Timbers sign four, including former First Division top draft pick McAthy

PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers today signed forward Drew McAthy, midfielder Oral Bullen and defenders Salim Bullen and Jacobi Goodfellow.




“I am very pleased with today’s wave of signings,” said Chris Agnello, head coach and general manager of the Timbers. “Salim and Jacobi will add strength and speed to the defense for 2006; Drew and Oral will add some flair and character to our attacking abilities.”




McAthy, 23, was drafted No. 1 overall by the Puerto Rico Islanders in the 2005 USL First Division College Player Draft. McAthy, also drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft, went on to play 23 games with the Islanders during their inaugural season, scoring a goal in the team’s final game against Toronto.




Prior to turning professional, McAthy led UC-Santa Barbara to the NCAA Men’s Division I championship game in 2004, where he was named the College Cup’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player. McAthy registered two goals and an assist in the Gauchos’ 5-0 semifinal win over Duke and logged the team’s lone regulation goal in the title game that saw the Indiana Hoosiers repeat as champions in a penalty kick shootout.




McAthy, who also played with Orange County (2003) and Cape Cod (2004) in the USL’s Premier Development League, finished his career at UCSB as the school's all-time scoring leader with 122 career points and 53 career goals.




Oral Bullen, 23, compiled 21 goals and 12 assists over a four-year career as a forward at the University of Massachusetts. He captained the Minutemen for both his junior and senior seasons and completed his college career as one of the top all-time scorers at UMass. Oral was also an Atlantic 10 All-Conference second team selection after his junior (2004) and senior seasons (2005).




Salim Bullen, 21, helped lead Bradley University to a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship in 2005 after the Braves matched a school record with 15 victories. Over his four-year collegiate career at Bradley, Salim tallied three goals and nine assists, starting 21 games for the Braves during his senior season while earning second team All-Conference accolades. Salim is the cousin of Oral Bullen, and the two played prep soccer together at Martin Luther King High School in New York City.




Goodfellow, 29, helped lead the Agnello-coached Utah Blitzz to the USL Pro Soccer League championship in 2004. The previous season, Goodfellow played with the Wilmington Hammerheads, who went on to win the 2003 USL Pro Select League title.




Goodfellow was a third-round draft choice of the A-League’s Hampton Roads Mariners in 2002 following a standout collegiate career at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla.




The Seattle, Wash., native played briefly for the Los Angeles Galaxy reserves in 2005.




Portland kicks off its sixth USL First Division season on Saturday, April 22, against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Swangard Stadium. The Timbers open up the home portion of their season by playing host to the Whitecaps at PGE Park on Friday, May 5. A variety of season ticket options are available by calling the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555. For ticket information, go to www.portlandtimbers.com.