Homegrown Portland Timbers duo makes MLS debuts in back-to-back games
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- It’s safe to say this Fourth of July was Sawyer Jura’s favorite ever.
On that day, the Bend native swung up from the Timbers 2 squad to the main team. In the 88th minute of the Timbers’ match against Dallas, Jura made his MLS debut.
“I was standing next to Adolfo, and they held up my shirt and at first, I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ said Jura with an ear-to-ear smile. “Once I stepped on the pitch, it felt surreal at first and then the second the play started it felt normal. I tried to take it as another game, but of course it was an amazing feeling.”
Then just four days later Jura’s best friend and fellow Timbers 2 teammate Adolfo Enriquez also swung up to the Timbers squad.
In the 85th minute of the team’s game against Nashville, the Northeast Portland native heard his name called to get his first-ever Timbers minutes in his hometown stadium.
“It was amazing,” said Enriquez. “All my family was there, my friends from school. It felt fake. It didn’t feel real.”
They are both 18 years old now, but the duo’s friendship goes all the way back to when they met while playing U12 soccer for the Timbers.
Understandably, having their debuts come in back-to-back games is something special.
Well, at least you would think.
“I hate this guy,” said Enriquez of Jura with a big laugh. “Nah, I’m kidding, I’m kidding. This my guy. We’ve been through a lot. I’ve slept over at his house so many times. Just boys.”
“We’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs together. He’s always been someone I can lean on. Obviously, to do it with your best friend, there’s not a better dream that you could achieve. It’s way more special than just alone,” said Jura.
Jura has already signed a contract where he will begin playing with the main Timbers team in 2026. Enriquez hopes he is not far behind.
“It’s always been the dream to sign a homegrown. I want to do that for sure and get a lot of minutes with this guy,” said Enriquez motioning to Jura.
Jura certainly echoes that sentiment.
“The next step for us is our first start together— or just get on the pitch together— and then that’ll be a crazy moment as well,” said Jura.