PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers today signed midfielder Ronnie Silva and received forward Alan Gordon on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. In addition, the Timbers have released defender Josh Brown and forward Drew McAthy. Portland also announced that defender Scot Thompson will participate in a 10-day trial with England’s Coventry City.
Gordon, 24, returns to the Timbers after joining the L.A. Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) following the 2004 season. Since making his MLS debut on September 25, 2004, Gordon has made 14 appearances for the first team, including seven starts. Gordon has also made seven appearances (6 starts) for the Galaxy’s reserve team, scoring a goal and tallying an assist. Gordon is expected to join the Timbers Friday.
Gordon made his professional debut with the Timbers in 2004 after finishing a standout collegiate career at Oregon State. While with the Timbers, Gordon scored 17 goals and tallied an assist in 27 games, helping lead Portland to a league-best 18-7-3 record. Gordon was named the Rookie of the Year in 2004 for finishing third in the league with 35 points. The forward was also nominated for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
Silva, 23, joins the Timbers after training with the U.S. Sand Soccer Team. Prior to turning professional, Silva played at the collegiate level for three years with the Cal-Poly Mustangs (2002-04). While at Cal-Poly, Silva made 43 appearances (25 starts), netting five goals and recording an assist. Silva played his freshman season at San Diego State, where he made 14 appearances, scoring a goal and tallying two assists.
“We feel that the additions of Ronnie and Alan can help us make the playoffs,” said Chris Agnello, head coach and general manager of the Timbers. “Alan is a high-quality player and he can help us produce up top. Ronnie has a great midfield presence and a great first touch that will really help provide depth in our midfield.”
Thompson, who has scored one goal in 21 appearances for the Timbers this season, will be leaving Friday to participate in a 10-day trial with Coventry City of England’s Coca-Cola Championship. Known as the “Sky Blues,” Coventry participated in an exhibition match against the Timbers on July 8 at PGE Park, a match that the Timbers won 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Coventry’s coaching staff was impressed with Thompson’s performance and requested to take the defender on trial, with the possibility of signing him if the trial is successful. Thompson is under contract with the Timbers through the 2007 season.
The tryout is the second in as many seasons with an English club for Thompson, who was also invited for a trial with Sunderland AFC, formerly of the Barclay’s Premiership. Sunderland played the Timbers to a 0-0 draw on July 23, 2005, at PGE Park.
Brown, 22, played 8 games (4 starts) and 328 minutes with Portland.
McAthy, 23, appeared in 14 games, including 9 starts, while logging 863 minutes for the Timbers.
The Timbers open a six-game home series when they play host to the Minnesota Thunder on Friday at PGE Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
