Timbers sign Zac McGraw to contract extension through 2025

Centerback Zac McGraw has signed a contract extension with the Portland Timbers that will keep him in Portland through the 2025 season with a club option for the 2026 season.

The 25-year-old defender made 22 appearances (11 starts) this past season for the Timbers, his second season with the club since being drafted in the third round, 68th overall, by Portland in the 2020 MLS Super Draft.

McGraw became the first player drafted out of Army-West Point in MLS history.

He scored his first career MLS goal in a 2-1 Portland victory on the road at Austin FC on Aug. 31st, 2022.

More from the Portland Timbers press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that the club has signed defender Zac McGraw to a contract extension through the 2025 season with a club option in 2026.

“Zac has continued to grow and develop as a professional during his time in Portland,” Timbers technical director Ned Grabavoy shared. “This commitment shows our belief that he is capable of continuing to take on an increased role within the team.”

McGraw, 25, has made 33 regular season appearances (13 starts) in two seasons with the Timbers. In his 2021 rookie campaign, McGraw played in 11 matches for Portland, earning two starts. The Torrence, California native went on to make 22 appearances (11 starts) in the 2022 season, scoring his first professional goal in a 2-1 victory over Austin FC on Aug. 31. McGraw finished the 2022 campaign tied for a team-leading 52 headed clearances. Notably, McGraw became the first Army player drafted in MLS history in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.

“I’m pleased that Zac will continue to be a part of our team. Zac has grown immensely in the past two seasons after joining the Timbers as a rookie in 2021,” said Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese. “He has an incredible work ethic, and I have no doubt that he’ll continue to be an asset to our team.”

Transaction: Portland Timbers sign defender Zac McGraw to a contract extension through the 2025 season with a club option in 2026.