Mamadou “Futty” Danso, Kalif Alhassan, Kevin Goldthwaite and James Marcelin have been signed to return for the Portland Timbers. All four were members of the 2010 USL Timbers, with Futty and Marcelin playing all season, and Goldthwaite and Alhassan joining later in the year.

Futty anchored the Timbers defense at center back last season and was chosen as the Dropping Timber defender of the year. James Marcelin was the player who improved the most from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, becoming a key part of the Timbers late playoff push…..

With one regular season match remaining and the playoffs still to go, we may still get to see another amazing goal. Dropping Timber will be picking it’s own “goal of the season” as a part of the DT awards. What do you think the #1 goal was? Let us know in the comments.

Behind a game-winning goal in stoppage time by midfielder Kalif Alhassan, the Portland Timbers escaped Puerto Rico with a narrow 1-0 victory, as the team continues its push towards the playoffs. With 2 games left in the regular season, the Timbers (12-7-9) are currently riding an eight-match unbeaten streak and have tallied 4 consecutive shutouts, further solidifying their 4th place position in the overall league standings. Portland has put together its best run of soccer during the streak.

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Kalif Alhassan chips it in from 25 yards over the keepers outstretched hands. This goal would be amazing even if it didn’t occur as the game winner in stoppage time. John Strong called it one of the greatest goals ever by a Portland Timber.

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Gavin Wilkinson recently hinted on Talk Timbers that the Timbers would be signing a young prospect who they expect to make an impact in the MLS. Today John Strong tweeted “News coming today…check that St Louis box score again…”. One thing that stands out on the St. Louis box score is that Kalif Alhassan is listed in the ineligible section.

Kalif Alhassan is a 19 year old from Ghana who is listed as an attacking midfielder and a forward. His first name may also be spelled Khalif. Gavin Wilkinson went on a scouting trip to Ghana in May, so this signing may be the result of that. We have no confirmation on this, so it’s just a rumor at this point. The Timbers will be announcing the signing this afternoon.

Update:
It’s official, the Timbers announced the signing of Kalif Alhassan for the remainder of this season.

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