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Mikael Silvestre

(Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

Center back Mikael Silvestre will not be part of the Portland Timbers 2014 plans, a source confirmed to The Oregonian Friday.

Silvestre started eight games at center back for the Timbers in 2013 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee against the New England Revolution in May.

The Timbers had signed Silvestre to a two-year contract and it was originally expected that he would be healthy enough to compete for a spot at center back during the 2014 season.

But during the offseason, the Timbers acquired Argentine center back Norberto Paparatto and signed defender Bryan Gallego to a homegrown contract, adding considerable depth to Portland’s already deep back line, and making it unlikely that Silvestre would play a significant role in 2014 if he stayed with the Timbers.

-- Jamie Goldberg