PORTLAND, Ore.– The Portland Timbers collected two awards for excellence during the 2007 season at United Soccer Leagues’ annual general meetings over the weekend. The Timbers received the USL First Division Communication award and Brad Nicholson, the Timbers director of soccer operations, was selected as the league’s Key Grip award winner.
The Communication award recognizes the team in the USL First Division who most effectively communicates with both local and national media and its fans.
The Key Grip award recognizes one team executive from the league who excels at his or her duties behind the scenes to make the organization operate at its highest potential.
Presented at the USL Awards Gala on Sunday, these awards, among others, are presented each year for outstanding efforts off the field in the USL First Division and other leagues in USL. The awards ceremony also recognized a handful of 10+ clubs, and three people were inducted into the USL Hall of Fame.
The Timbers have earned several postseason honors in 2007. Head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson was selected as the USL First Division Coach of the Year, while goalkeeper Josh Wicks was named USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year. Both defender Cameron Knowles and forward David Hague were finalists for other league honors.
USL First Division Award Winners
Regular Season Champions: Seattle Sounders
Fair Play: Vancouver Whitecaps & Puerto Rico Islanders
Marketing: Carolina RailHawks
Communications: Portland Timbers
Key Grip: Brad Nicholson, Portland Timbers
Executive of the Year: Bart Wiley, Seattle Sounders
Rookie Franchise of the Year: Carolina RailHawks
Organization of the Year: Charleston Battery
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