Portland Timbers: This player received a gift that makes him one of the decisive elements of the team

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic has been named to the MLS team of the week for Matchday 7 after keeping his team competitive in a tough 1-0 loss at Vancouver.

In that match, he registered eight saves, including multiple leaping and fingertip efforts with the ball hurtling towards goal. This was his second-most saves in a match behind a career-best nine saves against Toronto FC last season.

Ivacic is no stranger to being recognized by the league; he was named to four MLS teams of the week in 2022 and was tied for the league lead in saves with 112.

He now has 16 saves in three appearances this season as Portland’s regular starter between the wickets following a dispute with head coach Giovanni Savarese and a hamstring injury to David Bingham.

The Timbers’ next match will be at home against their rival Seattle Sounders on Saturday at Providence Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and fans can watch it via live stream available on the Apple TV app with an MLS Season Pass subscription.