On September 19, Aljaz Ivacic made his Major League Soccer debut, earning a victory in goal for the Portland Timbers against the San Jose Earthquakes. That win came 21 months after he moved to Oregon from his native Slovenia. In between, the 26-year-old had to recover from an early-2019 surgery as well as pay his dues with Portland's USL team, Timbers 2. Now, having played a part in the Timbers' 6-1 win over the Earthquakes, Ivacic can move on the next step of his MLS story.
Last week, we talked to Ivacic about that MLS debut but also some of the qualities that distinguish him from his fellow goalkeepers in Portland. Perhaps more importantly, we get his verdicts on "Allio," "Jazzy," and the other names he's picked up during his time in green and gold.