Joseph signs after trial invite with the team, MLS SuperDraft picks McLean and Griffith earn contract
PORTLAND, Ore. – Timbers2 have signed goalkeeper Sam Joseph, midfielder Justin McLean and forward Colin Griffith ahead of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season, the club announced today. Joseph signs with T2 after a trial invite to preseason camp, while McLean and Griffith earn contracts with the team following their selections in MLS SuperDraft 2026.
Joseph, 22, went undrafted in MLS SuperDraft 2026 and joined the Timbers as a trialist for their 2026 preseason. In his senior season at Virginia Tech, Joseph made 16 appearances for the Hokies, tallying a record of 7-4-5 and seven shutouts. Prior to that, the six-foot-four goalkeeper played three seasons at UCLA (2022-24), where he logged a 9-4-4 record and six shutouts. Notably, in his 33 collegiate appearances, Joseph kept a save percentage of 0.74%.
McLean, 21, was selected 15th overall by the Timbers in the first round of MLS SuperDraft 2026 out of North Carolina State. He made 22 appearances in his lone season with the Wolfpack (2025), tallying three goals and five assists. Notably, McLean helped lead NC State to the 2025 Men’s College Cup final, where he tallied one assist in the match but ultimately fell 3-2 in extra time to Washington. The Atlanta, Georgia native previously played for Georgia State (2022-24), where he recorded 49 appearances, registering 12 goals and 11 assists for the Panthers.
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Griffith, 21, was picked up by Portland 45th overall in the second round of MLS SuperDraft 2026. In four years at University of Maryland (2022-25), he made 46 appearances, recording nine goals and six assists. Notably, Griffith earned an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in 2024 during his junior season. A native of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the forward was named the 2021-22 U19 MLS NEXT MVP, and has represented the youth national teams of Barbados.
Sam Joseph
Position: Goalkeeper
Birthdate: 07/09/2003
Height: 6-4
College: Virginia Tech
Citizenship: United States
Hometown: San Diego, California
Justin McLean
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: 02/16/2004
Height: 6-0
College: North Carolina State
Citizenship: United States
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Colin Griffith
Position: Forward
Birthdate: 05/11/2004
Height: 5-10
College: Maryland
Citizenship: United States
Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
