Timbers re-sign veteran Benedetti

PORTLAND, Ore.
- The Portland Timbers have re-signed versatile midfielder Scott Benedetti through the end of the season, it was announced today.




Benedetti, 38, begins his fifth campaign with the club in 2005 and his 13th overall in the United Soccer Leagues, where he has amassed 121 points (51g, 19a) over a career that has spanned three decades.




“Having Benny on the pitch is invaluable, with the knowledge and veteran skill he brings to the club,” Timbers general manager Jim Taylor said. “There are few players, if any, in this league who know the game as he does and his performance as a Timber both on and off the field since 2001 are a testament to that.”




A Portland native who spent his collegiate career at the University of Portland, “Benny” has struck for five goals with the Timbers while playing as a midfielder, forward and defender over the past four seasons.




The only player on the roster who has collected a cap on the U.S. Men’s National Team, Benedetti appeared in an international friendly against Peru in 1996.




At the club level, Benedetti has enjoyed stints with UNAM Pumas of the Mexican First Division, Nottingham Forest of the English First Division and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.




The announcement comes two days before the Timbers kick off against the archrival Seattle Sounders on Saturday, April 9 at PGE Park. Portland will play host to Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS on Wednesday, April 13, also at PGE Park. Tickets for both matches are available at area Ticketmaster outlets and at the Timbers box office at PGE Park.




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 midfielder Scott Benedetti.