As first reported by Paul Tenorio on Twitter and then confirmed by the Oregonian’s Jamie Goldberg, Portland Timbers Designated Player Brian Fernandez voluntarily entered Major League Soccer’s substance abuse and behavioral health (SABH) program. Now that he is in the program, he will be unavailable for team selection until cleared to play by program physicians, which means he’s likely to miss most or all of the Timbers’ playoff games. The club issued a brief statement:
NEW YORK – Portland Timbers forward Brian Fernandez has voluntarily entered MLS’ Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health (“SABH”) Program.