Known for his penchant for spectacular bicycle-kick goals and important playoff performances, Dairon Asprilla appeared in 203 regular season matches, registering 33 goals and 20 assists.
Editor's Note: In honor of the Portland Timbers' 50th anniversary, the club is recognizing an All-Time XI collection of the best players from across all eras of the team's history as voted on by you, the fans. The XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
Each day between now and the team's 50th anniversary celebration on July 19 – when the Timbers host Minnesota United FC (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) – the club will unveil one player from the All-Time XI followed by a special recognition of the group on the evening of July 19th.
In a city that is well known for a love of bicycles, there’s a certain synchronicity to the fact that one of Portland Timbers All-Time XI member Dairon Asprilla’s signature goal-scoring abilities is, in fact, a bicycle kick.
A native of Istima, Colombia, Asprilla played for 10 seasons in the Rose City, making 203 regular season appearances while registering 33 goals and 20 assists. His 33 goals rank as the fifth most goals scored by a single player in club history and he is one of only four players in the club’s MLS era with 20 or more goals and assists.
While Asprilla scored many important goals for the team, he is known for his penchant for the spectacular bicycle kick. He tallied one against in a 2-0 victory over San Jose on Oct. 27, 2021 where he collected a loose ball outside the box, juggled it once, then launched it up and over the goalkeeper to settle in the net.
On Apr. 15, 2023, Asprilla did it again – this time against Cascadia rival Seattle Sounders FC. The forward equalized for Portland as he spun to put his back to goal while receiving a crossed in ball from Santiago Moreno. Asprilla powerfully one-timed his bicycle-kick shot into the back of goal, setting off a 4-1 come-from-behind rout of the Sounders that evening.
Asprilla even scored a bicycle kick with Timbers2 – the club’s development team. In a 3-1 T2 win over Las Vegas Lights FC on Mar. 23, 2019, Asprilla fired home a goal in the 74th minute. T2 was a key contributor to Asprilla’s development in Portland with the forward appearing in 16 matches at the lower division over the course of his career, contributing 11 goals.
His goals also often included a cartwheel to backflip celebration.
The forward was a member of every major trophy-winning side in the team’s MLS era including three Western Conference Championships (2015, 2018, 2021) an MLS is Back Tournament win in 2020 and the club’s MLS Cup victory in 2015.
Known as “Mr. October” for his habit of getting hot in the MLS Cup Playoffs, Asprilla appeared in 17 career postseason matches, tallying four goals. His goal from outside the box in first leg of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Finals on Nov. 22, 2015 helped set up a 3-1 win over FC Dallas and in 2018 he scored a stoppage time equalizer on the road against Seattle Sounder FC on Nov. 8 of that year to send the game into extra time. Later in the same match, Asprilla converted the match-winning penalty kick shootout attempt to defeat the Sounders on their home turf.
From the Archives
- WATCH: All Access: Asprilla delivers stoppage time game-winning assist in final match with club
- READ: On night club inducts Valeri to Ring of Honor, Asprilla delivers brace
- READ: The trials and triumph of Dairon Asprilla
- READ: Dairon's 'beautiful journey:' How Asprilla's evolution has cemented his place in Portland
Join us for the presentation of the Timbers All-Time XI on July 19 when the Timbers host Minnesota United!
Celebrating 50 years of the Timbers
Celebrating 50 years as a club, the Timbers honor the fan-vote, All-Time XI, Ring of Honor members and alumni from all eras. The match features a crossbody bag giveaway.
All-Time XI Eligibility:
The Timbers All-Time XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
To be considered, fans voted on the 50 eligible players who met established criteria based upon career achievements as a Timbers player and were selected by a panel. Players had to meet one of the following criteria:
- Play a minimum of 100 league games for the club for field players; 50 league games for goalkeepers.
- Inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor.
- Rank in the Top 5 (by era) in a career statistical category (games played, goals, assists, wins, shutouts, etc.) for the club.
- Be a key contributor in winning a championship or trophy.
- Receive league honors (All-League, Best XI, MVP, All-Star, Golden Boot, Rookie of the Year, etc.) as a member of the club.
