For most players, the jump from college soccer to Major League Soccer takes time. But Nick Besler, the Portland Timbers first-round pick in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft, might be the exception according to Timbers coach Caleb Porter.
“Nick is one of the more MLS-ready guys,” Porter said.
The Timbers selected the Notre Dame team captain with the fifth overall selection. A defensive midfielder, Besler could prove valuable early this season while Will Johnson recovers from his broken leg.
A four-year player who helped Notre Dame win a national championship, Besler is the brother of Sporting Kansas City and United States national team central defender Matt Besler. He said he is excited to join the Timbers and to play in front of the Timbers Army.
“I’m super excited to get out there and get started working toward the goal of winning MLS Cup,” Besler said.
The Timbers made four selections on the first day of the MLS SuperDraft, which was held in Philadelphia. They have one pick in Tuesday’s conclusion of the draft. The Timbers selections might all start the season with the Timbers new USL Pro team, Timbers 2. But Porter said filling the T2 roster was not a factor in Thursday’s picks.
With their second pick, 24th overall, the Timbers took left back Andy Thoma from Washington. In the second round, the Timbers selected forwards Christian Volesky out of Southern Illinois Edwardsville and Kharlton Belmar out of Virginia Commonwealth. Besler, a native of Overland Park, Kan., said his style of play fits well with the Porter’s system.
“I think it suits my game very well,” said Besler, who played against a Porter-coached Akron team while at Notre Dame. “I’m a smart player who is good technically and can be relied on to get the ball up the field” to the attacking players.
Porter said Besler gives the The Timbers something they lack — a true stay-at-home defensive midfielder.
“He thinks like a pro already,” Porter said. “He brings intelligence, maturity, professionalism and versatility.”
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, Besler was a three-year starter at Notre Dame after appearing in 13 games as a freshman. He was the Irish team captain in 2014.
Thoma, selected 24th, was the highest-rated left back available, Porter said. The Timbers now have three natural left backs, led by Jorge Villafana. Porter said that Thoma could battle Jeanderson, the team’s addition from Brazil, to be the primary backup at left back.
With their other two second-round picks, the Timbers chose forwards Christian Volesky and Kharlton Belmar.
Perhaps the fastest player drafted Thursday, Volesky was chosen MVP of this week’s MLS Player Combine for invited draft prospects. He scored 23 goals in 48 games for Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
Belmar, from Virginia Commonwealth, last summer scored a team-leading eight goals for the Timbers under-23 team.
Porter said both forwards can play anywhere up front and possess speed and strength.
“If we could get players with pace, power and size into our team, that was something we wanted to do,” Porter said. “That’s a dimension that we’re a little thin in.”
Timbers draft picks
Nick Besler (6-foot-1, 165 pounds), defensive midfielder from Notre Dame. Selection No. 5.
The 21-year-old brother of Sporting Kansas City center back Matt Besler, Nick was a three-year starter at Notre Dame, which won the national title in his junior season. He said he first started thinking about professional soccer after his brother was drafted at No. 8 in 2009. At Notre Dame he
Where he fits: Fills a need for depth as a defensive midfielder. With Will Johnson’s status for the start of the season uncertain, Besler could find some meaningful minutes early in the season. Johnson, Diego Chara and Ben Zemanski all like to attack as well as defend, whereas Besler is a defensive specialist.
Bonus: Caleb Porter said Besler can also play center back, a position that always requires depth.
Andy Thoma (5-11, 165), left back from Washington. Selection No. 24 selection.
A true left back, the 21-year-old was played in 80 games over four seasons for the Huskies, recording seven assists and one goal. A native of Los Alamos, N.M., Thoma was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America third-team All-American and Pac-12 second-team selection as a senior.
Where he fits: Left-footed fullbacks can be hard to come by. Thoma gives the Timbers three, important depth according to coach Caleb Porter. Jorge Villafana returns after solidifying that position last season and Brazilian addition Jeanderson also plays left back. Thoma probably figures to start the season Timbers 2 but will have the chance to battle for first-team playing time.
Christian Volesky (6-1, 175), forward from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Selection No. 32.
The 22-year-old was the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year after producing eight goals and four assists to lead his team to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. He finished with 23 goals and four assists in 48 games at SIU-Edwardsville, where he was a three-time first-team all-conference player after transferring from Denver. after spending his freshman season at the University of Denver. Volesky scored twice at the MLS Player Combine leading up to the draft, including once off a Besler corner kick, and was named the MVP of the combine.
Where he fits: A speedy attacker, the Timbers hope Volesky develops into a versatile attacker who can add depth up front behind Fanendo Adi and Maximilliano Urruti. He figures to spend most or all of this season with Timbers 2 in USL Pro.
Kharlton Belmar (5-11, 160), forward from Virginia Commonwealth. Selection No. 34.
The Timbers are quite familiar with the 22-year-old forward, who last summer played for the Timbers under-23 team in the Premier Development League. He scored a team-best eight goals in 14 games with the U-23s, was the U-23s 2014 player of the year and was selected to the PDL’s all-Western Conference team. A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Belmar scored 18 goals and had five assists in 76 games at VCU.
Where he fits: Like Volesky, the Timbers hope Belmar develops into a forward who can play multiple positions up front. He also is likely to spend most or all of his rookie season with Timbers 2 in USL Pro.
