Following the acquisitions of Ariel Lassiter and Joao Ortiz, General Manager Ned Grabavoy and the Portland Timbers have continued to add depth to the roster during this primary transfer window, this time in attack.
In late January, the team signed Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy to a four-year deal, with the move reportedly costing $6 million in transfer fees. The 20-year-old occupies a U22 Initiative roster slot, which significantly reduces the impact his salary has on the cap.
Kelsy was previously with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk but spent time playing nearby at FC Cincinnati on loan last season, where he recorded six goals in 23 appearances. His performance earned him a spot on the MLS 22 Under 22 list. At Shakhtar, he earned minutes in UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches, a feat that very few other 20-year-olds of his caliber can claim.
When asked, Head coach Phil Neville described Kelsy as a player the club has been targeting “for months,” and it’s easy to understand why. Portland ranked 20th in set-piece goals in 2024, despite the numerous free kicks now-former Timber Evander rifled into the back of the net. Kelsy stands at 6’4″, adding a physical presence to the attack. The Timbers are no longer just a counter-attacking team—now, they have the personnel to pose a threat in all areas of the pitch.
On top of that, Kelsy provides that second reliable option at striker that the Timbers had not had in recent seasons. Since 2022, Nathan Fogaca, Tega Ikoba, and Jaroslaw Niezgoda have each taken turns backing up Felipe Mora at the nine. These players either lacked production or were consistently sidelined by injury. Now, with Kelsy’s arrival, they no longer have to rely on Mora to play 90 minutes every match just to stay competent, allowing for more rotation and fresher legs across the season.
Mora will likely start on opening day and throughout the year, but with a club option for 2026, the Timbers may choose to move on from him at age 32. In that case, Kelsy could step into the starting role and become more of a focal point moving forward.
The new kid brings immediate value in the short term, but his long-term potential is what’s truly exciting. He has the tools to be a world-class player, but the question is: does he have the drive to maximize them? If so, we’re talking about a truly special player in the making for Portland.
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