PORTLAND, Ore.
– The Portland Timbers have re-signed midfielder
Neil Dombrowski
for the 2008 season, it was announced today. Additionally, the Timbers have also signed former Univ. of Portland standout, midfielder
Miguel Guante
for 2008.
Dombrowski returns to Portland for a second season, while Guante joins the Timbers after completing his rookie season with Miami FC in 2007.
“Neil and Miguel are both young, hard-working players with experience in the USL First Division,” said
Gavin Wilkinson
, Timbers head coach and general manager. “They will both be given opportunities to perform and will be expected to contribute both on and off the field in a large capacity.”
Dombrowski, 24, played 1,081 minutes in 19 matches for the Timbers in 2007 before he was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury on August 26 in Puerto Rico. The West Allis, Wisc., native scored a goal against the Montreal Impact on June 21 to earn USL First Division Team of the Week honors for Week 10.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Timbers for the 2008 season,” said Dombrowski. “I'm excited to return fit and fully recovered from my injury and improve on my performances from last year. I’m looking forward to rejoining my teammates and building upon last season’s success in effort to bring a championship to Portland.”
He began his professional career with the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 2006 before joining the Timbers last season. Dombrowski received numerous accolades during his collegiate career at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including All-Horizon League first-team honors in 2005.
Guante, 23, logged 357 minutes in seven matches with Miami FC last season after joining the team in July. The Ft. Huachaca, Ariz., native ended his rookie campaign in 2007 as a guest player for the Timbers in an exhibition match against Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC in which he tallied a goal and an assist. Guante played both as a midfielder and defender at the Univ. of Portland, and was a four-time All-West Coast Conference second-team selection. Following his collegiate career, he was selected by FC Dallas in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft.
The announcement brings the Timbers’ list of signed roster players to 10.
Timbers’ 2008 season tickets, starting as low as $142.50, and various ticket packages are currently available. Fans who purchase 2008 season tickets before Jan. 7 receive a wood slab signed by Timbers players. For more information, call the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or log on to
www.portlandtimbers.com
.
