Portland Timbers sign free agent winger Ariel Lassiter
The Portland Timbers have added some depth to the frontline.
The Portland Timbers announced today that they have signed free agent winger Ariel Lassiter to a two-year contract with a club option for 2027.
“We are excited to welcome Ariel Lassiter to the Portland Timbers. His experience in both MLS and at the international level will bring value to our group in providing us another solid option within our attack,” said Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy.
Lassiter has made 32 appearances (17 starts) for the Costa Rica Men’s National Team. He has tallied two goals and two assists with Los Ticos. His senior debut came on March 23, 2019 against Guatemala as a second-half substitute.
This will be Lassiter’s 11th MLS season. The Portland Timbers will be his sixth team with his previous teams including: LA Galaxy (2015-2018), Houston Dynamo FC (2020-2021), Inter Miami CF (2022-23), CF Montréal (2023-24) and Chicago Fire FC (2024). Ariel Lassiter, 30, has a good amount of experience with 149 regular season appearances (76 starts), recording 12 goals and 15 assists.
“Ari is someone I’ve worked with before. He’s got a great attitude and will enhance the culture within the team,” said Timbers Head Coach Phil Neville. “He has incredible speed and will be a big asset to our roster. I’m very pleased to have him as part of our group this year.”
In 2024, Lassiter scored three goals and tallied seven assists in 27 appearances (25 starts) with Montréal and Chicago.
You can read the Timbers press release on the signing here.
On his own, Ariel Lassiter is not the needle-mover or big move this team needed. That move could still come during this transfer window, although the 2025 season is quickly approaching.
This is a solid depth move for the frontline of the Portland Timbers. However, it does not change much for the club at all. They are still multiple pieces away from contending, but as of now they are stuck in limbo.
The offseason has been a silent one for the club and if it does not ramp up soon, the start of the 2025 season could be rough.
If the Portland Timbers want to escape from this mediocre state they’re in, they have got to start making impact moves this window. There are no excuses for Ned Grabavoy and Phil Neville in 2025.
What are your thoughts on the move?
So this is a Marvin Loria replacement move, I assume? Color me whelmed. I'm glad they moved quickly to replace a replacement level player, but that's not hard, so congrats on doing the bare minimum, I guess?
"There are no excuses for Ned Grabavoy and Phil Neville in 2025."
I'm sure they'll find some. VIBES, you know.
The last four paragraphs are right on, especially the last one that RCTEyeDee cites. On the one hand, I'm glad to see a new signing — finally. On the other, why is the FO always so slow to make moves compared to other teams?
I'm sure the well-known discontent that players have with management isn't helping the cause of building a better team.