PORTLAND, Ore. –
In recognition of his exemplary efforts in making a difference off the playing field this season, Portland Timbers midfielder
Miguel Guante
today was named the club’s Community Player of the Year for the 2008 season.
Guante, 24, most exemplified the goals of the Timbers Community Outreach Program by making a positive impact on community values, and lending his time and energy to a number of causes and philanthropic activities throughout the season.
“Our involvement in the community is among the most important things that we do, and no one has displayed our commitment and enthusiasm to community outreach more this season than Miguel Guante,” said
Merritt Paulson
, president of the Timbers. “Miguel has a passion for working with youth and using the sport of soccer to connect with different communities in an effort to positively impact lives.”
Among his many contributions, Guante lent his time, and his hair, to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation visiting with families impacted by cancer and was one of many people who had their head shaved in support of research for childhood cancers; spent time at Cornelius Elementary School sharing with kids the importance of teamwork, goal-setting, and being a positive team member; was a key contributor in the team’s outreach into Latino communities; was an active member of the Timbers’ summer camps program and also coached youth teams in the greater-Portland area.
Prior to tonight’s match against Miami, Guante will be presented with a commemorative painting produced by local artist Ken Rumbaugh in recognition of his efforts throughout the season.
In his first season with the Timbers, Guante has played in 23 matches and logged over 1,500 minutes, two goals and one assist. Returning to the Rose City for his professional career, Guante was a four-time All-West Coast Conference selection at the University of Portland.
Guante joins an esteemed list of players who have made remarkable efforts in community outreach in recent years, including midfielders
Brian Winters
(2005),
Tom Poltl
(2006) and
Kiki Lara
(2007).
