PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed their first pick from the 2022 MLS SuperDraft Draft (No. 27 overall), defender Justin Rasmussen from Grand Canyon University, to a one-year contract with three club option years.
Rasmussen, 23, joined the Timbers at the beginning of the 2022 preseason in Portland and scored his first goal for Portland on Feb. 16 against Viking FK in the preseason tournament at Providence Park.
The Las Vegas, Nev., native was drafted by the Timbers after a five-year career at Grand Canyon, registering 16 goals and 10 assists in 55 appearances (38 starts). In 2021, Rasmussen was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list and claimed the No. 45 spot on the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason National Top 100 list. He recorded nine goals and six assists for a team-best 24 points in his fifth year, earning WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and All-WAC First Team honors. As a senior, Rasmussen became the first NCAA All-American in program history after scoring five goals in 10 appearances, landing himself on the United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region First Team.
Justin Rasmussen
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Date of Birth: 12/15/1998 (23 years old)
Age: 23
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Citizenship: United States
College: Grand Canyon University
Acquired: Feb. 17, 2022
Portland Timbers 2022 Roster (as of Feb. 17)
Goalkeepers: David Bingham, Aljaz Ivacic, Hunter Sulte, Justin Vom Steeg
Defenders: Pablo Bonilla, Claudio Bravo, Larrys Mabiala, Zac McGraw, Bill Tuiloma, Josecarlos Van Rankin, Dario Zuparic
Midfielders: David Ayala, Sebastián Blanco, Blake Bodily, Diego Chara, Yimmi Chara, George Fochive, Marvin Loría, Santiago Moreno, Cristhian Paredes, Eryk Williamson
Forwards: Dairon Asprilla, Tega Ikoba, Felipe Mora, Jaroslaw Niezgoda
