PORTLAND
, Ore.
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The Portland Timbers wrapped up the month of July with a spirited and hard-fought draw with the Carolina RailHawks. Among those contributing in the club’s run for a playoff berth are five players up for July’s “Man of the Month” award. Vote today in the fan poll.
The five players up for the title of July’s “Man of the Month” are goalkeeper Brad Knighton, defenders Cameron Knowles and Scot Thompson, midfielder Lawrence Olum and forward Chris Brown.
Voting ends Sunday, Aug. 3 at 12 noon.
Joining the team on July 2 on loan from Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, Knighton appeared in all seven of Portland’s matches during the month of July. He made his Timbers debut on July 3 against Morelia and over the month logged a total of 31 saves. In league play, Knighton, 23, captured his first shutout with the Timbers in a draw with Carolina on July 24 at PGE Park.
Olum, 24, started six of the Timbers seven matches in the month of July, including four at the forward position. Olum tallied his second goal of the season in a 1-1 draw in Atlanta against the Silverbacks on July 18 to pick up his first USL First Division Team of the Week (Week 14) award this season. Against Carolina on July 24, Olum recorded a game-high four shots in the match.
Leading the team and league in minutes played this season, Knowles, 25, played in all but 45 minutes of the Timbers’ seven matches during the month of July. He was a part of the Timbers’ defensive unit that recorded a total of two shutouts in the month of July, posting clean sheets against Mexico’s U.A.N.L. Tigres (exhibition) and Carolina at home.
Thompson started six matches during the month of July, including all four league fixtures. Aiding in the offensive attack, Thompson, 27, recorded three shots in league matches and set up several chances with crosses into the box from the right side. He already has one goal and one assist in 2008.
The Timbers take a trip to the Midwest to battle the Minnesota Thunder on Saturday at Nation Sports Center at 5:05 p.m. (Pacific). Listen to a live broadcast at www.portlandtimbers.com or view a live video webcast through USL Live at www.usllive.com.
Portland’s leading scorer this season, Brown, 31, has played a versatile role for the Timbers during the month of July filling in at both the forward and midfield positions. In addition to two exhibition games, Brown, a native of Portland, Ore., played in all four of the Timbers’ league matches and ranks among league leaders in shots taken with 43.
