The Portland Timbers have decided to close the book on the Kerrea Gilbert saga.



Timbers technical director Gavin Wilkinson said the team will no longer try to bring Gilbert into the United States to play soccer for the team this season.



"It came down to the fact that his P1 Visa was denied," Wilkinson said Friday morning. "He will not be joining us this year."



The whole process has been a series of twists and turns since the team signed the former Arsenal defender in December. There were documented arrests, court appearances, accusations and subsequent denials.



However, with the team's first-ever MLS game at Colorado just hours away, Wilkinson said the Timbers had to eliminate any uncertainty surrounding the team and move on.



"It was taking too long. We always had a deadline on it and that deadline was extended a little bit," Wilkinson said. "Going into the first game of the season, I think it was important that the fans, the players and the coaching staff to know what we've got and what areas we need (to address) without continuing down a path where we don't know what the outcome will be."



A P1 entertainment visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and entertainers to enter into the United States for a specific event, competition or performance.



Stay tuned to Oregon Live for more information.



-- Geoffrey C. Arnold



