PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers today signed defender Josh Brown, midfielders Troy Ready and Mike Randolph and goalkeeper Devin Zimmerman.
The Timbers have also come to a mutual agreement with reserve goalkeeper Sam Reynolds to release him from the final year of his contract.
Brown, 22, spent the 2005 season playing for the University of New Mexico after playing the previous three seasons at the University of Portland. A Portland native and Jesuit High School graduate, Brown helped guide the Lobos to their first NCAA Tournament final in school history in 2005, starting in 22 of 23 games, including all five NCAA tournament games.
Brown led the Pilots to NCAA Tournament appearances in three consecutive years (2002-04) and scored the game-winning goal in the first round of the 2003 tournament, elevating the University of Portland past Oregon State, 3-2. Brown was a two-year starter with the Pilots and was elected first team All-West Coast Conference and third team All-Far West Region his junior year.
“All of today’s signings are more than capable of contributing to the success of the team,” said Chris Agnello, head coach and general manager of the Timbers. “Zimmerman and Brown provide depth in defense, and Randolph and Ready give us balance on our left flank.”
Ready, 26, joins the Timbers from the Cascade Surge, where he spent the 2005 season. A former University of Washington midfielder, he earned Pac-10 All-Academic honors his junior year. Prior to joining the Surge, Ready also spent time with the Spokane Shadow of the Premier Development League, ranking second all-time among the franchise’s career leaders in games played (74).
Randolph, 20, guided Yavapai College to a 24-2 record and an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference championship in 2005. He also led the RoughRiders to a nationwide second-place finish in the NJCAA last season. Randolph was named ACCAC Player of the Year and was selected as a member of the NJCAA Region One first team.
Zimmerman, 25, played at Fort Lewis College in 2000-01, starting all 21 games in 2001. During that season, he recorded five shutouts and averaged only 1.37 goals allowed per game, helping his team to a 14-7 record. Zimmerman finished his career at Fort Lewis ranked fourth all-time in both goals-against average (1.31) and shutouts (6).
Portland kicks off its sixth USL First Division season on Saturday, April 22, against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium. The Timbers open up the home portion of their season by playing host to the Whitecaps at PGE Park on Friday, May 5. A variety of season ticket options are available by calling the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555. For ticket information, go to www.portlandtimbers.com.
