PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers today announced that defender Scot Thompson is traveling to England to undergo a tryout with Walsall FC of England’s Coca-Cola League Two.
It is the third such trial for Thompson, 25, who will be participating in a 14-day tryout with the Staffordshire-based club. Thompson also participated in tryouts with Sunderland AFC in 2005 and Coventry City FC earlier this year.
In the better part of three seasons in Portland, Thompson has made 61 appearances while amassing more than 5,289 minutes for the Timbers. Thompson has also tallied five goals while adding four assists despite making all of his appearances in defense.
Thompson joined the Timbers midway through the 2004 season on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, starting in 12 of 13 matches during his first year in Portland.
A four-time member of the USL First Division Team of the Week since joining the Timbers, Thompson was also a finalist for the league’s 2005 Defender of the Year award.
“Scot has been an anchor on this team for many years,” said Gavin Wilkinson, head coach and general manager of the Timbers. “While I would love to have his services next season, this is too good of an opportunity for him, and I wish him the best of luck.”
Drafted by the Galaxy in the second round (16th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Thompson was a member of the U.S. U-18 National Team pool in high school before becoming a standout defender at UCLA, where he was named to the Pac-10’s first team his senior year.
