The Portland Timbers and Argentine attacker Gaston Fernandez have mutually agreed to part ways. Due to league and club policy, the details of the agreement were not released. The announcement came on Monday evening.
General Manager Gavin Wilkinson thanked Fernandez for his contributions of the past two season with the Timbers, saying: “We would like to thank Gastón for his contributions to the club the past two seasons. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
Strong contributor for the club
The Argentine attacker signed with the Timbers squad in the January transfer window, ahead of the 2014 MLS campaign. Over his two seasons in the Rose City, he appeared 53 times in league play, getting 23 starts, notching nine goals and four assists.
In the 2014 season, Fernandez made his name known by racking up 12 goals in all competitons for Portland. This included the Timbers run in the 2014 Concacaf Champions League, and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Struggles this season
The Timbers have recently acquired Fanendo Adi, who came into the squad last year, and Lucas Melano in the past 12 months. So, not even a whole year. With the two huge signings, Fernandez found himself in the gallows of the Portland depth chart, and playing time deficient and sporadic.
Just this season alone, the Argentine appeared in 21 games, making six starts, and gathering two goals and two assists. Fernandez also made two appearances in the 2015 US Open Cup.
Timbers manager Caleb Porter stated that he enjoyed coaching Fernandez, saying “I’ve enjoyed coaching Gaston and have appreciated his contributions and commitment to the club."
Fernandez got his career started in 2000, by joining big guns, River Plate. His time there lasted for about four years, where he made 50 appearances, and scored six goals. Later in his career, Gaston joining Estudiantes LP, where he had a memorable time, racking up 93 appearances, and scoring 21 goals during his four year stint at the club.
While at San Lorenzo de Almagro, Fernandez become the leading goalscorer of his team, which went on to win the 2007 Clausura Championship.
If one were to pick out a memorable moment of 'Las Gatas' (translates to "The Cats" in spanish) career, that would be his tying goal late in stoppage time to keep the Portland Timbers' home unbeaten streak entact, and extend it to a massive 16 games. He went on adding another equaliser the following week against the Chicago Fire.