Taku-chan Plays On

Ex-Ardija defender Takuro Nishimura is continuing his trial with USL1 club Portland Timbers, playing 72 minutes in a 0-0 draw on Friday evening with MLS outfit New York Red Bulls. Nishimura, released by the Squirrels at the end of 2008, picked up the plaudits following his performance in Portland's previous pre-season friendly against San Jose Earthquakes and is still working towards getting a contract to join the Timbers' squad alongside former Japan international Takayuki Suzuki.

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