A Portland Timbers legend and Major League Soccer icon will have his name permanently installed at Providence Park this summer.
Diego Valeri will be added to the Timbers Ring of Honor on July 15 before a match against the Columbus Crew, the Timbers announced Thursday. Valeri will become the sixth member of the Ring of Honor, joining Clive Charles, John Bain, Jimmy Conway, Mick Hoban, and Timber Jim.
“It is with pride and gratitude that we announce Diego Valeri as the first MLS era Portland Timber to be inducted into our Ring of Honor,” Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said in a press release. “Diego had an immense impact on not just the Portland Timbers, but on all of MLS. His signing in many ways started the trend of Designated Players as talents in their prime with star-making years ahead of them. Diego was not just a maestro on the pitch, but also off it as someone always eager to serve our community, and I cannot wait for Diego and his family to be celebrated on July 15.”
Valeri joined the Timbers in 2013 and spent nine seasons in the Rose City. The dynamic Argentine’s accomplishments on the field are numerous: Valeri is the Timbers’ regular-season leader in goals scored (86), assists (91) and points (263), and ranks second behind Diego Chará in games played (262) and starts (230).
Valeri was a five-time MLS all-star, three-time member of the MLS Best XI, the 2017 MLS MVP, and led Portland to its lone MLS Cup trophy in 2015. He was a pillar in the community and beloved by the fanbase, earning the nickname “El Maestro” and a cemented club legend status.
“Diego Valeri’s accomplishments during his nine years with the Portland Timbers speak for themselves,” Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy said. “His contributions on and off the field will undoubtedly have a positive lasting impact on the organization. His ability to create a moment of brilliance, pulling off the spectacular, has provided all of us so many incredible memories. I couldn’t be more excited for our club, the supporters, and the entire city of Portland to share this moment as we honor the legacy that Diego has built.”
Valeri, 35, was transferred to boyhood club Lanús in Argentina at the conclusion of the 2021 season. He stepped away from the game in 2022 and is now part of the Spanish-language broadcast team for Apple TV’s coverage of MLS.
Portland vs. Columbus kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT on July 15 at Providence Park, and Valeri’s Ring of Honor ceremony will be conducted pregame. A live broadcast of the match will be available on the Apple TV app with a subscription to MLS Season Pass.
— Ryan Clarke, rclarke@oregonian.com, Twitter: @RyanTClarke
