PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has signed T2 defender Harold Hanson and forward Augustine Williams to short-term agreements, due to extreme hardship, ahead of the club’s away contest against Cascadia-rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday.
Extreme hardship exists when an MLS club has fewer than four available outfield substitutes (fewer than 14 outfield players available) or fewer than two goalkeepers available. In cases of extreme hardship, clubs may sign players from their USL affiliate (on loan) to a short-term agreement (up to four-day contracts) for MLS league season games.
Hanson, 18, has made 12 appearances (10 starts) for T2 this season, most recently playing 90 minutes in the team’s home match against Swope Park Rangers on July 16. Additionally, Hanson has made one first-team appearance in 2017, starting and playing 90 minutes in the Timbers’ Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against Seattle Sounders FC on June 13.
Williams, 19, has made 17 appearances (13 starts) for T2 in 2017, scoring two goals in league play. Williams also has scored one goal for the Timbers, recording the team’s lone strike against Seattle Sounders FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on June 13. Williams was named to the 2017 USL 20 Under 20 list, ranking 12th in the league.
Sunday’s match marks the second of three regular-season meetings between Portland and Vancouver, with the Timbers previously taking a 2-1 win over Whitecaps FC at Providence Park on April 22. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. (Pacific), Sunday’s match will be broadcast live on FS1 with local radio broadcasts on 750 AM/102.9 FM The Game (English) and La GranD 1150 AM/93.5 FM (Spanish).
