CHESTER, Pa. ā Roy Miller began playing in MLS the same year as the Philadelphia Union.
Seven years and 130 games later, Miller finally delivered his first MLS goal ā and it was a big one as it proved to be the game-winner in the Portland Timbersā 3-1 victory over the sputtering Union on Saturday.
āItās good, Iām happy,ā Miller told MLSsoccer.com. āIāve never scored in MLS and today was the moment. But the more important thing is we got the three points, and Iām helping the team get those three points.ā
Miller has certainly been a valuable contributor in his first season in Portland, filling in for injured captain Liam Ridgewell over the last five games and providing veteran leadership along the backline for the surging Timbers (4-1-1).
And thatās exactly what Portland coach Caleb Porter thought the 32-year-old center back was capable of when the Timbers signed him via a transfer from Costa Rican club Saprissa in January. Before that, the Costa Rican native played six seasons for the New York Red Bulls.
āThat wasnāt the sexiest signing for a lot of people,ā Porter said. āBut we thought, āListen, this guyās gonna be a great center back for us.ā I thought heād be a cover guy but Ridgewellās been out for the last five games. Thatās why we signed him, to be able to step in. Heās left-footed, he knows the league, he knows English, he knows [David] Guzman, he knows every stadium ā those are really important things, especially in your reserves.ā
Of course, any kind of offense from Miller is simply a bonus for the Timbers. But on Saturday, the 6-foot-2 center back rose up to flick a perfectly placed Diego Valeri free kick, which then hit off Union defender Richie Marquezās head and into the net.
The 66th-minute goal, which came after Darlington Nagbeopened his own account on the season, broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Timbers well on their way to the fourth win of the season.
āDiego kicked a good [free-kick] and I just tried to get to the end,ā Miller said. āMarquez touched it a little bit. It was good the ball went in ā and then we just celebrate.ā
The Timbers have been doing a lot of celebrating so far this season, and Miller ā who said heās happy to be at center back after playing a lot of left back in New York ā is one big reason why.
āHeās been a great signing,ā Porter said. āIn five games played, heās not stepped a wrong foot. Heās been outstanding.ā