PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers today announced the signing of forward/defender Jaime Ambriz and goalkeeper Martin Hutton.
Hutton, 24, comes to Portland on loan from the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. Hutton joined the Dynamo this year after spending his first professional season with the Kansas City Wizards, also of MLS. While with Kansas City, Hutton made three appearances in the Reserve League, allowing four goals. He also made an appearance in the Reserve League this season for Houston, playing all 90 minutes and earning a shutout in his lone match.
Prior to turning pro, Hutton was a collegiate standout at Clemson University and St. Louis University. With the Billikens, Hutton was named third-team all-Conference USA his sophomore year, and was selected to the second-team all-conference and third-team NSCAA all-Midwest Region following his junior season. Hutton posted 14 shutouts and finished his collegiate career with a 1.03 goals-against average.
Ambriz, 27, joins the Timbers after spending last season with Concordia Basel of the Swiss Challenger Division. Ambriz also spent time with FV Lyss and FC Winthertur in Switzerland, scoring 24 goals for Lyss during the 2002-2003 season, a total that led the league. Ambriz earned first-team all-league honors following the season.
Ambriz was also a three-year standout at Cal-Santa Barbara from 1999-2001. After transferring from Santa Barbara City College, Ambriz tied for the Gauchos team lead with eight goals in his first season. Ambriz also led the team in scoring as a junior with six goals, and tallied an additional three goals and six assists his senior year.
“There’s no doubt that Jaime and Martin are great additions to our squad,” said Chris Agnello, head coach and general manager of the Timbers. “Jaime brings great versatility to the team by playing well up front or in defense, and Martin completes our goalkeeping unit, which I think is now the best in the league.”
Up next, the Timbers travel north to face Cascadia Cup rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps. The match will take place on Friday, June 30, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. An internet broadcast of the game is available by going to www.portlandtimbers.com.
