Know Your Portland Timbers: The 2016 Midfielders

The midfield engine of the Portland Timbers are prepared for Sunday's MLS regular season opener against Columbus Crew SC (1:30pm PT, ESPN). Find out more about each of the team's midfielders. Know your Timbers: GoalkeepersKnow your Timbers: DefendersKnow your Timbers: Forwards

11 - Dairon Asprilla

-- Made his Timbers and MLS debut

Portland Timbers re-sign midfielders Ben Zemanski, Nick Besler, defender Andy Thoma

Career Summary

2016: Played in eight straight games for T2 (Aug. 6-Sept. 13) ... Returned to the starting lineup, playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss against Sounders FC 2 on July 24 ... Started and played 90 minutes in nine consecutive matches for T2 (April 23 - June 19) ... Started and played 90 minutes in each of the first four matches for T2 (March 26-April 17) ... Tallied his first goal in a USL league match against Swope Park Rangers on March 26.

2015: Made 25 appearances (22 starts) for T2 on loan this season ... Registered a goal in a 4-3 win against Newcastle United of the English Premier League on July 21.

COLLEGE: Appeared in 72 matches (59 starts) for Notre Dame, tallying two goals and five assists while helping the Fighting Irish win the 2013 NCAA National Championship ... All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) first-team pick during the last two seasons (2013, 2014) ... Selected as an NSCAA All-American second-team pick as a senior in 2014 ... Is the younger brother of Sporting Kansas City and U.S. Men’s National Team defender Matt Besler ... Served as team captain for Notre Dame during the 2014 season.