PORTLAND — As the Portland Timbers prepare to kick off their 50th season, a significant personal milestone looms for one of the franchise’s key figures.
Midfielder Diego Chara is on the verge of making his 400th career MLS appearance with the Timbers this Sunday against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 38-year-old Colombian, who joined the Timbers in 2011 during the team’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer, expressed the emotional weight of this achievement.
“Most players typically spend three to five years with one club, so hitting this mark is incredibly special for me,” Chara remarked.
Chara, a stalwart for Portland, broke the MLS record for most matches played with a single team last season, surpassing Chris Wondolowski’s previous record of 376 with the San Jose Earthquakes.
Now entering his 15th season in Portland, Chara is a beloved figure among fans and teammates, recognized for his infectious personality and a notorious collection of yellow cards.
He currently holds the league record for most fouls committed, with a staggering total of 894 over 399 games.
Among active players, Chara is one of only four who have reached the 400-game mark: Columbus Crew’s Darlington Nagbe (415), Seattle’s Stefan Frei (407), and Toronto’s Sean Johnson (400). Historical records indicate that only 13 players in the entirety of MLS have achieved this feat.
Chara’s long tenure with the Timbers is unmatched by any other current MLS player. As a point of comparison, New England Revolution defender Andrew Farrell is entering his 13th season, while Jonathan Osorio is also in his 13th season with Toronto FC.
“His demeanor earns the respect of everyone in and out of the locker room, and across the league,” Portland coach Phil Neville noted.
“Observing his work ethic and attitude in training is truly inspiring.”
Over his career, Chara has contributed to the Timbers’ triumphs, including the 2015 MLS Championship, three Western Conference titles, and the MLS is Back tournament in 2020. The Timbers have also finished as runners-up in the MLS Cup twice, in 2018 and 2021.
This season introduces new challenges for Chara and the Timbers, particularly after the team missed the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, highlighted by a heavy 5-0 defeat to the Whitecaps in a wild-card matchup last season.
With that backdrop, the season opener against Vancouver takes on added significance.
“We’re approaching this game with a strong sense of motivation. The circumstances are different now, but we also recognize our past struggles and see this as a great opportunity,” Chara stated.
Recent changes within the team added to the mix when Brazilian playmaker Evander was transferred to FC Cincinnati in a $12 million deal after expressing discontent on social media.
Evander was the Timbers’ leading scorer last season, boasting 15 goals and 19 assists, making his departure a notable shift as the team progresses into its 50th year.
In response to the loss, the Timbers have welcomed young Portuguese midfielder David Da Costa as a designated player, who previously played four seasons in France’s top league with RC Lens.
The upcoming matchup also serves as a Cascadia Cup rivalry event, a competition with deep roots among the Timbers, Whitecaps, and Seattle Sounders, based on the performance in matches among the three teams.
“I feel the team is settling in well. Our new additions have started to blend with our system effectively,” Chara commented.
“Our preseason efforts have laid a solid foundation.”
