The Oregonian/OregonLive was informed on Saturday night by a source that veteran Portland Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson is being traded back to Charlotte FC.
The 27-year-old Williamson made 28 appearances overall and started 10 games for the Timbers last season, contributing two goals and two assists.
The Timbers would get roughly $100,000 in general allocation funds in return for Williamson, according to Give Me Sport’s Tom Bogert, who reported the trade on Saturday morning.
The transaction comes after reports that the Timbers are nearing a deal with Independiente del Valle’s Ecuadorian midfielder Joao Ortiz. The 28-year-old Ortiz has nine caps for the Ecuadorian men’s squad.
Williamson participated in 98 games (60 starts) over his seven seasons with the Timbers, tallying six goals and 14 assists. Due to knee issues, he missed a lot of time in recent seasons. Williamson tore his right ACL early in the 2023 season after tearing his left ACL during the 2021 campaign.
According to Capology, Williamson, who has six caps with the U.S. men’s national team, will make $675,000 this season.
PRESEASON TIMBERS
Later this month, the Timbers will play two closed-door scrimmages in Southern California to kick off their preseason: one against Orange County SC on January 25 and another against LAFC on January 29. After that, Portland will play in the Coachella Valley Invitational at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, from February 4–15. At Providence Park on Sunday, February 23, the Timbers take on the Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps at 1 p.m. to start the regular season. MLS Season Pass on Apple TV will stream every Timbers and MLS game.
Joel Odom
