Among te the most accomplished players in team history, Diego Chara is the MLS record holder in regular-season appearances with a single club (416 and counting) as well as starts (398 and counting)
Editor's Note: In honor of the Portland Timbers' 50th anniversary, the club is recognizing an All-Time XI collection of the best players from across all eras of the team's history as voted on by you, the fans. The XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
Each day between now and the team's 50th anniversary celebration on July 19 – when the Timbers host Minnesota United FC (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) – the club will unveil one player from the All-Time XI followed by a special recognition of the group on the evening of July 19th.
For 15 seasons, Timbers All-Time XI midfielder Diego Chara has patrolled the midfield for the Green and Gold. He is known for his crunching tackles – he holds the MLS record for fouls committed at 920 – as well as his blistering speed to swoop in and knock a ball away to break up an opposing attack. Between his fouls and defensive work, plus being the all-time league leader in yellow cards (120), if one didn’t know any better, one might call Chara simply an enforcer.
But to reduce Chara’s role as a destroyer misses the entirety of his game.
Chara’s play goes much deeper than that. Watch his work off the ball and one sees him constantly pointing and talking to his teammates. Be it as a box-to-box midfielder, a six, an eight or all of the above, his on-field directing has an almost mystical ability to predict where the ball or the attack is going to go. While Chara may go in hard for a challenge, he’s going to smile about it and then carry on. Once on the ball, his career pass completion rate is 87.9% – meaning Chara is linking and serving as a fulcrum point for his team to maintain or regain possession and then reignite an attack forward. He finds space to work either by running into it to make himself available as an outlet or pushing through it to move the ball forward.
In this Axes & O's segment from 2017, Ross Smith shows how Diego Chara helps his teammates defend
A native of Cali, Colombia, Diego Chara was signed from Deportes Tolima as the club’s first-ever Designated Player in April of 2011, choosing a foundational player rather than a flashy forward or creative attacker. till playing, he is the MLS record holder in regular-season appearances with a single club (416 and counting) as well as starts (398 and counting). His teammates lovingly call him El Padrino – The Godfather – and he has earned the deep respect of opponents across the league.
Chara explodes into space to score against RSL
Like fellow Timbers All-Time XI members Dairon Asprilla and Diego Valeri, Chara has been a part of every major trophy Portland has won in the MLS era: three Western Conference Championships (2015, 2018 and 2021), the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament championship and the 2015 MLS Cup. He was an MLS All-Star in 2019, an MLS is Back Tournament Best XI selection as well as an MLS Best XI selection in 2020.
Chara stays committed to his Colombian roots
Sure, Chara may be able to destroy an opposing an attack, but he can also perform magic. His evolution and growth from young player to experienced veteran willing to help those around him be better has made Chara one of the most important individuals central to the Timbers’ modern identity.
From the Archives
- READ: In GIF form: Every moment of brilliance from one of Diego Chara's command performances
- READ: Chara proud of breaking MLS records but driven to be even better
- READ: With All-Star inclusion, MLS finally recognizes what Portland's always known about Chara
- READ: Diego Chara shines as a non-traditional Designated Player for Portland
Join us for the presentation of the Timbers All-Time XI on July 19 when the Timbers host Minnesota United!
Celebrating 50 years of the Timbers
Celebrating 50 years as a club, the Timbers honor the fan-vote, All-Time XI, Ring of Honor members and alumni from all eras. The match features a crossbody bag giveaway.
All-Time XI Eligibility:
The Timbers All-Time XI is comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards – a 3-4-3 formation.
To be considered, fans voted on the 50 eligible players who met established criteria based upon career achievements as a Timbers player and were selected by a panel. Players had to meet one of the following criteria:
- Play a minimum of 100 league games for the club for field players; 50 league games for goalkeepers.
- Inducted into the Timbers Ring of Honor.
- Rank in the Top 5 (by era) in a career statistical category (games played, goals, assists, wins, shutouts, etc.) for the club.
- Be a key contributor in winning a championship or trophy.
- Receive league honors (All-League, Best XI, MVP, All-Star, Golden Boot, Rookie of the Year, etc.) as a member of the club.
