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Dallas Burn defender Carey Talley trips up DC United's Freddy Adu as the Burn beat DC United 5-1 at the Cotton Bowl Saturday night in a photo taken on July 24, 2004. (LOUIS DeLUCA/Staff Photographer)

TUCSON, Arizona -- Three more players will join the Portland Timbers for preseason training in Arizona in the next several days.

Costa Rican defender Jhamir Ordain, former Timbers forward Ryan Johnson and Freddy Adu, who was once considered soccer's child prodigy, are all expected to join the Timbers for training in Tucson, Arizona in the next several days.

The Timbers have always invited a handful of non-rostered players to preseason and, usually, the chances of those invitees making the roster is slim.

"No idea where they'll shake out, but we don't bring guys in just to bring them in," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "Obviously, we want to take a look... We'll see how they do."

Adu, who was once referred to as "America's Pele," is most well-known for being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United when he was just 14. He never lived up to the largely unfair expectations and has had a journeyman's career, spending time in places like Turkey, Portugal and Greece, having multiple stints in MLS and most recently competing for USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Adu, who is now 27, does have a history with Porter. Adu played under Porter on the U.S. Men's National Team U-23 side in 2012.

"Freddy Adu, obviously, I know through the U-23s and he's been asking for a trial," Porter said. "I know the player. I know he hasn't been in form as much recently in the last several years. I have no idea where he's at, to be honest, but I do know four years ago with the U-23s, he was one of our best players... We'll see how he looks. I have no idea how that's going to work out, like most of the trialists. It's a trial for a reason."

Johnson, who trained with Portland during preseason last year as well, spent one year with the Timbers in 2013, recording nine goals and four assists in 21 starts. Since then, he's spent time in China and South Korea and most recently played for North American Soccer League side Rayo OKC.

"Obviously, Ryan Johnson we know," Porter said. "He was with us several years ago and left. He's been overseas for a couple years. We still have his rights, so he wanted to come back in and we wanted to get a look at him just to kind of see how he looks."

Ordain was linked to the Timbers through reports out of Costa Rica this week. The Timbers will be taking a look at Ordain as possible depth at center back and right back.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg