Timbers sign defender Thompson

PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers have signed defender Scot Thompson to a two-year contract, it was announced today.




“I loved every part of playing in Portland,” Thompson said. “The fans are amazing, the city is perfect and Bobby (Howe) is a great coach who gives me the freedom to do what I do best. When I went back to the (Los Angeles) Galaxy last year, I always thought of returning to the Timbers.




“I’m coming back with the expectation of a championship, and I think we have a very strong team that can make it happen.”




Thompson, 23, started in 12 of 13 games played with the Timbers in 2004 after being loaned to Portland from the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS at midseason.




The Timbers allowed just 11 goals in Thompson’s 13 appearances en route to the 2004 A-League regular season championship. Thompson added two assists on the year and was named to the league’s Team of the Week for Week 20.




"Thrilled would be an understatement," Timbers general manager Jim Taylor said of the signing of Thompson. "I think last year we caught a glimpse of just how good a defender Scot Thompson is. I'm very excited to see just how much better he's going to make us over the course of an entire season. He’s an impact player and is going to really help solidify our play at the back."




Drafted by Los Angeles in the second round (16th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, Thompson sat out the 2003 campaign after tearing his ACL in the preseason.




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.




The Timbers will take on the Seattle Sounders in a preseason exhibition match at PGE Park on Saturday, April 9. Portland kicks off the 2005 regular season at PGE Park on Saturday, April 23, against the Toronto Lynx.




Season tickets, club seats, group packages, party suites, flex plans and mini-plans for the 2005 campaign are currently on sale. Timbers’ ticket plans start as low as $77.00 and are available by contacting the team’s ticket office at (503) 553-5555.




TRANSACTION:
Portland Timbers (USL First Division) signed defender Scot Thompson.