BEAVERTON, Ore. – Diego Chara marveled at the idea that this is his ninth season in Portland, pausing slightly after the first question of his post-training media scrum to emphasize the number’s magnitude.
“I’m very proud to be part of [the team] again,” the veteran Colombian midfielder said, his presence representing the final remnant of the Timbers’ initial MLS squad.
In 2011, Chara missed out on preseason festivities, joining the team for an early-season game in Los Angeles where, having just stepped off a plane, he would make his MLS debut the same day against the Galaxy.