PORTLAND, Ore. — Josecarlos Van Rankin's first days as a Portland Timber were spent largely in a hotel room. He can thank COVID-19 for that. He's had contact with team personnel who have helped his move north, from Torreón, Mexico, to the Rose City, but beyond contact with a limited number of Timbers staff, his first days in Portland have been very 2021. He's waiting to rejoin the rest of the world.
"I already want to meet my new teammates and begin training," Van Rankin, who goes by José, says. Major League Soccer teams will be allowed to begin their preseasons on February 22.