PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers announced today that the club has released goalkeeper Curtis Spiteri. Spiteri started all but two matches for the Timbers this season before leaving the team June 20 to try out for Karlsruher S.C. of the German Second Division.
"The timing of Spiteri's trial in Germany couldn't have come at worse time," said Timbers G.M. Jim Taylor. "A good number of player contracts become guaranteed effective July 1 through the remainder of the season and we weren't in a position to carry three 'keepers. We certainly appreciate his contributions this year and hope that things will work out for him in Germany."
In 10 starts with the Timbers, Spiteri allowed 17 goals and notched 38 saves while compiling a 3-7-0 record on the season.
Spiteri was the Timbers' second round pick in the 2003 A-League Draft from the University of Portland, where he played from 1999-2002 and was named to the all-Far West team his senior season.
Spiteri's replacement, Josh Saunders, is on loan from the San Jose Earthquakes for the remainder of the season. Saunders has started two matches for the Timbers thus far, registering shutout victories in both appearances.
