The Portland Timbers U-23s kick off their second season in the Premier Development League on May 15. Head coach
Jim Rilatt
talks about how the Timbers U-23s roster is coming together, the direction of the team and what to watch for in year two in a preseason Q&A.
You are in the last stages of assembling a 2010 roster for the Timbers U-23s. How has the process gone this year finding not only the right players, but the right mix of players for this team?
JR:
Even though we had a very good season last year in our first season in the PDL, we learned a lot about our player selection process. The PDL has expanded our scope of players and contacts for recommendations, which has led an even better pool of players to choose from this season. I think that the move to Major League Soccer for the first team has definitely increased the level of interest by players this season as well.
Probably the biggest improvement over last year in terms of our player-selection process was the two combines we held. This year, our roster will include players who had to prove their strengths and abilities in front of the Timbers coaching staff. I think this will lead to a greater comfort level for the coaches in selecting and matching a player’s skill level to another.
The Timbers U-23s are only in their second season of existence. Does it seem like word is circulating about the Timbers’ development team and the importance it plays in the organization and in the development of local soccer players?
JR:
This has definitely been the case. Leading up to this season, we’ve had coaches, agents, and even players themselves, contacting us in regards to players who have the desire to wear a Timbers U-23s jersey in 2010. The profile of the organization has increased over the years, especially now with the move to MLS, and it has resulted in a better pool of players to select from for the Timbers U-23s.
With a season of experience, has the approach to this season changed at all from the way the team prepared for its team’s inaugural season in 2009?
JR:
This year, we’ve placed a greater focus on identifying players who have the potential to develop and possibly continue on with organization’s first team. With the support provided by our owner (Merritt Paulson), we have to be able to produce players that can one day wear a Timbers jersey. While we’ll continue to be a development team, we want the Timbers U-23s to develop into a true reserve system for the first team.
There are some competitive teams in our division – pro teams even. What are your expectations for the 2010 Timbers U-23s?
JR:
It is hard to set expectations right now with the number of new players we will have in this season and the fact that we will be a younger team this year than we were in 2009. The other problem is that the other teams in our division are a bit unknown at the moment. I do like the fact that we have a majority of our roster available and training together very early this year.
My main goals for the Timbers U-23s are to first, qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and second, qualify for the divisional playoffs again. These are very achievable if we have in fact identified players, who we think, truly do possess the right make up to eventually play one day with our first team.
What is your favorite part of coaching the Timbers U-23s?
JR:
The most enjoyable part of coaching the Timbers U-23s is providing the players training sessions and information that the first team is receiving. As a coach, it is very interesting to see how much and how quickly a player can absorb new and more sophisticated information. I have learned a lot from my time around Gavin (Wilkinson) and the organization. It’s my desire to bring this same information to the U-23s group so that these younger players have a legitimate chance to further their playing careers.
