Breaking Lines usually tries to avoid focusing too much on what’s happening on the field, but in the aftermath of a newly signed Designated Player, it’s time to break from format and focus on the latest addition to the locker room.
That’s why Jon Arnold – Mexico specialist for Goal.com; North and Central America expert for the BBC’s World Football Fone-In; FC Dallas beat writer for the Dallas Morning News – is on the show: to tell us what type of player he saw during Yimmi Chara’s time in Mexico and what, based on Jon’s knowledge of expertise, we can expect after the Colombian’s arrival in Portland. Other reasons he’s on the show: to talk about a classic ending to Mexico’s 2019 Apertura; to make bets as to how many step-overs Chara attempts in green and gold; and to discuss the challenge of reaching an English-speaking audience with his Mexican-league coverage.