PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today the signing of defender Justin Thompson for the 2007 season. The North Vancouver, B.C., native recently completed the 2006-07 season with Worcester City FC of England’s Nationwide Conference North and will arrive in Portland on April 30.
Thompson, 26, appeared in 53 matches (49 starts) for Worcester City during the 2006-07 season and scored four goals. A five-year pro, Thompson has split his career with both English and USL First Division sides. Thompson started his career with the English club Bury in 2003 and has since played for Hornchurch (2004-05) and Worcester City (2005-06, 2006-07). In his two seasons with Worcester City, Thompson made 97 appearances and scored five goals.
Between English seasons, Thompson played for the Vancouver Whitecaps (2004) and Virginia Beach Mariners (2005) of the USL First Division.
Prior to his professional career, Thompson was a member the U-18, U-20 and U-23 Canadian National Teams. In 2001, he competed with Canada’s U-20 squad in the FIFA World Youth Championships in Argentina and saw action in the CONCACAF U-20 qualifying tournament. Thompson made his Canadian Olympic team debut in May of 2002 and earned six caps with the U-23 squad during 2004 Olympic qualifying matches.
Thompson was a standout at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. As a forward at Fairfield, Thompson scored 15 goals and recorded 13 assists in three seasons with the Stags. Leading the team in scoring his junior and senior seasons, Thompson finished his collegiate career as Fairfield’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 43 points. He was an All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) first-team selection his senior year.
Thompson will join his new teammates for the Timbers’ first road match of the season in Seattle against the Sounders on May 5 at Qwest Field. Thompson could make his Portland debut on May 9 when the Timbers host Mexico’s Club Necaxa at PGE Park. For ticket information please call (503) 553-5555.
