Timbers keep Southern pipeline fresh

Hanyer Mosquera is one of the many Timbers who'll get acquainted with one another during training camp.

AP photo.

Just days away from opening their 2012 season with preseason camp, the Portland Timbers signed veteran defender Hanyer Mosquera Tuesday.

Mosquera played the past two seasons in Columbia's first division with Club Deportivo La Equidad Seguros, helping the team post 10 shutouts last year.

“Hanyer is a player we’ve had our eye on for 18 months,” Portland general manager Gavin Wilkinson said through a media release. “He has all the attributes needed to become one of the top defenders in MLS.”

Mosquera is the fourth Columbian national to join the Timbers following designated player Jose Adolfo Valencia's signing in December.

Portland finished 12th from among the 18 MLS teams in its inaugural season, and had a goal differential of minus 8. On the road, the Timbers were minus 16.

Portland opens preseason action Feb. 27 with a four-team tournament at Jeld-Wen Field.

TIMBERS 2012 SCHEDULE

March 12          Monday              Philadelphia at Portland                   ESPN2

March 17          Saturday            Portland at FC Dallas

March 24          Saturday            Portland at New England

March 31          Saturday            Real Salt Lake at Portland

April 7              Saturday            Chivas USA at Portland

April 14            Saturday            Portland at Los Angeles

April 21            Saturday            Sporting KC at Portland

April 28            Saturday            Portland at Montreal

May 5              Saturday            Columbus at Portland

May 15            Tuesday              Portland at Houston

May 20            Sunday               Chicago at Portland

May 26            Saturday             Vancouver at Portland

June 17            Sunday              Portland at Los Angeles

June 24            Sunday              Seattle at Portland                            ESPN

June 30            Saturday            Portland at Colorado

July 3               Tuesday             San Joes at Portland

July 7                Saturday           Portland at Real Salt Lake

July 14              Saturday            Los Angeles at Portland                     NBC Sports

July 18              Wednesday        Portland at Chivas USA

July 21              Saturday            Portland at FC Dallas

July 28              Saturday            Chivas USA at Portland

August 5            Sunday              FC Dallas at Portland

August 15          Wednesday         Portland at Toronto FC

August 19          Sunday               Portland at New York

August 25           Saturday             Vancouver at Portland

August 31           Friday                 Colorado at Portland                        NBC Sports

September 5       Wednesday          Portland at Colorado                        NBC Sports

September 15      Saturday            Seattle at Portland                           NBC

September 19      Wednesday         Portland at San Jose           

September 22      Saturday             Portland at Real Salt Lake                  NBC Sports

September 29       Saturday            DC United at Portland                        NBC Sports

October 7              Sunday              Portland at Seattle                            ESPN

October 20            Saturday            Portland at Vancouver

October 27            Saturday            San Jose at Portland                          NBC Sports