Thank You, Kiwi Maldini

Yesterday, the Portland Timbers traded CB Bill Tuiloma to Charlotte FC. In return came $800K GAM, which will be paid in installments. Upon learning of this shocking trade, 1 week before the start of the MLS season, I immediately felt sad. Not only was Bill Tuiloma a starting quality center back, but he is a pillar of the community and well-liked by anyone who has had the opportunity to meet him. 

Every home matchday at Providence Park, fans line up on the west side of the stadium to watch the players slowly arrive one by one. Barricades are put up for fans to stand behind while the players walk down the line, taking pictures and signing whatever gets handed to them. It’s a wonderful tradition that I didn’t know existed until last year. I’m not much of a picture person, but I really wanted a picture with Bill. I looked like a dorky oversized child in a jersey that was a few sizes too small. Still got the picture. My friend Morgan asked him if he liked the nickname “Kiwi Maldini.” He smiled and said he loved it. 

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Bill was the definition of a Portland Timber. All business on the field and all smiles off of it. During the PTFC for Peace charity match, Bill jokingly put on a keeper’s uniform while our ever-ready supporters section rained down chants of “dodgy keeper” upon him. If Diego Chara (God forbid me for even bringing this idea to light) was not a Timber anymore, Bill Tuiloma was the epitome of a captain. 

On the field, his motor kept him going no matter the score. A perfect example of this was last year against the Galaxy, in a game that was never going to go our way. Bill struck a beautiful free kick into the top right corner of the net and immediately began to march right back to his own half, ready to rescue a point no matter the cost. 

Last year was easily his best as a Timber. He looked undroppable in the first half of the season. Despite our lack of a consistent attack, he was a set-piece God, finishing free kicks and corner kicks with aplomb. Charlotte, you are getting a class act. Please appreciate him as much as we do. 

Now, unfortunately, I must talk about the business side of things. Trading away a quality CB at this point in the year is a massive cause for alarm — especially one who just signed a four year extension at the start of last season. Dario Zuparic has a contract expiring at the end of this season. Why trade the guy who is younger, coming off a career year, and under team control until 2026? This feels like the Jeremy Ebobisse trade in 2021, except for the fact that Bill would still be under contract and Jebo was set to become a free agent. Both players were fantastic human beings that got traded away for GAM. 

Ned Grabavoy has been stockpiling GAM, and one of the ways he acquired some was the trade of CB Yerson Mosquera’s Discovery Rights to Cincinnati. If Ned knew he was going to try and trade Bill, why not use those Discovery Rights to get his replacement? Especially when there’s a week until the season starts and the squad lacks any depth at center back. Ned is getting ready to pull the trigger on something. He already made the biggest signing of the offseason stateside (Evander) and now looks to foray into the league for his next splash. Signing/trading from other MLS clubs is not a very Timbers thing. We usually get our players poached, not the other way around. I jokingly suggested throwing all the GAM at Jakob Glesnes earlier, but I believe Ned is trying to use this to sign another striker. Which means the former Timbers #10 is looking elsewhere for another center back. Allow me to point him in the right direction.

In Santa Fe, Argentina, a 23 year old starting quality center back is waiting to be bought by an MLS side. His contract expires at the end of 2024 and he is dripping with potential. Facundo Garces has been at Colon his entire career. He came through the academy and has broken into the first team, becoming their first choice option at center back. When I look at his highlights, I see a pure stopper. Someone who sniffs trouble in the box and rushes to put it out. He’s not as polished playing on the ball as one might like, but in terms of a defensive terror he fits the mold 100%. Ideally, I would play him alongside a ball-playing CB (SOMEONE LIKE BILL TUILOMA). The Timbers now are a team with a quality attack, but still with the same defensive instability that characterized 2022. Adding Garces gives this team a stronger defensive spine while also acing another signing from the current World Cup holders. Put him in a Timbers shirt and watch him be a Best XI caliber defender in two years. 

Losing Bill was the last thing I wanted to see before the season started. Ned decided to pull the trigger and now the early season outlook seems a lot bleaker than it should. The final dish is nowhere near ready, and Portland fans have grown accustomed to a certain flavor profile for their team. Bill was the salt of this team. Always showing up and making sure you knew that he was here. I would like to say one last bit of thanks to our Kiwi Maldini. We are always rooting for you until we see you on the pitch again.

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