The Portland Timbers picked up midfielder Sal Zizzo today from Chivas USA, picking up a player who would be worth a million points should "Scrabble: MLS Version" ever be produced. Zizzo, 23, spent three largely disappointing seasons with Bundesliga side Hannover 96. He missed all of the 2009-10 Bundesliga season with an ACL injury.
But picking up USMNT players who missed a season with injury is a very trendy thing to do right now, and the Timbers are simply keeping pace with DC United, who announced the year-long loan signing of Charlie Davies this morning. While Zizzo had ten appearances with the Goats after signing with them in July, just one of those was a start. It may seem like Portland are taking a risk with a player whose career seems slightly stagnated, but, barring another injury, there's no reason Zizzo can't make an impact with the new MLS side.
Timbers fans, want to keep up with your newest player? Follow Zizzo on Twitter! Soccer players + random thoughts...what could be better?