The Portland Timbers re-signed midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer and defender Lee Morrison, it was announced today.“Both guys were important pieces on last year’s team, and we look forward to them once again playing a significant role in the success of the Timbers in 2007,” said Gavin Wilkinson, head coach of the Timbers. “Luke had a great season in 2006 and I see him developing into one of the dominate players in this league,” said Wilkinson. “Lee has been very consistent on the backline and I look for that to continue; there are high expectations for both guys.”Kreamalmeyer returns for a second season with the Timbers. Last year, the 24-year old midfielder led the team in minutes (2,380), games played (28) and was the team’s leading scorer, notching eight goals on the season. Among the league leaders in several categories, Kreamalmeyer was selected to USL First Division all-league first team. Kreamalmeyer joined the Timbers in 2006 after spending the 2005 season with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (MLS). Finishing his collegiate career among the top scorers at Bradley University, Kreamalmeyer tallied 20 assists and 72 points with the Braves. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team in both his junior and senior seasons. In 2002, Kreamalmeyer scored Bradley’s first NCAA tournament goal in a loss to New Mexico. Morrison, one of the USL franchise’s all-time leaders in minutes and games played, enters his fifth season with the Timbers in 2007. Currently ranked fourth in both categories, Morrison, 26, has played in 102 games and 8,484 minutes since joining the club in 2003. In 2006, Morrison became one of just eight players in Timbers modern history to play in all 28 regular season matches logging 2,191 minutes. The Carmichael, Calif., native was selected 16th overall by the Dallas Burn in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft after a successful collegiate career at Stanford University. Finishing his career as Stanford’s all-time leader in consecutive games started with 88, Morrison was a First Team All-American and First Team All-Pac-10 selection in 2001 as a senior.The announcement brings the Timbers’ list of signed players to nine.Portland kicks off its seventh USL First Division season at PGE Park on Saturday, April 21 against the Puerto Rico Islanders. A variety of season ticket options are available by calling the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555. For detailed ticket information, go to www.portlandtimbers.com.
