TUCSON, Arizona - It was Alvas Powell's idea.

Throughout 2015, he couldn't help but wonder what teammate Nat Borchers would look like if he changed the color of his famous red beard. So, Powell decided to make an arrangement.

If the Portland Timbers made the playoffs, Borchers would dye his beard green and Powell would color his hair blue and orange in support of Borchers' beloved Denver Broncos.

The defending 2015 MLS Cup Champion Timbers, of course, clinched that playoff spot and two days later, Borchers walked into the locker room with a bright green beard, smiling as he caught a glimpse of the now blue-haired Powell.

"He was supposed to dye his hair Bronco blue and orange, but the orange apparently didn't come out," Borchers said. "So, the blue was the only thing in his hair."

Borchers and Powell couldn't be more different. One is a 34-year-old MLS veteran from Pueblo, Colorado and a vocal leader in Portland's locker room; the other is a soft-spoken and shy 21-year-old from a remote village in the eastern part of Jamaica.

But over the last year, the two defenders have developed an unlikely, but tight-knit relationship on and off the field.

"I think it's a really good combination because with Alvas, you have a world-class athlete and he's still learning the game, all the nuances, and then you have Nat, who is just a salty, grizzly vet that knows the game inside and out," Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "It's kind of the odd couple that fits together."

The friendship began early in the 2015 preseason.

Powell and Borchers play next to each other in Portland's lineup and it was critical for the two defenders to quickly learn to trust each other if the Timbers hoped to have a strong defensive year in 2015.

From the get-go, Borchers made an effort to mentor Powell, giving the young right back directions on the field and pushing him to be confident in his decisions as he tried to help Powell continue to grow as a player.

"On and off the field, he talks to me a lot," Powell said. "That's what I need. He's been in the league for many years and I can learn from him. ... Each day in practice, he keeps talking to me. He keeps pushing me to even be better."

While there has been plenty of talk about the relationship and compatibility between Borchers and fellow veteran center back Liam Ridgewell, the on-field camaraderie between Borchers and Powell was also key to Portland's defensive success in 2015.

Powell and Borchers were mainstays on a Timbers' backline that led MLS with 13 clean sheets in 2015 and posted another two shutouts in the playoffs.

"We've learned a lot from each other playing next to each other," Borchers said. "There are always situations on the field where he's got to cover for me and I've got to cover for him, but I think he always knows at this point in our relationship that I've always got his back and I think that's really important in terms of an outside back and center back relationship."

Off the field and in the locker room, Borchers has also tried to push Powell to come out of his shell a bit more.

Last year, Powell mentioned to Borchers that he loved pancakes. The MLS veteran has been trying to invite the young right back out to eat pancakes and explore the city of Portland ever since.

Up until now, Powell, who prefers to spend his time away from the soccer field at home playing FIFA 16 or speaking with his family back in Jamaica, has dodged Borchers' request, but he said he might have to give in and get pancakes with his teammate this year.

"I'm still trying to get him out out to have pancakes with me in Portland," Borchers said. "I'm hoping someone in Portland will host that -- Alvas and Nat at pancakes in the morning."

At training Friday, Borchers yelled out directions to Powell as the Timbers ran through a passing drill. When the club took a quick water break, Borchers jogged over to the 21-year-old to say a few more words.

But even though he is continuing to push Powell on and off the field, Borchers admits that he has already seen immense growth in the young right back in just the last year.

"I think he has come a long way," Borchers said. "I think he's on his way to being one of the best outside backs in the league and I think this is going to be a big season for him."

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg