PORTLAND – Solomon Islands international striker Benjamin Totori faces a four week lay-off after suffering a sprained right medial collateral ligament injury during a match against Montreal Impact a fortnight ago.

Totori’s injury is a setback for the 22 year old former Waitakere United striker who has made just two appearances for his new club since leaving Auckland for United States following the Kiwi club’s successful 2007/08 New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League double.

Totori has faced Miami FC Blues and Montreal Impact FC in his two matches to date but looks likely to return to training sometime in July.

Totori made his debut for Portland Timbers as a substitute against Miami FC Blues in a 0-2 defeat before making another substitute appearance in the club’s 1-0 win over Montreal Impact. Totori suffered the injury in the final minute of the match and was replaced by former Auckland City FC midfielder Bryan Little.

The Solomon Islanders American adventure got off to a positive start on his debut appearance with the Portland Timbers club website reporting:

"New Timbers forward Benjamin Totori made his debut against Miami FC on Monday entering the game at the start of the second half adding life to a 10-man Timbers side.

In the 60th minute, Totori unleashed one of his three shots on the day from the top of the box. He was able to turn his defender to create space for a one-on-one attempt with Saunders.

As Totori took the shot, Saunders charged to the penalty spot and knocked down the Solomon Islander’s shot at the right post."

Totori’s career is just 64 minutes old and this latest development comes at an awkward moment for the youngster with Timbers coach and former New Zealand international defender Gavin Wilkinson eager for his team to discover some winning form.

The Timbers have experienced a mixed season so far and has reported just two wins in its last seven matches with defeats by Vancouver Whitecaps (1-3) and Hollywood United (1-2), two draws against Minnesota Thunder (0-0) and Atlanta Silverbacks (2-2) to go alongside a friendly win over Italian club Juventus Primavera (1-0) and the Timbers last competition victory over Montreal Impact (1-0).

Portland Timbers next match is against Carolina RailHawks on 27 June.

Photograph courtesy Portland Timbers.

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To watch Benjamin Totori in action for Portland Timbers against Miami FC click here