PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed midfielder Aaron Long and midfielder George Fochive, both selected by Portland in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
Long, 21, registered 13 goals and five assists as a four-year starter at the University of California-Riverside from 2010-13. The midfielder was selected by Portland with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. A two-time Big West All-Conference selection, Long finished as the Highlanders’ leading scorer as a junior in 2012 with 13 points (6g, 1a) and ended his senior season tied for the team lead in goals scored in 2013. A native of Oak Hills, Calif., Long played in 71 career matches (66 starts) for UC-Riverside. Long recorded an assist in his first preseason action for the Timbers in a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City on Feb. 1, in Tucson, Ariz.
HIGHLIGHTS: Aaron Long
Fochive, 21, was selected by Portland with the first pick of the third round, No. 39 overall. The midfielder played his final two collegiate seasons at the University of Connecticut, starting 45 games and recording two goals and two assists for the Huskies. He started all 23 games as a senior in 2013, recording two goals and one assist. Fochive received American Athletic Conference second-team and NSCAA All-Northeast first-team honors following his senior season and helped guide the Huskies to a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He transferred to UConn from Hawaii Pacific University, where he was a two-time, All-PacWest selection from 2010-11.
HIGHLIGHTS: George Fochive
Aaron Long
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Born: Oct. 12, 1992
Hometown: Oak Hills, Calif.
College: UC-Riverside
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected in the second round (No. 36 overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft
George Fochive
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Born: March 24, 1992
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
College: University of Connecticut
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected in the third round (No. 39 overall) in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft
