, his defensive positioning mistake contributed to the Switchbacks’ second goal.
Four days later Richards played well in a 3-1 home win over the Austin Aztex.
“His play against Austin at home was fantastic. It was a big key to why we won that game,” Vidovich said.
The coach said Richards has handled his personal setbacks well.
“I think he knows that we have confidence in him. When he gets his opportunities he stays at it,” Vidovich said. “Obviously he’s done a good job with the rehab process from his first injury. Here he just keeps getting after it. He does it very professionally and knows he’s going to get his chance.”
A chance is what Richards thirsts for. His repaired knee, though occasionally painful, is stable and has not sidelined him this season.
“Mentally it’s been ups and downs. When I’m injured, pretty down. When I’m not injured, I’m happy,” Richards said. “I’m ecstatic to still be in Portland. I grew up here. I like my teammates. I like my coaches. When I’m playing I’m happy.”
About Timbers 2
Portland Timbers 2 (8-12-2) are ninth in the 12-team USL Western Conference. The top six teams make the playoffs. Four of the six remaining T2 matches are at home.
Next match: Whitecaps 2 at T2, 7 p.m. on Aug. 16 at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field.
