Jan 5 Portland Timbers Sign Ariel Lassiter Via Free Agency | OneFootball

The Portland Timbers have signed MLS veteran Ariel Lassiter via free agency ahead of the 2025 MLS season. The 30 year old winger/wingback heads to Portland in a unique fit in my opinion. Over the last few seasons across Montreal and Chicago, Lassiter developed into a pretty strong attacking wingback within MLS. Last season, Portland played a mix of a 3 and 4 man backline. To me this hints that we might see more of a 3 man backline with wingbacks under Phil Neville in 2025.

The Costa Rican international played in 32 games between CF Montreal and the Chicago Fire in 2024 recording 3 goals and 7 assists. In 245 career first teams games in his career, Lassiter has 44 career goals and 37 career assists. This is a solid depth piece signing for a MLS club, but to me, hints more at what formations and style we will primarily see from Portland moving forward.