Darlington Nagbe returned to training with the Portland Timbers Tuesday morning after a busy offseason.
Nagbe was wooed by Scottish club Celtic F.C. last fall and even visited Glasgow to take in a Champions League game before ultimately remaining with the Timbers. The 26-year-old then started off 2017 by making a triumphant return to the U.S. National Team and earning his first start in a USMNT uniform against Serbia last week.
But after the long and eventful offseason, Nagbe said he was glad to be back in Portland and was focusing on his preparations for the 2017 MLS season.
“This is my home,” Nagbe said. “I’m happy to be back.”
It was far from certain that Nagbe would be returning to the Timbers this year.
Celtic made the decision to seriously pursue Nagbe last fall and the 26-year-old, who has spent his entire six-year professional career in Portland, was open to considering the Scottish club and the new challenge of competing in Europe.
But negotiations stalled in December after Celtic made their offer and both the Timbers organization and Nagbe ultimately determined that it wasn’t the right move.
“I was interested in it, but for me it was a win-win,” Nagbe said. “I love Portland. My family loves it. Celtic was just another opportunity I was looking at with a historic team and a great coach, but I’m happy to be back here as well.”
Even though Nagbe is returning to the Timbers for a seventh season, he said he isn’t complacent in Portland. He said he still believes he can continue to grow as a player with the Timbers and hopes to improve his production this season.
“I think you can always get better no matter where you are, what level you are at and I definitely think it’s a season that I can get better,” Nagbe said.
The Timbers are certainly hopeful that Nagbe can increase his production this year.
Nagbe recorded just one goal and five assists in 2016 as he spent time on both wings and at the No. 8 position. This year, Timbers coach Caleb Porter has said that he plans to use Nagbe primarily on the left wing because analytics have shown that Nagbe produces his most goals and assists from that position.
“He produces the most goals from left wing,” Porter said.
Nagbe showed very well from the left wing last week with the U.S. National Team.
U.S. National Team coach Bruce Arena started Nagbe on the left wing against Serbia and, though the game ended in a 0-0 draw, the 26-year-old managed to create the USA’s two best scoring chances in the first half.
“I was excited to get my first start under Bruce,” Nagbe said. “Bruce has been great to everyone in my opinion. It’s a fresh start, not just for me, but a lot of guys. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Nagbe’s inclusion in the USMNT January camp seemed unlikely just a few months ago.
Nagbe declined a call-up to the U.S. National Team from then-head coach Jurgen Klinsmann back in October for both family reasons and because he was reportedly feeling undervalued by Klinsmann. Following the declined call-up, Klinsmann left Nagbe off his roster for World Cup qualifiers in November, calling Nagbe’s future with the USMNT into question.
But Klinsmann was fired as head coach in late November and replaced by Arena, the former head coach of the LA Galaxy.
“(Arena) knows me better,” Nagbe said. “He’s seen me play numerous times. I feel like that’s maybe to my advantage.”
After a busy offseason and a strong January camp with the USMNT, Nagbe said he returned to Portland ahead of Tuesday’s training feeling energized and ready to turn his full attention to the MLS season ahead.
“It was good to come back and see the guys,” Nagbe said. “It feels good to be back.”
— Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com
503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg
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