T2 signee Brent Richards talks about the long process of recovering from knee surgery and his decision to sign with the Portland Timbers USL club T2.

Richards competed for the Timbers U-23 team from 2009-11 before signing with the Timbers first team as a homegrown player ahead of the 2012 season.

In February of 2013, Richards underwent surgery to repair tears to his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus. He ended up having two subsequent surgeries.

The 24-year-old said he is finally feeling healthy and ready to compete for T2. Richards has played forward in the past, but T2 coach Jay Vidovich is currently taking a look at him at right back.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg