Hearts of Lions, Brains of Goldfishes, Former Portland Timbers: Where Are They Now?
Intro
Hello all, my name is Aaron but some of you may know me as HopsAndSoccer. I thought I might throw my cap in and contribute to what is already an amazingly creative, unique, and bright community brought together by our shared love for the Portland Timbers.I cannot top the amazing podcasts by the likes of the Timbros, Soccer Made in PDX, or the Rose City Soccer Show; nor can I best the creative and insightful discussions, hot takes, and commentaries, that guys like BOG, Chris Gluck, and Chris Rifer provide.
I will, however, attempt to shine a light on former Timbers players, in a weekly or semi-weekly musing on a former Timber player. We all support and love the Timbers. Indeed, their success or failure on the weekend, for better or worse, determines our happiness, our productiveness, our very well-being. We may get frustrated by the FO, coaching staff, or players form; but our support for the players cannot be shaken nor broken. Once they step onto the pitch for us, they're RCTID.
While it is so natural to live in the now, I often wonder what becomes of our former players who have, for one reason or another, moved on in their career and life. Some leave unceremoniously, guys like Yartey or Tshuma, others leave on mutual appreciative terms like David Horst or La Gata.
Each week, I'll focus on one former Timber and relive their best and worst moment(s) for PTFC, the circumstances and general feeling on their inevitable departure, and how life and their player career has fared since leaving our fair city.
And thus Kalif Alhassan enters the scene.
Pronounced “KA-leaf AL-hass-on.”
Career Statistics (Regular Season)
| Year | Club | GP | GS | G | MIN | A | SHT | SOG | FC | OFF | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Portland Timbers | 15 | 5 | 1 | 590 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Portland Timbers | 30 | 15 | 3 | 1324 | 3 | 34 | 11 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | Portland Timbers | 16 | 10 | 1 | 827 | 2 | 19 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | Portland Timbers | 32 | 27 | 0 | 2337 | 6 | 58 | 14 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Career Totals | 93 | 57 | 5 | 5078 | 12 | 125 | 35 | 59 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
We sang his name to the tune of Feliz Navidad and reviled in what we saw as our young talent about to break out. He was awarded the 2011 Timbers Young Player of the Year at the close of our first campaign finishing second in team assists with 6 on the year, 3 of which were game-winning assists.
I will always remember him for this moment of joy, his first MLS goal, in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union in the 2012 season-opener.
There is no one moment of true failure for Kalif; rather, a collection of sighs and confusion as he would often curl a shot 10 yards wide and kill many attacking sequences with attempts of brilliance and skill that was often overdone where a calm tidy finish or pass was the correct option. It became clear that he was a player not destined to last on our roster, let alone, in the top flight. Moments of unmatched skill and raw talent can only last so long amidst a sea of anonymity on the pitch. It was with understanding and readiness that we awaited his time in the Rose City to end, yet we all have fond memories of Kalif and were sad to see him go.
Where is he now?
In December of 2014, Portland declined a 2015 contract for the mercurial Kalif Alhassan signaling an end of era; He was the last remaining player who played for the Timbers prior to the club joining MLS in 2011. In February of 2015, NASL's MLS-destined Minnesota United signed Kalif Alhassan.
He appears to have found admirable success thus far in NASL with 2 goals and 4 assists to his name in 15 starts for the Loons. As recently as July 25th, Kalif put in a great shift for Minnesota United notching two assists and a goal in a 4-3 win over San Antonio earning MOTM, see highlights below.
It's great to see that insatiable smile once again. Stay Jazzy friend.
Kalif Alhassan: We Salute You.
Follow me on Twitter @HopsAndSoccer
