BEAVERTON — It’s been a week of comings and goings for the Portland Timbers as MLS’ primary transfer window closed Wednesday. Let’s begin with the new addition: Omir Fernandez. The Timbers’ acquisition of Omir Fernandez from the Colorado Rapids came without a hefty price. Portland paid Colorado $200,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $50,000 in conditional 2026 GAM for a player who is under contract through 2026 with a club option for 2027. While the 26-year-old from the Bronx isn’t expected to come in and challenge for a starting job, he’s a versatile midfielder who can play a handful of positions — the type of depth add that will come in handy as the season progresses. A six-year MLS vet, Fernandez tallied two goals and five assists in 41 appearances with Colorado since 2024. “I’m an attacking player who prides himself on his technical ability and creating chances,” Fernandez said. “Something I can see, even in the first two days, is that their attackers are very dangerous, and a lot of quality here. So that’s what I’m excited about and hopefully I can contribute to that in many ways.” It’s been a whirlwind of a week for Fernandez. On Friday, he was ready to travel with Colorado for the Rapids game against Houston, but was told in the locker room before that day’s training session that a deal had gone through. He got in touch with the Timbers, who suggested he pack two weeks of clothing and get ready to live in a hotel downtown. “A lot of moving, not really time to think and process,” he said. “I think just now, even in training, is when I get to relax and kind of just get back to normal. “But it’s just how you would imagine, one day you’re here, and then next you kind of pick up and move and try to get here as quickly as possible, because at the end of the day, there’s a game this weekend against a really good team in LA Galaxy.” While Tuesday’s training session served up a lot of hellos as Fernandez met with the media for the first time, there were also a lot of goodbyes said from players and staff to Paloma Alatorre, Portland’s director of communications. Alatorre has carried a lot of responsibilities since joining the club in 2021, with one of her most important jobs serving as a translator for the team’s Spanish-speaking players during media availabilities. When you’ve read quotes from players such as David Da Costa or Santiago Moreno or David Ayala or Felipe Mora, it’s always through Alatorre. She’s leaving Portland this week for a job with FIFA in Miami, but first, she agreed to an I-5 Corridor Exit Interview about providing a voice for much of Portland’s roster. The Paloma Alatorre Exit Interview Q: With all the time you’ve spent at this facility, what’s today like now that it’s your last? It feels a little surreal. I came here in July of 2021, and it just feels like home now, especially the training facility. The staff — obviously. I’ve worked with two head coaches who I love dearly, both of them. The players, just such a great group and I really do see them as family. So today’s just kind of bittersweet. I’m excited for the next step and I think it’s a good growth opportunity, but I also know that I wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity without all of my years here. So I feel very sad. Q: Is it daunting to make such a large move? That’s about as far as you can go. Portland isn’t my home — if it were, I think I could see myself here a lot longer. But it’s challenging. I’m an immigrant. My two brothers and I grew up always writing down goals in the ceiling in the bedroom and we never stopped. I came to the US when I was 16, in 2010. I went to school, did my bachelor’s, played college tennis and then did my master’s. After that, I went straight into a full-time job in soccer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Like I said, I think it’s the immigrant mentality of you never stop and you want to make your family proud for all the sacrifices your parents have made. So yeah, for me, FIFA is the top of the top and I couldn’t say no to that. Q: How well do you think we in the media represent the Spanish-speaking players? And how do you view the responsibility you had in being the voice for them? Anyone who knows me knows that’s what I feel the most passionate about. It’s probably because of my background, I know how hard it is. Creating those relationships with players, hearing their stories, just chitchatting — I feel closer to them and I think they all have insanely incredible stories. For me, that was my biggest goal is to try to get people here to know them better. I think an example of one that I think I have tried to put his story out there because it really is such an incredible story, with how he’s here now with his upbringing and everything, is Santiago Moreno. His first day with the club was my first day, too, so we have that special bond. So those kinds of things I tried to put out there, and hopefully I did a good job pitching those stories because I want people and fans to know that they are incredible people. Q: What was your favorite game or moment? The one moment that sticks out to me was Felipe Mora’s goal in the last minute of the Cup. I literally passed out because I was so excited for a few seconds. I had to go in and drink a Sprite because it was too much euphoria. Felipe is someone I also feel very connected to and care about very dearly, so that was an insane moment. Q: Was that surprising to you that in a place that you’re not from and a team you probably didn’t follow before you moved here could get you to feel that way? I never expected that at all because Portland is so the polar opposite from my actual home in Guadalajara. But it was easy, honestly. The people that I work with, the players and staff, everyone is just like a family. The position I took with FIFA is amazing and I’m very excited, but that was the hardest decision I’ve had to make. I can’t even think about not coming here anymore. Q: What is your job with FIFA? I’m going to be part of a team that takes care of media — media relations, making sure media are all set with credentialing and things like that. And obviously for the Club World Cup and the World Cup, media from all over the world are going to be coming and I think I have good experience with visa stuff as an immigrant, so I think I’ll be helpful in that way. Q: I imagine being in Miami is a bit of a quicker trip home than Portland. Yes. And cheaper. This article originally appeared in The I-5 Corridor. — Tyson Alger