Paulson: Timbers could have first DP by April 14

PORTLAND, Ore.– Merritt Paulson, owner and president of thePortland Timbers, shed some light on two important topics that affect the shape of the team’s 2011 roster.

Speaking on Talk Timbers (95.5 The Game) with radio host John Strong, Paulson said that the team is actively pursuing two center midfielders - and one of the options could be Portland’s first designated player.

“We will add a player of note, of significance, a center midfielder, and I would venture to guess we’ll have that player by our home opener on April 14,” Paulson said. “We’ve got a couple of options. (Marcos) Flores, who people have talked about on the chat boards is not one of the options.

“One of the two players would be a DP and the other one would be an extremely good fit as well.”

On the subject of English defender Kerrea Gilbert, signed by the Timbers on Dec. 13, Paulson said he expected the issue of whether or not he would join the team to be resolved within the next week.

Gilbert has been caught up in legal red tape and unable to come into the U.S.

Paulson said he was aware that Gilbert, 24, had a couple of alcohol-related incidents on his record. But the team spoke to friends and others close to the player and“people said he was a good guy,” Paulson said.

Gilbert came up with Arsenal has been unable to consistently crack the top-tier lineup and has spent most of the past four seasons on loan. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger even wrote a letter of recommendation, Paulson said.

But as Gilbert began the Visa process, a number of new incidents arose.

“At that point, he seemed like he guy we wouldn’t want anyway,” Paulson said.

Gilbert, however, maintained that the new information was false. Paulson said the team was trying to corroborate Gilbert’s story.

So how likely is it that Gilbert will wear a Timbers jersey?

“I would have said ‘No way’ if you asked me two weeks ago,” Paulson said. “It’s all coming to a head this week. With this new information there’s still a chance we get him. But we need validation one way or another on the history, and we take character very seriously.”

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